Dive Trip in February/Roatan

[Rob5019]

We are planning a week dive trip in early February and are considering Roatan. I understand that this is part of the rainy season, although near the end. Can anyone recommend Roatan during this time, and if so, where should we stay? We will likely be three couples, all experienced divers. Thanks in advance!

 

[zana]

I will be in Roatan Feb 1-8 and am staying at Posada Arco Iris in the West end. I like staying where I can walk to everything and be close to my favorite dive shop Tyll's. I also like the ability to try different restaurants and mingle with the locals. We can also jump on a short water taxi to West Bay which is beautiful and nice snorkeling. We also walked there our last trip. But I think nomatter where you stay you will have a nice time.....excellent diving!

 

[Doc]

Roatan should be pretty nice about February, but one never knows! Even if it's lousy raining, it's still pretty doable.

Roatan is kind of an anomoly. There are publications and brochures from resorts and other sources that allude to topside activities on the level of Cayman or Cozumel. It just aint happening. True, there is enough shopping and sighseeing to fill one off-gassing day, but that's about it.

You can stay right at the West End and access the restaurants, only two of which are worthy of note: The Argentine Grille and the Garden of Eatin. You can go to one of the many bars and pay bar prices for drinks that will inhibit your dive schedule tomorrow. You can go to many of the various shops that sell Guatemalan import stuff. Or not.

You can stay at one of the better all inclusive such as Fantasy Island, Anthiny's Key or CoCoView. AKR is close enough to West end to make that an easy cab ride, that is it's main positive feature. You can go there to the west End to dance and party every night, or sometimes FI has disco- but call ahead for holliday schedules.

CoCoView is a hands down favorite by most divers, but take that literaly. If you want to dive dive dive, that's the place to go. Some want tablecloths and waiters, I prefer the same food at CCV served buffet style. Don't go there if you think you need pulsing disco music. Night life begins at the steps of your cabana- just where the shore dive begins as well. If you want 24/7 easy breezy diving, that's it.

Do some searching here on the topic- it's well discussed previously.

 

[parrotheaddiver]

CoCo View nothing to do but dive dive dive eat and sleep, aah the good life.

 

[cxg31s]

Yeah, it's a rough life we divers lead, isn't it Parrothead Diver?

Rob5019, I went last Jan/Feb and stayed at Fantasy Island, a meal and dive-inclusive resort. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip, even though it was at the tail end of the rainy season. However, that kind of vacation isn't for everyone, so it might be more helpful if you'd give us a better idea of what you're looking for. Accommodations in Roatan run the gamut from clean, basic & cheap to pricer all-inclusives, and everything in-between.

Do you want:
In bed early every night or active night life?
Unlimited diving or just a few dives a day?
All-inclusive or eat out?
Budget a consideration?
Large hotel or more intimate?
Hotel amenity requirements, ie. fridge, AC, etc?
Proximity to town?

You might also do a search on this board for Roatan hotels and narrow down your options that way. Good luck!

 

[BFM]

what are your thoughts on Bay Island Beach Resorts? i am headed there a little later in the year.

 

[cmyc99]

CoCo View Resort without question!! Great viz, beautiful coral, plenty of underwater wildlife, and great night diving. The staff is the best I've encountered.
Roatan Resort & Diving | CoCo View Resort

 

[diversteve]

That was so 10 years ago...

 

[lthomas132]

what are your thoughts on Bay Island Beach Resorts? i am headed there a little later in the year.

West Bay, by far, has the best beach, and several good dive shops. High end digs, Infinity Bay (http://www.infinitybay.com/index.html); it's on the far end of West Bay close to the reef, great snorkeling. More moderate places are Foster's (
Foster's West Bay Resort - Beachfront Cabana Rentals - Bay Islands Roatan), Bananarama (Roatan Diving, West Bay Beach Resort, Bananarama Dive), Las Rocas (Roatan - Las Rocas Resort & Dive Center, Bay Islands of Honduras). We stayed at Foster's in April but probably won't stay there again. They're not maintaining the place very well. Banamara & Las Rocas both have exellent dive shops. Good luck & have fun!

 

[diversteve]

Look at the posting date people...