Can anyone compare the north shore diving to the south shore diving on Roatan? Some resorts are based on the south shore and offer their dive sites only. The same is true for north.
Can anyone comment on color, conditions, sea life? And does anyone have other feedback on Subwaywatersports as a dive operation? How about the difference between Palmetto Bay Resort and Turquoise bay resort? thank you!
Bay Island Diver
December 3rd, 2009, 07:16 PM
It really depends on time of year. November and December oftoen have northers forcing all dive operators onto the south shore, January can also be rough.
The rest of the year, the sea is MUCH calmer on the North shore which makes for very comfortable diving, hence the huge proliferation of dive centers on the North Western tip.
The northers bring very rough weather which means there are more soft corals on the south than the North. The North has more dramatic scenery especially the point.
Bay Island Diver and Roatan Man,
Thank you so much for your replies.
Since we are planning to go in March, do you think it will be pretty calm on the north side? Having said that, it also sounds like there is a possibility for more colorful coral on the south side. Any specific areas suggested for that? Any feedback on dive operations?
Is it worth it to drive to the south side to dive if we are staying on the north?
Either side better for seeing spotted rays or bigger schools?
ncchuck
December 3rd, 2009, 09:35 PM
One thing I can tell you for sure is that the reefs on the north east and south east end of the islands are FAR less visited than those near west end or CCV. Some people don't think that matters but having visited many areas I think it does. In addition, since there are fewer towns on the east end of the island, there is much less waste emptied into the water. The difference in algae growth is noticible on many dive sites. Do both if you can but the south east end should not be missed. Reef House is one of the oldest resorts on the island and is the only one I know of that regularly goes to the far south east dive sites. There are no wrecks up that way however so if that's something you want, you'll have to try an operator that visits them.
You really can't go wrong on Roatan as there is something for everyone. If time and money were no object I'd probably try Reef House for a week, CCV for a week and west end for a week.
castaways01
December 4th, 2009, 04:27 PM
And does anyone have other feedback on Subwaywatersports as a dive operation? How about the difference between Palmetto Bay Resort and Turquoise bay resort? thank you!
Hi Yellow - The road into Palmetto from French Harbour is in v. rough shape due to erosion and wash out. If there is more rain (and its not graded), getting in and out will not be a pleasant trip, even with 4x4. I heard someone complaining about it this morning. Palmetto is a beautiful place...just the road up to it is iffy.
Turquoise Bay is an awesome setting with a decent restaurant that offers A/C inside (hmmm. even tablecloths, a rarity here) or dining outside overlooking the beach/pool. I call it a boutique resort and you will get lots of personal attention. The family (McNabb) who owns it is also in the shrimp/lobster business so you'll get lots of fresh seafood. I eat there quite often because it is 3 miles away from where I live. Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor.
Subway is good - just make it clear that you are an experienced diver so you are not "mothered". I've been out with them from TB several times when the seas on the Southside have been rough. Smaller boats than the larger resorts and not as many divers. They do a lot of training and have an internship program so there is generally an adequate staff there. Patrick, the owner can give you specific details on the diving if you email him through the Subway website. Palmetto dives the sites further west than TB, but there are some very nice, nearly virgin sites near TB around Milton Bight, Pollytilly and Punta Gorda. Hope this helps a bit.:D
yellowfish
December 4th, 2009, 04:58 PM
Castaways
Can you tell me if we are a family of 4, 3 divers, one non diver, which resort you would recommend? Turquoise or Palmetto?
Have you any feedback on the restaurant at Palmetto?
Is the dive crew at Palmetto as good as the crew at Turquoise? Do you know if small groups go out at both?
And is the road into Turquoise not as bad?
One last question...snorkeling, once we are in from diving... someone said there is no snorkeling from either place without kayaking out 1000 yards to the reef.Any snorkeling you know of that is reached by walking to an entry or swimming not that far?
Thank you so much for answering these questions.
Roatan Tec Team
December 4th, 2009, 05:09 PM
Like ncchuck said, you really can't go wrong in Roatan, however the west side of the island has the superior diving over the south side in my opinion.... I have been an instructor in west end for many years and come rainy season we are forced to dive the south side..... Mary's place has a spectacular reef structure to it, but don't expect to see any fish!!! Micro creatures on the soft corals is all you'll get there, as well as 5 to 10 other dive operators on the same site... on cruise ship days you definitely want to try and avoid this site as AKR will drop 50 beginners on you!!! Most of the south side dives, don't expect to see many fish, however the wall formation makes it worth doing some dives.... Know lets get into west end, sting rays and eagle rays -- dive site;Tabyana's and Butchers bank,caves and canyons, hole in the wall, blue channel, canyon reef, and the spectacular Spooky channel Wrecks; El Aguila and the Odyssey, both 32mts, Reef structure; half moon bay wall, deep aquario, , a combination of reef, fish, and a deep water wreck(Josie J), in which only the Roatan Tec Team can reach, is at the point of the island or west end wall.... with the natural current moving south out the Cayman trench the current runs up over top of west end wall and will meet up with current moving west, in which is a dive site called Texas; another great site for fish and soft coral..... Schools of fish will accumulate at the point, and with schools of fish also bring the predators of the sea. The variety you get on this dive super succeeds any dive site in my opinion
In hindsight dive west end!!!!!
yellowfish
December 4th, 2009, 05:27 PM
We stayed at Infinity bay last year and dove with Bananarama. Never saw any rays at all, and dove for a week straight. Turtles, eels, groupers, all extremely cool, but not one ray.We were trying to get away from places that were heavily trafficked, so thank you for your advice about the south side. BUT what about the north side out by Palmetto or Turquoise bay?
RTBDiver
December 4th, 2009, 06:30 PM
the west side of the island has the superior diving over the south side in my opinion.... !!
Wha?? Wouldn't you normally compare the West End to the East end and then the South Side to Northside? How can you compare the "west side" to the South side? Isnt there a north and south side of the west end of the Island? Isnt there a north and sout side of the eastr end of the island? How can you compare the west to the south? Seems to make little sense to me.
yellowfish
December 4th, 2009, 06:40 PM
I'm sorry...huh??? I am asking about the difference between the west end/west bay area and the middle of the north shore.
RoatanMan
December 4th, 2009, 07:17 PM
I'm sorry...huh???
When you post such imponderables on the internet (and it was your first OP question), any number of responses you get will likely be from somebody selling something. They will all be impassioned.
My perspective on Roatan's diving comes from many dives along all of the shores. There is something good to see on either side, no particular one is better than the other. Most local "experts" have had only a small sampling of diving "on the other side" from where they habituate.
South Side addicts may often judge the entire North side by their special trip to the North to dive the Aguilla Wreck. North Side regulars have a number of dives at Mary's Place and judge their experience accordingly. Both limited perspectives are very faulty.
Divers of a certain ability level will find their excitement in seeing their first Lobster, Crab or Shark. At early stages in diving, many divers need larger familiar named critters, or dramatic reef structure and "wrecks".
It is a common thing for many divers to completely "not see" even large creatures that are lurking in plain sight on a wreck or a dramatic wall. We are so overwhelmed with the obvious that we can't see the details. This is no mistake, it is a demonstration of natural camouflaging instincts of these animals. We humans are really crappy hunters~ we have to learn over time.
As you progress, you will find these fairly obvious larger critters & objects somewhat repetitive, and you will be looking for something else, you will begin to see the "trees within the forest". Your eyes will sharpen, your tastes and needs will change. "Micro creatures and soft Corals" as mentioned previously will then become the next holy grail.
Your need for snorkeling does throw an interesting curve into it, especially on Roatan. The availability and access while on Roatan runs from 1>10, but not much in the middle. The resorts and locales you have so far specified aren't at the high end of that scale.
You ask many questions, but unfortunately offer a limited perspective of your described needs. On question you ask..."Is it worth driving to the South side to dive" opens up an entire different avenue of the thread. I would start with this: drive nowhere on Roatan, always hire a driver. Search here on ScubaBoard in this forum for the collective wisdom that supports that advisory. Then go into the remainder of your query. In a nutshell: it is much easier to "dive-op hop" around the West End, but that will not offer a solution to your "other side" curiosity.
NCChuck's appraisal of reef health is fairly accurate, but the real causation is simply not the volume of visitors. It relates more to estate development and highly localized micro-currents. NCChuck also offers you a very interesting & viable solution to your needs with Reef House Resort. You should look into it. Start right here: http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd106/Doc_Adelman/Reef%20House%20Resort%20Roatan/
Roatan is many things to many people, all depending upon the breadth of their experience.
:search::sblogo: It works.
castaways01
December 4th, 2009, 07:39 PM
Castaways
Can you tell me if we are a family of 4, 3 divers, one non diver, which resort you would recommend? Turquoise or Palmetto?................ " Thank you so much for answering these questions.
Gee Yellow, its a toss up. I like TB better but only because I'm more familiar with it. I've eaten at Palmetto 2x and it was fine. The rest. is all open there. Also the boat crews... :dontknow: Dive ops, like everything else, can change daily.
The road to TB is fine. There is a pool and beach at both, but the beach at TB is nicer. Of course the beaches and pools are not nearly as large as what you had at Infinity. If you are looking to get away from tourists then either one of these would work. TB was bringing in some cruiseshipers for diving and swimming last year. I don't know if they still do this. At either place, your non-diver might be able to go on the boat to snorkel while you dive.
Yes, you were told right. The reef at both is too far offshore for snorkeling without a boat or kayak. Those sit on tops they have are also hard to get on in deep water.
Hmmm. Have you checked into Bay Islands Beach Resort? Its small, inclusive, at Sandy Bay on the northside. Can snorkel from shore and not too far from West End. The owners, Ted and Cam, seem to have a lot of satisfied customers. It might give you more of what you are seeking. Just an idea.
yellowfish
December 4th, 2009, 07:47 PM
Again to both Castaways and RoatanMan, thank you for taking the time to reply. No I agree we are hoping to develop the skills to see the 'trees in the forest', absolutely.
Not sure what you meant RoatanMan when you said it was my 1st question.?
We plan on staying away from West End West Bay for the most part.
So Castaways...any comment on accommodations and food at Turquoise Bay? And is the beach area or area around long enough to go for a run?
RTBDiver
December 5th, 2009, 08:49 AM
a combination of reef, fish, and a deep water wreck(Josie J), in which only the Roatan Tec Team can reach, is at the point of the island or west end wall!!!!!
This is just too funny,
Roatan Tec Team
December 5th, 2009, 11:01 AM
RTB and what is it that is just "to funny" about my opinion
bkpix
December 5th, 2009, 09:01 PM
I have no experience at all on the north side, and only two trips to the south. First trip was 6 years ago to Fantasy Island, last August 2 weeks at The Reef House. Reef House was by far a better experience for me then FI. Much smaller, reefs visited were far less traveled and in better shape. Reef house a bit more primitive, which for my wife and I was a plus, and the food selection was limited to what they were serving for that particular meal (all very good) but what it came down to for us was the diving. In a word, GREAT!
Click on the 64 next to where it says photos under my avatar, the first 15 photos are from the Reef House trip.
You can shore dive or snorkel right out in front of the resort weather permitting. The entry and first 20 yards or so are fairly shallow with coral heads nearing the surface. As long as the waves are not too high the snorkeling is very nice. Also, night snorkeling in the "pool", the turtle enclosure right out front, can be a real hoot.
Reef House has 2 somewhat larger rooms, and the rest are not as big, so for the family you would have to contact the resort and see what would work best for your needs.
It looks like your diving experience is still somewhat limited, but the diving for the most part is fairly easy, and as long as your bouyency control is good, Davit, the divemaster, will show you some truly wonderful divesites.
Where ever you wind up going, have a great time!
Dive safe, BK
RTBDiver
December 6th, 2009, 06:41 PM
RTB and what is it that is just "to funny" about my opinion
Sorry,
No offense meant, It just read more like fact when you mentioned the
(Josie J), in which only the Roatan Tec Team can reach
If this is still opinion then MY BAD, If this is some local law I am sorry and may never do it again.
Just seems like something the WKPP people would have started back in their hard push DIR early days befor most realized how rediculous they were while at the same time rather than form another certification, many were simply doing deep "recreational" dives with a very good safety record. I wonder how many of the Roatan Tec Team have the Doria and Britannica in their logs and what it takes for those that do to join the RTT. If someone has deep air, deep gas, rebreather, cave and deep wreck experience and has already dove the Josie then what is the requirement to dive the Josie today? is it a dollar amount? Sounds kind of like the Abe Davis award that used to be simply a recognition but in time became a certification of sorts
Roatan Tec Team
December 7th, 2009, 02:13 PM
ya I agree with some of your statements, its not that divers can not visit the wreck outside our team... I know that wreck is visited on a weekly basis, and luckily enough there is still a "good safety record", however its only a matter of time before someone is injured and or killed diving it b/c they don't know what their "turn pressure' is and run out of gas before any type of stop, during one of my courses I witnessed 2 divers on single 80's diving the wreck with a bottom time lasting longer than ours!!!!! I could run on and on about the problems they face but am going to save my breath........ It's only a matter of time before the headlines read "Roatan instructor kills diver", bad news for all on the island... Anyone with any expereince over the recreational limits of any training agency is more than welcome to dive with our team, or get gas fills, etc....
If your wondering about my experience and log book, No i haven't dove the Britannica or the Doria, is on my to due list though, however I come from a commercial deep sea diving background, working for deep sea salvage company's and have dives similar to those wrecks. And have accumulated over the years many deco dives both in commercial and open circuit. I just want to make sure the diving here stays safe and if people want to dive the wreck properly and safely, sign up for a trimix course....
yellowfish
December 7th, 2009, 03:29 PM
ummmm...I know that dialogues can take a turn in these forums..but the topic here is diving sites north shore versus south on Roatan.
Lumen001
December 25th, 2009, 05:30 PM
I'd like to receive suggestions reccommendation
I'm AOWD and a becoming rescue diver (PADI) . I'll reach 100 dives in 2 years very soon, I'll be in Infinnity Bay resort from 11th to 18th of january 2010. Would you please help me to find a good friendly professiional dive shop (reasonable negociable price/dive) near the Infinity Bay Resort. What are the best divesites not to miss I have to insist to go to. I'll bring all my gear stuff except bottle and lead weight. Thank you !!!
Lucas
Shawnda
December 26th, 2009, 10:16 AM
I have never used them but Bananaramma dive shop (sp.?) which is just a 2 minute walk away from Infinity is supposed to be quite good.
SayNo2Snow
December 26th, 2009, 01:35 PM
We used Bananarama in 2008, they are excellent, I would strongly recommend them. As for dive sites again the diving on Roatan was great. Spooky Channel wasn't so spooky, the channel portion reminded me alot of diving in lakes, not much to see, however the end when it opens to the reef is very nice and tons of big grouper, snapper. I think someone said one of the resorts fed the fish where Spooky opens up, consequently the little beggars (ahem... BIG beggars) hang around.
Mike
December 30th, 2009, 08:17 PM
I'd like to receive suggestions reccommendation
I'm AOWD and a becoming rescue diver (PADI) . I'll reach 100 dives in 2 years very soon, I'll be in Infinnity Bay resort from 11th to 18th of january 2010. Would you please help me to find a good friendly professiional dive shop (reasonable negociable price/dive) near the Infinity Bay Resort. What are the best divesites not to miss I have to insist to go to. I'll bring all my gear stuff except bottle and lead weight. Thank you !!!
Lucas
Mayan Divers (http://www.mayandivers.com/Home.html)- we spent over a week diving with them last year, they are a 5 minute walk down the beach from you located in the Mayan Princess Resort. They are safe, well organized, a good value (I don't know about negotiable- personally I wouldn't negotiate with a dive shop, no dive op is getting rich or in it for the money), and very fun to dive with. Anja and Liber are married and run the dive operations along with their employees Vera and Umberto. They will do all the best dive sites on the north side and are open to trips around the island to the south side too.
Lumen001
January 4th, 2010, 09:33 AM
Thank you, very much, your answers help me a lot !
I'll be there in Roatan in less than a week !
I'll keep in in mind that Bananarama and Mayan Divers are close, of infinity , professional, and reliable.
Lucas
rubicon000
January 4th, 2010, 10:58 AM
Thank you, very much, your answers help me a lot !
I'll be there in Roatan in less than a week !
I'll keep in in mind that Bananarama and Mayan Divers are close, of infinity , professional, and reliable.
Lucas
Lucas,
We just came back from Roatan last week. We stayed at Turquoise Bay, nice clean and quiet hotel, friendly staff. Subway water sport is a good dive shop. We rented a car and did shores dives at Fantasy island (shipwreck and DC3).
