ROATAN- DIVING
 

I am flying to Honduras for a few days to dive on Roatan...but I never been there and would really appreciate any help concerning places to stay, dive sites and dive companies to use...

thanks very much,

Check out www.bayislandsdiver.com . Many folks stay in the West End - lots of dive and lodging options there. There are also dedicated dive lodges scattered around the island. Another resource is http://www.scubaboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=533

Have a great trip and then tell us all about it!

A few years ago I stayed at Bananarama on West Bay Beach as a non-diver. The guests who were divers seemed to enjoy it. The accommodations were pretty basic, but comfortable, and the price was right.

http://www.bananaramadive.com/

We liked staying at Las Rocas at the beginning of West Bay Beach. Right on the beach, which Bananarama is not. But maybe a little more expensive at $60 for a room with a nice porch, hammock, refrigerator, and good breakfast included. Very nice beach bar at Las Rocas. This was in April 2005. The divers there seemed happy; we went out on the boat to snorkel with them. Although the nice thing about West Bay is that you can snorkel right off the beach.

Awesome websites. Thanks.

The diving and snorkeling are quite good. They are talking about the waters warming up in August and some coral might get bleached down to 20ft. but for diving not a problem. It can be very hot and humid and if Anthony Key Resort will rent a Superior Cabin on the "key" with Air=conditioning? it isworth the money. They are set up for 3 dives a day if you want that much and night dives a few times a week. It is all inclusive and the food is fair to good for such a remote place but in July it is about $200/person with all diving and meals in Superior cabins. The less expensive cabins are not very nice and I believe some still do not have A/C. We have been there 3 times and enjoyed it.
Mosquitos are a big problem there as in other places ad even with 75% DEET plan on getting bit unless it is rain free.

Anthonys Key Resort is the place...good food as well!!

R.A Luis

We were in Roatan this April/May. We switched to Anthony's Key b/c the diving at our original resort was sub-par, and we had heard such good things about Roatan. Anthony's Key was beyond wonderful, if comparatively pricey. Thing is, once you add up the value of 3 dives per day, two night pives per week, and mucho convenience, it's actually not that expensive.

Key superior rooms also have a covered over-water deck (awesome!). We did not use the a/c and found that no matter how hot it was, the deck got a great breeze off the water. Overall, I highly recommend it. I would note, however, that it's worth skipping a dinner or even an entire afternoon at Anthony's Key to visit the West End.

That said, the West End is crawling with dive shops, many of which I'm sure are more than competent. You certainly don't have to stay somewhere like Anthony's Key to enjoy it.

Also, the sand flies are as bad as the mosquitos, if not worse. I hate DEET so I used Cactus Juice (available at Anthony's Key and at shops on the West End and, I'm sure, just about everywhere else). Applied it day (sand flies) and night (mosquitos). It also has sun block in it and smells a LOT better than DEET. Plus it won't melt your skin...

Pray for sustained breezes - we didn't have to use repellent of any kind when we were there last August, and no bites.

The one think we will try on our next visi to Anthony's Key is safari slacks and shirts that are woven with insect repellent in addition to my tons of DEET and Cactus Juice. The diving and snorkeling is so much better than 90+% of the Caribbean that it is worth it and it is 1/3 less than most of the caribbean better dive resorts on Grand Cayman. Bonaire, etc.Also, if you are in the NY area Continental has a <5 hr. non-stop on Sat. only that if booked 4-5 months in advance is under $600RT.