West End/West Bay Dive Ops

[hopefulist]

Hi, all - We're planning to spend a week on Utila and a week on Roatán again this summer. I think we'll be staying at Keifito's, which is between West End and West Bay. Recommendations for dive ops in either WE or WB (thinking WE). My son-in-law will likely be doing his OW Cert and I should have time for a package of 10 fun dives. Thanks in advance for any input you can share.

 

[rleslie]

Most of the replies you will get will recommend Coconut Tree Divers in WE and I agree. Dove with them for 10 days in June and they are great!!!! Not certain where your hotel is, but the owners of Coconit Tree picked me up from WB on three times after we moved from WE to WB (my wife wanted something nicer....ie. more expensive)

Have fun!!!!

Roger

 

[hopefulist]

Thanks - sounds like a good way to go. Best guess this far out is we'll be staying at Keifito's and part of our party will opt for Luna Beach Resort.

 

[Bay Island Diver]

Luna beach is more expensive, but much closer to Keifitos. You may want to do the standard dives with Luna beach as it is nice and close and go on Coconut Tree's fast new boat for their special trips to Mary's place and suchlike.

 

[hopefulist]

Bay Island - Thanks for the advice. The cost actually balances out and doesn't need to be a deciding factor. For example, a 10 dive package costs the same both places and, though the OW course is $75 more than CTD without a lodging package, it's about the same if he's staying there and the pool for the "pool" work could be an advantage if the water is choppy; the Discover Scuba course is cheaper at Luna if he decides to go that route.

Do you have opinions about the quality of the crew at Luna? My few experiences with small dive ops have been fabulous, but we're going in August so the diver numbers are apt to be down. If I hear good stuff about the crew at Luna, I may just check out their dive board when I get there and see if it looks like it will work for me. If every other diver that week is doing their OW cert, CTD's morning dives for those with AOW sound like more fun.

I'll email and ask them, but do you know if Luna's smaller boat is covered? They have a 47' boat for diving but (seems to me) are likely to use the smaller boat they mention (but don't describe) if there aren't many divers.

Thanks again for your input!

 

[Bay Island Diver]

There is such fast turnover in most dive ops that there isn't much point in commenting on their current crew. The small boat is an uncovered skiff there big boat is almost identical to Coconut Tree's older boat Bottom Time.

I think you are very wise choosing to wait until you actually meet the crew to make your decision. The danger of that is that you will miss out on a space with CTD, especially if you want to do their $100 long distance trips

Regards

Will

 

[hopefulist]

Points well taken - thanks again for your help.

 

[rleslie]

The danger of that is that you will miss out on a space with CTD, especially if you want to do their $100 long distance trips

Will

What trips are CTD offering with their new boat and how many divers can it hold? What does the $100 get you?

Roger

 

[Bay Island Diver]

Hey Roger, hows it going?

The new boat will be doing trips to Utila, Mary's Place, Insidious reef, Barbaret and other dive sites we are yet to find! It's my new project!

What it includes will vary, sometimes we will be stopping to BBQ on some nice deserted piece of beach, sometimes stopping in at a nice restaurant we know, such as hole in the wall, sometimes we may cater on the boat, Thai Curry and rice or similar, my own personal speciality! It will depend on what the customers at the time want.

Usually we will only be getting two dives in, but we may sometimes do three, depending on how far we go and/or what topside activities we try to do on the trip.

The boat fits a maximum of 10 customers, has a great sound system, nice flybridge and it seriously moves, with twin 240hp inboard diesels.

I LOVE it.

 

[rleslie]

Hi Will

Sounds like you are having a blast with CTD's new "toy". I can't wait to get aboard her and hopefully taste some of your Thai Curry. John and Sara said it is excellent!!!

Unfortunately, the summer flew by way too fast and we didn't get back down, but we definitely have Roatan on the calender for next spring. We leave for the Bahamas Nov 1 for 6 months of sailing and tons of diving.

Roger