Where to go, where to stay?

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jjach

Contributor
Messages
133
Reaction score
25
Location
Chicago area
# of dives
100 - 199
First some background, my wife and I are advanced divers with about 40 dives. Half in Cozumel and the other half in quarries in the midwest. We are not into the bar scene or late nights.We are not looking for a 5 star resort but want something clean and comfortable, with a few creature comforts. Good food is a plus. We have been looking into Belize, Bonair and Roatan for a trip in the spring. I am leaning toward Roatan. I have been trying to learn as much as I can about the 3 different islands, talk about info overload. Alot of you recommend cocoview, it sounds like a pretty good resort. I do like the idea of having the dive shop on the premises so I don't have to lug all the diving gear around. One of my questions is about the difference between staying there and staying closer to West end? What is the difference between diving one side of the island versus the other? We want to be able to take a day and see some of the sights of the island, but also have some days that we can do 3 or 4 dives. Plus a few night dives. From some of the things I have read FI does not appeal to us. There are so many resorts that it is hard to tell if one is any better than the other. Any info you can give us would be appreciated.
One more question. We plan on attending the dive show in Chicago that is held in January or February, does anyone know if some of the resorts have specials that you can get from these shows?
Thanks
jjach
 
A lot of the information you desire is easy to find here on SCUBABoard.

If you are only looking for three dives a day, and an occasional fourth, even the day dive ops that populate the North and West can satisfy your needs. Economically they lose ground anytime past 3 dives in a day. If you want four a day plus a night dive, CoCoView is the place to go. Most all of the AI's can deliver three a day economically without much work on your part, but anywhere else, the Night Dive is an optional fee and there is usually a minimum number of divers required. Most day-dive ops plan and announce one per week. Literally, if you fell off the steps of your Cabana, you'd be on the shore dive/night dive. I do sometimes two a night at CCV, but that's just me.... and about a half a dozen others!

You won't have to lug your gear, even at a West End shop, but you will have to lug yourself, back and forth from your room to dive-op to boat. CCV has that extra edge in that is is really on its own private island- no outsiders nearby. You can leave your gear and computers lying about unattended. The doors have locks, but are seldom used.

You're about to hear all sorts of things about the differences in diving from one side to the other. The easiest meter of the type of diving? All of the professionals who are nuts for Macro stay at CCV. http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=3139 There you will find two intact wrecks in very shallow water (30~65'), one of them is the night/shore dive from CCV/FIBR. The reefs there are always in Sunlight and they are very shallow- this is an incubator for incredible growth- critters and corals alike. It works the same way above water- Norther exposures are darker and have more moss. Southern exposures, exposed to so much Sunlight look a lot different. Not to everyone's liking, but it works for those macro shooters.

CCV is pretty well booked up, but it doesn't hurt to try. It is a dive resort for divers, built by divers- on a site selected by divers. Very few other places in the Caribbean can say that, certainly the only one on Roatan. Still~ It aint for everybody. It's very common to get 5x a day plus an afternoon nap.

The North side has two very deep wrecks (100'+) and they are getting tattered by the occasional heavy storm surge. The North & West have the blessing of being in the Marine Reserve so they are seeing a good resurgence in larger fish and crabs. There is one shore dive, it is a long snorkel out from its resort. Other than that one North side resort, night diving has to be reserved in advance hoping they fill the boat.

In that you say you have no need for the bar scene or late nights, the other major draw of the West End is not an issue for you. If you are looking for the party scene on Roatan, the West End has the market cornered! At least one evening during your week, you might go to one of the 2 or three better restaurants there. I advise against the South side's Romeos or Geos, the common venue for FIBR and CCV divers. They are nice, but not much different than any place in Florida. Try "The View" instead. On Friday, your off-gassing day, there are island tours to take you out-and-about for some shopping and sightseeing.

No side, South or North & West is all things to all people, altho some folks who are employed there try to say that. You have to find what works for you.

I'll see you at the dive show, Our World Underwater Feb 20-22. If they are really desperate, I'll likely be a speaker there. Look me up!
 
Yeah...what Doc said.....and don't miss...in fact make a point in looking up Doc at the show in Chicago...like he said he will probably be a speaker and you can probably find him hangin out at the CoCo View booth....a wealth of knowledge and a great person to talk to...love ya Doc:blinking:
 
jjach.

My husband and myself have been to Roatan twice, stayed at Banarama on West Bay and dove with their dive shop both times. The Resort is no frills, very clean and literally 50 steps from the shore. We have also been diving in the USVI, BVI, Bermuda, Belize and Turks and Caicos. I'll be glad to provide more info if you're still looking......
 

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