Getting your divemaster in Belize or Roatan ???

[cocobello]

Hello out there,

Any advise in taking the divemaster class or intership in either Belize or Roatan. Does anyone have personnal exper. or know of anyone going to either country, pro or cons. Which dive ops would you suggest to look at or stay away from.

Any other advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Alex

 

[DivemasterDennis]

As between the two I think the diving is better in Roatan. I have not taken any training their or in Belize. Start contacting dive centers and see what they offer, and ask for some references. You might also look up each in Undercurrents Chapbook. If not familiar, check out undercurrent.org. Also go to the forums on each place here on scubaboard for more info.
DivemasterDennis

 

[Fly swatter]

Definatley do the research. Any reason for you wanting to go there to do DM and maybe more? There are many more IDC's throughout the US, that might be better. Like, smaller classes (you would get more student/instructor time), then maybe you could DM for the shop afterwards. Good luck!

 

[sparky923]

Check out Subway watersports in Roatan. A friends son just got back from a 3 month internship and had nothing but good things to say about it. Well, except that he didn't care if he ever ate lion fish again.

 

[Hank49]

Definatley do the research. Any reason for you wanting to go there to do DM and maybe more? There are many more IDC's throughout the US, that might be better. Like, smaller classes (you would get more student/instructor time), then maybe you could DM for the shop afterwards. Good luck!

Just curious. Why might the IDCs in the US be better than in Roatan or Belize?

 

[diversteve]

Some friends did DM thru instructor at Coconut Tree Divers in Roatan's West End. Had a good experience. We dove a week with them a few years ago and I still recommend them often. Also if you're on a budget:

Students of Coconut Tree Divers get our special offer for $5/night stays in our student dormitory. The six-bed dormitory comes with air conditioning, a private bathroom with hot water, and a secluded location perfect for studying.

Will, their course director, has a useful website with a lot of details about staying/diving there. Bay Islands Diver Home

 

[RickyF]

Also check out Barefoot Divers in Roatan.