An answer in reference to your title (if it was ending in a "?" mark): No
Cayman, St. Croix, and a dozen other places.
Then you throw this in the mix....
Looking through numerous threads has convinced me Roatan is an ideal dive destination holiday.
Can't argue with that.
Only prob, I travel with a wife that has a phobia of being in water that she can't stand in.
Travel with a different wife, then, it's that simple. You've probably already done a cost benefit ratio between just dumping her and cutting your losses versus sticking it out. We'll assume that since you have come to :sblogo: and couched your question in such a manner that there are some overarching factors that have caused you to decide to keep her. Oky doky then.
What does FIR, AKR and RHR offer in comparison?
CCV has lots of water so shallow she can stand in it, move about, spend the day, not hit the same spot twice in an 8 hour day, only being knee deep in the Ocean. CCV has essentially no beach, although if you squint and try, you can fake it with what they do have. What CCV has that is better than any beach... are bunches of wooden Sun deck platforms. Think: no sand fleas. This is a big plus.
FIBR has certainly the best "beach" of your 4. No comparison. They spray it with DDT and since it is man made, this plus the dredging has ruined their shore dive, but due to it's picturesque setting, it is swamped with cruise shippers twice weekly. FIBR also has acres of shallow water she can stand in.
AKR has got nothing for a beach or shallows.
RHR has a small Sun deck and bit of flat sand, not a beach, but I think I would rather offer that locale to any Sunbunny who had come South with me.
As far as snoozing and lounging in the Sun, it is my choice on the list. They also have a
very tiny shallow zone in front of their resort.
Food is an important consideration due to Irritable Bowel.
Again, of your 4 choices of which you invite food comparison, I think CCV would be a best bet. You must email and advise and arrange in advance giving very specific instructions. I have seen their kitchen staff do amazing things for very specific dietary needs, but you can't just show up unannounced. The booking agent will give you the resort manager's email.
Comparisons you asked for? As far as dietary hoops, don't think at all of FIBR- ain't happenin. AKR is a well oiled machine that does what they do magnificently in terms of the restaurant, but I'm not anticipating an equal attention to specialty detail or variety. I believe RHR would do whatever they could, but being as far afield as this little gem is, special diets might get repetitive.
Shopping is not a big deal, some souvenir knick knacks for kids back home would suffice.
A good premise to hold and understand for any visit to Roatan. there is really very little to buy on Island.
AKR is located a short cab ride from West End. This is the most "island-esque" shopping that Roatan presents, although that due to this West End area being the focus of cruise ship day visitors, the output volume for actual Honduran/Roatan products was quickly outstripped by demand- alas all you really find here is imported Guatemalan stuff. They do have an on-prem gift shop, but it is mostly a sundries and necessities stock, they really can't compete with the nearby West End.
Actual Roatan products can be found in the main town center of Coxen Hole. This is a daytime destination, stay on the main drag. A lot of heavier objects, especially those carved from wood, that's actual local stuff. That, hammocks, and I really can't imagine what you could find for a child that you left behind to fend for himself in the frozen North of Canada.
CCV brings in a daily selection of local artists that do carvings, jewelry, batik, embroidery, handmade flour sack clothes, all manner of better grade hand crafted stuff. They have a twice weekly visit from the gals that braid hair. Very well stocked gift shop.
RHR is quiet and very removed from any collateral commercial activity.
FIBR's guests that feel the need to shop usually take a rental cab to French Harbor, Coxen Hole, or West End. Their "gift shop" is at best spotty.
m Diving is my primary goal. I want gills by the time I leave, high quality with maximum time in water.
CCV is receiving positive reviews every where I look.
A week in paradise (Sat>Sat) may work out to "5.5 dive days" if you pick the right place. (Sunday>Thursday + 1/2 Friday)
In re CCV? Believe what you are reading. I am old and doddering, but at CCV I manage to bang out 27+ in any given week. Two boat departures with two tanks each at 0830 and 1400. This is 5 dives per day when I do an easy entry night dive (usually 2). I still have time for napping, internet, and eating like a vacationer. I have 2 logged by 11:30, then go back out at 2pm, do my 4th and be dry by 4pm. Dinner at 6:30 then night dive at 8pm. It is pure and simple a dive resort, no excuses for any other shortcomings. Perfect boats, well maintained and designed for this niche environment. Camera holding tanks and camera only areas, brilliant and well lit dive locker area. Naturalist DMs with Rescue Certs.
At AKR, their schedule would hand you an easy day of 3, their advertised shore dive is more imaginary than reality. Very professional dive staff, but the entire resort's economy is laser focused on serving the Cruise Ship visitor (Dolphin Encounter and Divers). This adds a pervasive lilt to all of their operations, just understand that the weeklong visitor is simply not what floats their financial boat.
Anyone from any resort can sign up and do the shallow water (or scuba) Dolphin Pester. Their boats are all deep vee cabin cruiser types that have been modded for dive ops. Think Pro Dive type, nice camera rinse tanks and tables. Nice dive locker areas, but with some limited accessibility. Certified DMs
FIBR is best taken at a 3/day pace (it is run as a European style dive schedule) lest you be young, strong and willing to spend most of the day pursuing a goal of 4. Their shore dive can be a bit of a hump. They run single tank boat dives, back and forth. Boats are serviceable but a bit rough in upkeep, primitive barrels for cameras. Rough and dark dive lockers.
RHR is also a 3/day taken at it's best pace. Very small boats with limited "2nd tank" capacity. Shore dive is good but can easily get weathered out.
Very consistent dive staff.
Good luck with your dry mermaid.
