Best Roatan Resort for Non-Diver?

[BoomerTC]

My wife and I are interested in visiting Roatan in Feb, I dive, she doesn't so we were wondering which resort is best for the non-diver?

She likes nice accomodations and a beach to stretch out on, along with good food (don't we all like that?).

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Peter

[ohiodiver]

Hey Peter, we're off to Roatan in 3 weeks, and will be staying at the Luna Beach Resort. I've not been able to find much info here on this resort, as it is fairly new. However, from what I've seen elsewhere (Cruise boards, etc) it appears to be a very nice place for non-divers as well. I'll post a trip report on it when we return since so little info is around as of yet. From everything else I've read here, Anthony's Key seems to be heavily favored by many. I know that not all of the resorts have a pool, which may be important to her - but I know Luna does, and I believe AK does as well. You may also want to stay near the West End - from what I've read that seems to be where most of the non-diving action is. This is our first trip, so I'm not speaking from experience - but I'll know more soon!

[seaangel]

I personnally favor Fantasy Island Resort. They have a very, very nice beach. They also are doing a lot for the non-diver in having various activiites and excursions available for them.

Since AKR was mentioned, I will have to say that last week while we were at Fantasy Island we made a trip to AKR for a dolphin encounter and the no seeums were much worse at AKR than at Fantasy Island. I spoke with the manager at Fantasy Island and he told me that they are spending a lot of money trying to decrease the bug problem.

Rread my post in the thread below this one on my trip there.

[seaangel]

The thread is the "Its settled...we are going to FIBR." I replied yesterday with my report of FIBR from my trip last week.

[smokey braden]

dear boomertc,
i took my non-diving family to akr.
while i was blowing tanks, my wife, son and nephew did all the things that were available.
we all had a good time.
don't forget the deet.
regards,
smokey

[DiversMom]

The food is pretty decent at Luna Beach - at least it was when I was in the area in July. We stayed in a hotel in West End Village and I walked down to Luna Beach one day for breakfast. Pleasant hillside setting. Close enough to walk to West End Village for shopping and restuarants but not smack dab in the middle of everything. BTW, my kid the pizza aficianado likes the pizza at Pura Vida in West End Village. Anxious to hear what you have to report on Luna Beach.

My kid dives, I don't so we stayed in West End Village. I did the shopping and photography thing while kid went diving. I'm not into being baked by the tropical sun so I took a few books and my cross stitch stuff and made excellent use of the hammock on the porch outside our room

We're going back over the Christmas holidays - found a place for $55 a night during the peak holiday period. A/C, hot water, porch hammock, queen size bed, twin bed and kitchenette.

[BoomerTC]

Thanks everyone...

So far it's between FIBR and AKR but I am interested in hearing about your experience at Luna Beach though ohiodiver. Seaangel, thanks for the info, your thread put FIBR on my radar screen.

CCV gets a lot of good reports as well but I don't think it is really for the non-diver. I'm real interested to hear about others non-diving experiences.

Thanks again
Peter

[champ]

If I was a non-diver, I would not want to go to an all inclusive. It is nice to have more variety and places to explore. I would say West Bay (next to west end - walking distance) would be the ideal spot. They have lots of nice hotels and restaurants on a nice beach. Also you are real close to all the dive spots. You can negotiate your dives down to $15/dive(one tank).

[parrotheaddiver]

Thanks everyone...

So far it's between FIBR and AKR but I am interested in hearing about your experience at Luna Beach though ohiodiver. Seaangel, thanks for the info, your thread put FIBR on my radar screen.

CCV gets a lot of good reports as well but I don't think it is really for the non-diver. I'm real interested to hear about others non-diving experiences.

Thanks again
Peter

If it is between FIBR & AKR. IMO FIBR would be the choice. The shore diving is better on this side of the island Plus there is a beach if your wife wants to soak up some rays.

There are several tours that she can take while you are diving. The dolphin thing at AKR can be done from there. There is also a canopy tour (you know where you think your Tarzan). Botanical garden and iguana farm tour. I know there are others but I don't pay much attention to them since I'm there to dive.

I usually stay at CCV and recommend it for divers, and you can access all the tours from there as well. Great shore diving and atmosphere. I wouldn't really recommend Roatan as a non diver place to go I still cannot figure out why the cruise ships stop there. If your wife likes peace and quite there is plenty of that there. Have fun take plenty of DEET or Cactus Juice http://www.cactusjuicetm.com/ to keep the sandfleas off.

[scubajane]

I was at AKR last year and am returning next week. I love the place but have not been to other resorts. Looking at FIBR's website, if I was bringing a non-diver, I think I would end up at FIBR. Between the size of the beach, the pool, and the organized activities, it seems like a better option for a non-diver.

[weber]

Hello Piter,
see here
http://find-only-necessary.com/catalog/resort+diving.htm
and here
http://find-only-necessary.com/catalog/resort+non-diving.htm

Good luck

[Hawk]

The wife and I are also headed there in Feb. We will be staying at CoCo View. They are trying to do more to accomidate non-divers from what we have read from e-mails sent back and forth between the new owners wife (a non-diver) and my wife who does not dive either. I think the wife may be more excited about the trip than I am. I am sure looking forward to this though.


Later, Hawk.

[parrotheaddiver]

The wife and I are also headed there in Feb. We will be staying at CoCo View. They are trying to do more to accomidate non-divers from what we have read from e-mails sent back and forth between the new owners wife (a non-diver) and my wife who does not dive either. I think the wife may be more excited about the trip than I am. I am sure looking forward to this though.


Later, Hawk.

The new owners wife Elizabeth is a diver. I dove with her and her son Wade 3 weeks ago. Any non diving activity you want to do can be arranged through the activities office at the resort. They have just installed a satallite dish for the TV upstairs. They have a bookshelf full of books and games and puzzles. Pool table,& ping pong table. You can arrange a tour of the beach houses on Playa Miguel. Off site you can go on the Canopy tour,dolphin snorkel,or several other tours.

Can't wait to go back next year. Have fun.

[Joevar]

My wife and I are in the position and are concidering Island Pearl. Small but seems very nice. Has anyone stayed there and has review? We both do alot of snorkeling is this area good for that? Thanks JOE

[DiversMom]

If I was a non-diver, I would not want to go to an all inclusive. It is nice to have more variety and places to explore. I would say West Bay (next to west end - walking distance) would be the ideal spot. They have lots of nice hotels and restaurants on a nice beach. Also you are real close to all the dive spots. You can negotiate your dives down to $15/dive(one tank).

West End Village I think is a better option The kid dives. She had a choice of 9 or so dive shops to use - all within walking distance of the hotel room. I'm the non diver and I don't like all inclusives. I don't like my activities and mealtimes scheduled for me. I prefer to eat breakfast about 6:30 a.m. That often doesn't fit into the schedule at all inclusives. Rudy's in West End opens at 6:30 (the place to go for banana pancakes) or I had a bowl of cereal in my room since we had a kitchenette.

I prefer photography, horseback riding, and biking to canned entertainment such as"dolphin shows" and professional "Garifuna" entertainment. When not engaged in shore based hobbies, I spent time relaxing in the porch hammock reading, writing a travelogue for publication in a club newsletter, or checking out other shops and hotels for futire trips to the island. There was a paperback book exchange at Sueno del Mar dive shop - take in a book, trade for one of theirs type thing - when I was there in July 2003.

West End Village has car, moped, and bicycle rental places for those not inclined to participate in water sports. Kayaks and snorkel gear was also available at many of the dive shops and/or hotels. The beaches at West Bay are a short water taxi ride away from West End Village. At least two of the restaurants in West End show DVD's once or twice a week in the evenings- admission generally includes a beverage of choice. There are two convenciece/grocery stores in West End Village as well as the requisite souvenir shops and a wide variety of restuarants. Since we had a kitchenette, we did breakfast and lunch most days in our room. There were also several places offering internet service for those who absolutely HAVE to stay connected to the outside world.

BTW, the kid had her hair put in corn rows by a Garifuna woman. It cost $20, the woman told me she charges the all inclusive guests at FIBR or AKR $35-$40 for the same thing, same hair length.

[Hawk]

Ok, I am confused. Who are Terry and Lynn then? The people who run Roatan Charter? This is who my wife was e-mailing back and forth. Oh well, not the first, or I'm sure not the last, time of me being confused.

Anyway I am so looking forward to going and getting to dive in water that you don't need a suit of armor to get in without freezing!

Later, Hawk.

[parrotheaddiver]

Ok, I am confused. Who are Terry and Lynn then? The people who run Roatan Charter? This is who my wife was e-mailing back and forth. Oh well, not the first, or I'm sure not the last, time of me being confused.

Anyway I am so looking forward to going and getting to dive in water that you don't need a suit of armor to get in without freezing!

Later, Hawk.

Terry & his wife Jaki run Roatan Charter. He is the son of Mr Bill & Miss Ev (previous owners & founders of CCV).

Carl & Elizabeth Midkiff are the new owners of CCV.

[Hawk]

It is always nice to be a little less confused. Thanks!


Later, Hawk.

[Scubadu27]

I My husband & I just returned from Roatan on Saturday. We stayed at AKR.LOVED IT!!!!We are divers though. No pool there. But you can snorkle,horseback ride,swim with the dolphins. Mayan Princess is new and VERY nice. Has a beautiful pool.You can see it on line! Brand NEW. Luna beach is nice, but has a tiny pool.Not too many pools there. AKR is building one next year, so they say.If you have specific questions e mail me because I can go on forever.Lots of things I wish I knew before we left!!Its very laid back in Roatan.Good food, islanders are wonderful!!!

[saltwater taffy]

For a non diver, the best place is AKR. There is so much to do there....horseback riding, the dolphins, jungle canopy swing, kayaking, designated snorkel boat. There's a little village right behind the resort. YOu can rent scooter there. For peace of mind, one of the best things about AKR is that there is a doctor right there. I love AKR and plan on going back soon.

Have fun,
SWT