Roatan Best Diving/Best Resort

[FranzKafka]

I know this has been gone over here. I have used the search function and looked at all the places. I am planning on a trip in early May with a Dive Buddy. We like to Dive, both of us competent. I just did a week in the BVIs and dove every day there. Both of us single guys, 40 something.

1) Want to be someplace NICE. I realize there is no 4 seasons on Roatan, and I am not expecting that. But I do want a place that is not noisy, that is well kept, has good food and good service.

1a) Pool and nice beach are important.

2) Would prefer a place that has extremely competent dive center on site Looking to do 3-4 dives a day, with a few night dives as well.

2a) Dive center next door would be OK, as long as we can leave gear there to dry etc.

3) Prefer Boat diving............No Cattle boats.

4) Would want Boat Captain to know best dives and be extremely competent.

5) Close to night life and local restaurants.


Would West Bay area be best for us? We did trip to Key Largo 2 years ago and changed hotels because first place was a dump (more like a motel). We wound up at a resort hotel and were much happier.

 

[parrotheaddiver]

You do realize that roatan is a 3rd world country...not may fru fru resorts there

you might try this one Roatan scuba dive beach resort Turquoise Bay - for a perfect vacation I have heard good things about it....and Subway watersports is the dive op and I have friends that have used them and said they were good....

not much night life on the island....there is some in west end...but again this is a 3rd world country....dirt streets....funky bars and restaurants....backpacker heaven....wanna get lost from life go to Roatan....I love it there....

have fun

 

[marcaumarc]

It sounds like your hotel requirements may be fancier than ours, but Coconut Tree Divers were great to dive with and they're in West End. (Downtown, if that term could even remotely apply.)

 

[FranzKafka]

I have read all about Roatan and I realize there are no Fancy places. I did Indonesia for 75 cents a night on an Island called Nias........so I know from 3rd world. That said I still want to go to Roatan because I like the idea of great diving in a place that has not become over developed.

I don't mind funky at all. I just don't want a place with music thumping all night because I want to get a good night's sleep.

In my book funky is not bad as long as it is clean, friendly and fun.

Sorry if I mis-stated what I want/need. Just want to dive with a great place/great location with friendly people.

 

[pelagic_by_nature]

Downtown, if that term could even remotely apply.

:lol2:

 

[leadweight]

Fanz,

Roatan might not be the place to find what you are looking for. The dive resorts with lots of dives per day are basic and do not have a pool, some do not have a beach. There are probably pools in West Bay, but diving will be at per tank charges. There is night life in West End, but no fancy hotels. As a matter of fact, I can't think of anywhere that has everything you want.

 

[FranzKafka]

Fanz,

Roatan might not be the place to find what you are looking for. The dive resorts with lots of dives per day are basic and do not have a pool, some do not have a beach. There are probably pools in West Bay, but diving will be at per tank charges. There is night life in West End, but no fancy hotels. As a matter of fact, I can't think of anywhere that has everything you want.

That is the answer I was looking for. Now all I have to do is decide what my priorities are and narrow it down that way. I had a feeling this was the case, but wanted to make sure I had not overlooked anything/anyplace.

What is the best area to be located for closeness to best dive sites? I like wrecks and don't mind going to 100'.

 

[parrotheaddiver]

leadweight is correct....

but if you want to maximize your dive time I would suggest CoCo View.... Welcome to CoCo View Resort but they do not have a pool or a beach.....that is where I have been going since the late 80's and the night life is great night dives every night.... a/c in all rooms...some over the water with private balconies ....food is good but not fancy.....two walls and a ship wreck right off shore....what more could you need

 

[LovetheBeach]

Hi, I just joined Scuba Board, and am excited to see all the ideas that can be exchanged! What I need right now is the name of a good and reliable scuba operation that can take two of us from Roatan. It's one of our cruise ports on Royal Caribbean. I can see that others have had some bad experiences using the cruise divers. I have used them before and haven't had a problem, but now I'm thinking I might want to try somebody local for Roatan. I've been diving there before (yes, on a cruise) and it was gorgeous. Any help you can give me would be appreciated!

 

[Pickering]

Been to Roatan 3 times - some thoughts
1. Best diving is on the opposite coast of West end. There is the Cocoview ( never been there but many good reviews ) and Fanatasy Island - they filmed the TV show there. Bit tired AI but there is a beach of sorts. Probably the best diving is at the Reef House. Stayed there twice - very rustic only 10-12 rooms ( wood floors rustic - no beach - home cooked meals eaten at a long table with all guests and the owners ) Nothing to do but dive - all wall dives. Very isolated
2. West end beach will probably give you what you want - Couple of AI Captain Morgans is probably the most fancy - has a pool and is right on the beach. Beach apparently has been listed in the top 100 beaches in whatever. Numerous dive shops and world class snorkelling at the far end. My wife and I stayed at both Fosters and Los Rocas - forget Los Rocas - nickle and dime you and I had a bad experience with the dive shop. At fosters - dive shop is on the water and depending on your villa may only be about 10 steps from your hammock on the veranda.
3. lots of places to eat if you do not go AI
4. Dove once at Anthony's Key. Resort is a bit isolated and although I did not see the rooms - appeared to be more upscale
5. all the resort boats are big but would not refer to them as cattle boats. Local shops have the smaller boats but still about 8 per dive.
6. what my wife and I have done is go for two weeks. First week at the Reef Houser and dive , dive ,dive. Then we spend the 2nd week on the beach - we preferr Fosters but..... Snorkell more than we dive on the beach. Used Bananarama, Fosters dive shops - good
7. hopefully, given you places to google