Packing, Travel and Diving Tips for the Invasion to Roatan
Well we are getting close to the ScubaBoard INVASION to Roatan!!!!!
I thought we could touch base on some of the great ideas that everyone had on preparing, packing, travel, and dive related tips.
For some this is old hat, so share your knowledge.
I’ll get things started… Here are some of my tips.
Anytime you are travelling outside of your normal area, it's good to checkWell we are getting close to the ScubaBoard INVASION to Roatan!!!!!
I thought we could touch base on some of the great ideas that everyone had on preparing, packing, travel, and dive related tips.
For some this is old hat, so share your knowledge.
I’ll get things started… Here are some of my tips.
CDC Destinations/Travelers Health Info
DON'T FORGET These Items when Packing!
Airline tickets/info for going and return flights
Passports (I also make a copy of it and put it in my carry on)
Driver’s License or if you don’t have one, some other form of picture ID.
Diving Certification Cards and Nitrox Cards
Forms will be emailed by Bay Adventures soon. Please fill out and bring with you.
DAN and Health Insurance Cards
Credit Cards or ATM Cards (call you card company, let them know when and where you’ll traveling)
(Some CC company charge an extra fee for transactions when out of the country)
You can charge your drinks, tips, gift shop and any excursion through the resort such as the dolphin or shark dive to your room.
There isn't an ATM at the resort, but there is one in town.
Small Bills (1’s, 5’s, 10’s and 20’s go a long way) (Some of the restaurants don't accept credit cards or $100 bills if you plan on venturing into town to eat out)
Prescription Medication (keep it in the prescription bottle with your name on it)
Over the counter medications and first aide items that you may need.
Especially allergy medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction.
(You can find a lot of the same products in Roatan, but the packaging may look different and the instruction might not necessarily be in English)
Sunscreen (biodegradable containing a mineral ingredient such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide if possible for the coral reefs health)
I found this line of biodegradable products www.reefsafesuncare.com
Sunglasses and an extra cheep pair for the truck (polarized are better for gazing into the water)
Hats
Bug spray (if the bugs find you tasty), I'm also recommending Cactus Juice , www.reefsafesuncare.com
or some other brand for the biting no see ums.
Water, You can purchase a bottled water and refill the bottle or bring your own bottles to fill if you don't wish the cost of buying bottled water. You can bring flavor packets or liquids to flavor your water for variety. I like to bring flavor packs for my coffee too! I do strongly suggest drinking only bottled or can drinks when outside the resort and wiping any moisture from the tops to avoid having any issues.
Personal flashlight, You may want to bring a small personal flashlight to navigate the walkways and stairs at night.
I like to be organized (can’t you tell) so I have a travel checklist on file that I printout. Here's my list if you like. View attachment 124688
That way, I don’t have to think too much about remembering what I need. The list includes everything that might be needed. If something's on the list that doesn’t apply to this trip, I just cross it off. I also includes things to do like stopping the mail, newspaper, contacting your cell provider if you want service there, and calling the credit card companies to inform them that I will be going out of the country so they don't cut me off in mid-trip.
CARRY ON ANY ITEMS THAT YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO LOSE.
Check with your Airline for specific rules as to what accepted and procedure for checking in, as these seem to be changing constantly.
For anything in question or liquid form, check with your airline.
TSA will take it and throw it away!
We personally had a problem with our rechargeable batteries in our carry ons one time. They weren't allowed in the checked and they weren't allowed in the carry ons. Making up the rules as they go, Go figure??? I would suggest not putting them all in one place in your carry on. Dennis had quite a few, all in one spot and I think they stood out like a sore thumb.
ID’s, Credit Cards, Cash etc.
Any Cameras/Electronics
You’re Regulators and Dive Computers
Prescription Medication
Glasses/Contacts
Jewelry
Put your name, address, and phone number in all your bags including your carry on and personal item in case they become lost or separated from you.
Put some of each persons items in each checked bag. That way if one of the bags get lost, you still have some of your things.
Making the most of the luggage weight restrictions
(Don't forget, Men and Women are allowed to have a personal item purse/back pack/briefcase/man purse in addition to their carry on. Make the most of it!)
I have a large purse that I use just for flying. the personal Item is not weighed, so it's great for a few heavier items. Just make sure they can be carried on and not needed to be placed in checked luggage.
Think about light weight items when packing. Inexpensive t-shirts (like Hanes or fruit of the loom) are very lightweight, come in multiple colors, are great for shore diving cover ups and can be left behind if you shop too much in town.
Light weight dresses are great for the ladies.
Think kakis over jeans. Shoes can weigh a lot also. Even thou it's a pain at the airport, I'll wear my tennis shoes as they weigh the most. And if taking a light jacket, it goes on the plane with me as well.
A personal hand scale is an invaluable tool so you don't have surprises when getting to the airport.
Diving Tips
Get yourself hydrated before the trip and stay hydrated, but don't over do it. Drinking smaller amounts of water through out the day is better than just guzzling a glass or 2.
We like to use baby shampoo for mask defog.
My feet get blisters and take a beating while diving multiple days, so I wear the thin trouser socks. It also helps your feet slip into your wetsuit!
A lightweight cooler bag is a great way to carry those bigger underwater cameras. They give the camera some protection and are easy to fold up for packing, light weight and rinse out easily.
A water proof bag for the boat and a pelican box or other waterproof case for shore diving come in handy for keeping things dry.
Some Woolite or those all-in-one washer sheets if you plan on washing the funk off your clothes or dive wear in the sink/tub. Especially great when your staying longer than a week. Don't forget some close pins too. They help when hanging items up for drying.
Skin or Wetsuits? Warm tropical weather is the norm, with little change in temperature from winter to summer. Average annual temperature is 85° F/29.4° C. Humidity is usually high, especially from May to September. (Which is why we are going earlier in the year than we usually do for the Invasion) Water temperature varies between 27-31° C/81-88° F. While the weather is consistently good year-round, during the rainy season (roughly October to January) visibility can dip below the usual 30-45 meters/100-150 feet. (Which is why we are going earlier in the year than we usually do for the Invasion) Daily highs around 87°F throughout the month of April and low temperatures are around 78°F. Water temperature averages 28° C/82° F.
Update water temp recorded on Mon. 4-21-14 was 81° F.
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