Dive Trip to Honduras, Guanaja Island - 5/30 thru 6/6

[BlazerDiver]

I've put a trip together for George and Ginger's new resort!
George and Ginger were the owners of Clearwater Divers in Austin.
They've closed their shop and moved to Guanaja Island, Honduras!
They are finishing up the new resort, ready to open in March.

They're ready to provide a great week for us at their new resort!

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Clearwater Paradise
May 30th through June 6th, 2009

Guanaja, Islas de la Bahia, Honduras
ClearwaterParadise.com
http://www.ClearwaterParadise.com

Presenting a new gem in the pristine waters of the Caribbean!
Brand new resort!

On the Island of Guanaja, just East of Roatan Island.
Try this on Google Earth;
16 degrees 30' 15.86" N
85 degrees 51' 56.39" W

Those coordinates will put you on the dock near the Resort.

We have room for 12 divers.

This resort is in the final phase of construction.
Just needs paint and curtains!
They will be ready for guests in March.
The resort is owned and operated by George Peel and Ginger Bryson
Former owners of Clearwater Divers in Austin, TX.

They own the dive boat and dives will be included in the package price!

The Diving
Guanaja is surrounded by the same reef system that runs along the carribean coast of mexico and central america. The same system you dive in Cozumel, Belize and Roatan. The wonderful thing about Guanaja is that there is typically little to no current here, the reef is very wide and shallow, so after doing a wall dive, instead of just "hanging out" for a safety stop, you can cruise the reef. There are wrecks to dive as well as a large number of swim-throughs and tunnels. Also, and possibly most important, the tourism here has been minimal, so the reef is virtually untouched by "man," and you won't see 5 or more other dive boats in the area you are diving. In fact, you very likely won't see ANY dive boats other than the one you are on.


Expect some great food!
An example of a typical dinner would be roased garlic served with homemade french bread, ceasar salad, grilled fish or grilled shrimp and tenderloin, or homemade pasta with a shrimp sauce, whatever veggies are in the garden, and homemade ice cream, or cheese cake or something decadently chocolate for dessert. The menus will be a lot of fish and shrimp and some chicken. Pretty much the only beef will be burgers or tenderloin. We have a large garden and will have fresh-picked vegetables, depending on what is producing when you are here.

Cost
$995 plus 16% tax with no transfer fees
($150 deposit due March 15th)
($845 remainder due April 15th)
Continental airlines has a $572 flight, non-stop from Houston, round trip

Accommodations
Brand new Resort
7 days, 6 nights
Double Occupancy rooms
Beds - one Queen size and one futon
Large (7' x 4') shower
Air conditioned
Plenty of 110v outlets

What's Included
accommodations - 7 days, 6 nights
Boat ride (and cab) from Roatan to Resort and back
Three meals per day
- Breakfast
- Simple lunches; soup, salads, sandwiches
- Dinners based on fresh fish caught that day.
Tanks and weights
Five days of diving
At least three dives per day (Some will be night dives)

What's Not Included
Airfare from US to Roatan
Taxes
Tips
Alcohol

Also Available
Rental gear;
- BC, regulator, mask, fins, dive computer, wetsuit, dive lights
Off shore dives (short boat ride)
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[The Chairman]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Moved to Trips and Local Marketplace for Tejas!

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[cristinah2009]

I was in Guanaja a week ago and I was diving with clearwaterparadise ..George ..it was amaizing the Black Rock dive site was just out of this world . I recommend them for diving. George can be reached via phone at :504 33037444

 

[BlazerDiver]

Trip Report – Guanaja June 2009

My son and I spent one week in Guanaja, Honduras in June of 2009.
We stayed at Clearwater Paradise resort on this little island.

Guanaja is one of the Bay Islands of Honduras, in the Caribbean. Located approx. 70 km off the north coast of Honduras, and 12 km from the island of Roatan. The island's warm, clear waters support an extensive coral reef that is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef

George Peel and Ginger Bryson (formerly of Clearwater Divers in Austin) are in process of building a resort out there. The construction is currently about 1/4 of the way along. They have something resembling plumbing and something else that might be called a kitchen, but not quite yet. The meals were good as long as George lets Ginger handle that domain. Fresh fish abounds but the beef comes from a renagade bull that can't stay off the fence. And unless you want to be part of a biology experiment, stay away from the fresh milk ('nuff said).

The dive sites are pristine but, make sure the divemaster (Romel) is running the show. Romel grew up on the island and knows the sites quite well. He is also an accomplished boat captain and can take you to the sites, even when the buoys are missing. Let Romel know what you're wanting to see and he can find it for you. Ask him to show you the Rays that hang out at one of the sites.

o Dive sites were great!
o Boat was small, open and uncomfortable
o Getting to Guanaja (from anywhere) is a hassle
o Clearwater needs to explain their extra costs up-front
(full details, please! How much is the water?)
o George needs to supply clean air and full tanks (3000psi aluminum 80's)
o Be ready to tell George to shut up and go away
o Sand fleas abound!
o Bathe the dogs! At least a flea dip! (yes, they ran loose)
o Clearwater uses local water to make ice and sun tea (consequences)
o I’ve since found other resorts on Guanaja that I would rather visit
o Dive sites were great!

I would be happy to return to Guanaja, but I would find a different resort for my stay. There are many sites to dive at Guanaja and even with a full week of diving, I couldn’t see them all. Each site seems quite unique and I would love the chance to visit more of them.