What
diversteve said.
There's a huge amount of postifying on this subject (in this forum and also the Cruise forum). Not a whole lot of distinction in available dive ops- at least as far as to
what you're going to see... ie: "the best dive sites". Cruise ship divers are treated the same (everywhere in the world). No matter what your printed credentials.
I will add one bit of locally relevant information... nitrox is not technically required due to the relatively shallow depths of the South side local dive ops, that- and the lack of repetitive dive profiles (even though the North side is deeper). If it makes you more able to stay awake for the 2 a.m. Ice Cream Buffet
then by all means, pay for it and enjoy.
The shallow South side diving of Roatan is what makes the island absolutely unique among all other Caribbean destinations- it is macro heaven.
"Some pictures and video" ? I would get set-up for macro. If you are talking about two different cameras, go with the still box. Unless you go to the North side and know that you are going to one of the deep (110') wreck remnants. That would be a wide angle deal. South side wrecks are very shallow and intact (65'), but not on the standard charter list for Cruise Ship Divers.
Likely someone will offer you the South Side "Roatan Signature Dive" of "Mary's Place". I rank it slightly better than Belize's Blue Hole, which aint sayin' much. It's a dark deep crack in the reef. A very advanced naturalist guide (one on one) can show you some really cool stuff, but on a regular group dive- it's just a dark deep crack (did I say that before?). It is a distinct geographical shape, so a lot of divers enjoy it for that alone.
The local canned "Shark Dive" (also well discussed) is one of the better that I have seen in the Caribbean. I say this because of the mechanical infrastructure and dive brief provided by Waihuka Divers (the principal charter op, but there are others) as well as the u/w geography that shields divers from very localized current. This is also a South side dive, nearby to the port.
You would likely do better to plan this activity on the South side,
your timing of late October gives a much higher probability of weather related dive-op closures for North/West shops. If it is really crappy weather, your best entertainment will be the Shark Dive. Them buggers simply don't care if it's raining. :shark:
