Want to dive Bay Islands in Oct... too many choices!

[Heymo]

HI all. My husband and I are considering going to the Bay Islands (Roatan or Utila) in October. We've never been there diving before, and I have done some research to the properties on both islands. There seem to be as many opinions for a resort as there are ones against a resort! Originally we were considering Anthony's Key, since they have a special going (stay 7 days- pay for 5) but the dates we'd prefer to go are while they are closed. CoCo View got some good reviews, but their website isn't exactly helpful.

And as for Utila- I am concerned about the flights from San Pedro Sula...it seems many people have trouble with flights being canceled, etc. We were looking at either Mango Inn, Utila Lodge or Deep Blue. If there are other options...please share!

So, what's a girl to do? We are advanced divers, not all that interested in partying until all hours, and aren't looking for fancy accommodations. (If it's got a comfy bed and a shower that works...and maybe some air conditioning...we're good.)

Our other issue is trying to get there from Detroit...but that's another matter.

 

[sbaggs]

Our trip to Deep Blue Resort last year is still one of my favorites. They have a great dive crew who took their time to get to know you, what you like to see, and allowed you the freedom of using up all your air. We spent a week after that in Roatan, but I preferred the diving in Utila. That may have been partly due to the fact that we were staying at Luna Beach and didn't much like their dive operation. The accomodations at Deep Blue are pretty basic, but they did have a nice bed, a shower, and AC and the food was pretty darn good.

 

[offthewall1]

You cant really go wrong at Anthony's... but if you don't mind staying off the water... we've stayed twice at The Inn of Last Resort... both times in October. October is notrious for Hurricanes in that region... so be ready for anything.

Utila Lodge is exceptional... but yes, Utila and Guanaja are much more out of the way and harder to reach.

Enjoy... the Diving at either location is phenominal

 

[Papa_Bear]

I love it that time of year! Here are some pictures and video at our site:
Two Tanked Productions HD & SD Underwater Productions and video services

You might consider BIBR:
Two Tanked Productions HD & SD Underwater Productions and video services

 

[Heymo]

Thanks for all the info. I've read that SOSA is notorious for canceling flights from San Pedro Sula to Utila- what airline have you flown and had good luck with?

Papa Bear- I've some of your photos before- they're wonderful! I just bought a Canon G-9 and an Ikelite housing...can't wait to try it out!

One more question...Would we be better off going in November instead of October?

 

[Doc]

Originally we were considering Anthony's Key.... CoCo View got some good reviews, but their website isn't exactly helpful.

When I first read this I wondered what you had been smoking. Mea culpa!

Then I went and had a look at AKR's new website. Wow- what a revamp and great presentation! And the prices are finally back down to Earth (for a few specials). Bravo to AKR for finally putting that great resort in a good internet light.

CoCoView's website is typical of CCV. They really don't have to "market" the place, still~ all the info is there... not as drop-down-box snappy as the new AKR site, but it is all there. This is what it is, believe it or....

Best source of CCV info is at CoCo Chat That's where all the habitues hang their snorkels. It is easy to get 5x a day at the South side's CCV.

AKR is excellent for families, but they make most of their money from cruise ship traffic. It is close to the West End, so you can break away for a bar or a restaurant change quite easily. Their diving process is rather time consuming as they take three boats out per day, one tank each. It has quite a set of stairs to climb to the restaurant, but the view is worth it.

October can get pretty rough on the North and West sides.

Decide what you want from the vacation, even beyond what you stated in your original post. If you want maximum BT for your dollar, you really can not beat CCV. Other resorts and options offer different enticements- but for diving- you already have the spot. Look at the number of serious photographers and naturalist divers who keep going back- and keep posting here as well as the u/w photo sites.

And if that isn't your main goal above all else, then- there are lots of other choices. You're about to be deluged.

 

[Bay Island Diver]

As ROATANMAN said. If you want to average 4-5 dives a day, Cocoview seems to get far the best feedback.

If you are a three dive a day person and like to try a different dining location each night look at some of the West End hotels. Cocolobo ($80/night), Posada Arco Iris ($40night) Posada Las Orquideas($40night)Coconut Tree Dive packages Coconut Tree Divers - Roatan, Honduras. You are coming in the lowest of the low season so the rooms should be cheap and there will be no need to book dives in advance.
Weather should be good.

 

[Heymo]

Thanks, Roatan Man. Frankly speaking, when we go on a dive trip it is ALL about the diving. I would prefer a place that isn't crawling with kids (I love kids- but I work in a middle school and would prefer not to be swarmed with them on vacation) Your input is appreciated, as well as everyone else!

 

[charlesml3]

Heymo,

Cocoview is going to be perfect for you then. No kids. Nothing to do there but dive, but what else would you WANT to do with all of that terrific diving right there?

It's the most returned-to dive resort in the Carribbean for a reason...

-Charles

 

[Isaac-1]

I just booked a trip to Coco View a couple of weeks ago (going in mid Sept), we were looking to go there between mid Sept and 1st of Nov., they were already mostly booked for that date range. (there were 2 other weeks in that date range that we could not take off to go, and those were the only other 2 weeks with openings). As far as flights go we are booked Continental's direct flight from Houston (saturdays only), we opted to upgrade to 1st class seats, as chance would have it at the time we booked they were only about $50 per person higher than coach, and not only do we get bigger seats we get a bigger baggage allowance (3/70# per person checked vs 1 50#, and the option to add an second 50# for $25)

Ike