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rufous:
Brian- CCV is not the best , but it is the best for me!
When I do dive travel, I want to dive. Many people, whether they admit it or not, want many other things from their dive trip than diving. Partying until late hours and sleeping through the morning dive program doesn't fit in my profile!
When you go to the Galapagos, to do a liveaboard is roughly akin to going to the Galapagos on an eco-cruise and not diving. You should see both sides. Same for a local Caribbean destination such as Tobago. Diving for us there is about 85% of the picture.
When you go to Roatan, all there is to do is dive. Say what they will about other diversions on the islands, there isn't much happening. The islanders promote Jungle Canopy Tours, Dolphin encounters, Shark Dive, the Botanical Garden, the Iguana Farm. I'd go with a six pack of Salva Vida beer and head over to the miniature golf thing next to Bojangles Chicken.
FIBR is a nice destination. It offers a white sandy beach, a disco, tennis courts, jet ski rentals, a pool, table wait staff, tv's and phones in the rooms, and, oh yes- diving. It is trying to be everything to everybody.
FIBR's dredging of the sand beach has absolutely changed local visibility to the negative. Their 'shore dive' is executed by following an aircraft cable from their 'dive gazebo' through the murk to the two wrecks in the channel. Getting disoriented is very easy. Their shore dives are rarely done, but you will see them mooring a standard dive boat over the wrecks or running a small pram workboat out to let divers backroll over the wreck. This is what is claimed as a shore dive.
When you are diving the channel and checking out the 140' Prince Albert (Nicuraguan Tanker, sunk 1985) and the remnants of the Dc3, as well as the two great walls... that jet ski squadron zooming overhead in the no-wake zone with dive flags... those are being operated by divers from FIBR while offgassing. Watch your noggin', Sparky.
You can sit at CCV and watch many dozens of shore entries from the resort. At the same tyime, you have a perfect view of FIBR's access. No one comes from FIBR. Is it because of the character of the guests that go there vs CCV, or is it because of the difficult traverse from FIBR to the wrecks. At CCV, there is something to see from the foot of your room, the shore entry- all the way out to the Wreck.
If you're at CCV can't bang out 5 a day without trying, diving isn't your focus. The shore dive at CCV, the "front Yard" is an absolute exclusive, certainly on the Bay Islands, and arguably the world (although the Maldives have some fabulous resort based shore dives).
I think the food is another issue. If someone arranges the food on your plate and puts it in front of you like they do at FIBR, it always tastes better. Me? If I'm diving, I'm diving. Food is fuel. Get me in, get me out. At CCV I'm either sleeping, eating or diving. The down times? 12:45 to 1:45 (after lunch) and 4:30-6:20 (after the afternoon dive and before dinner). After the night dive, I'm going to be by 9:30... sit at the bar if you want. FIBR runs on what is described as a European Resort Style Schedule which is contrary to what most North Americans anticipate. For us, food is fuel, not a meaningful part of our entertainment.
I am not affiliated in any financial capacity with the resort. I, along with other volunteer CoCoNuts assist in moderating the chat/message board. If you scan my posts you will see that I constantly tout my favorite dive operations such as Subway Watersports (Roatan), Tobago, Nekton liveaboards and Galapagos Scuba Iguana. I like to share what is fun, good, and a good value. The first thing I did when I got your PM was to check your other posts.
I would dive Roatan (and have) at every time of year. April-May is my favorite. Other months are also good for other things going on underwater with the critters, season specific.
I was actively involved in the skiing industry for many years. There I learned a lesson that applies here as well as in many other venues. To quote "anyone who is popular is bound to be disliked". There is always someone who has something bad to say about something topical. You have already a tremenduous knowledge base in regards to Roatan, by all means, if you want to dive, try out the South side!
Either resort will give you that access to the vaunted "better sites" of the South side. Most resorts will take you to Mary's Place, and a few like CCV will follow the environmental rules laid down to protect it.
CCV's boats are absolutely unique in the industry and are custom designed for the conditions of the South side. They have no-slosh rinse tanks for your camera gear (think about that) and "cameras only" cushioned tables. There is a center cut moonwell access, a ladder right thru the bottom of the boat if the seas are rocking. They are all fiberglass, not attractive to the no-see-um problem critters.
The whole thing was designed around the needs of the diver, no comprimises were made. It all revolves around people in rubber suits. You meet serious divers, serious photographers, serious underwater naturalists. It also attracts gregarious people who are not only worthy of observation, but will share experience and wisdom with you easily. Diving, at least at CCV, is not a competitive sport.
Hope that helped.
