Roatan diving advise needed

In article <b7688be3.0403302355.6192ff5a@posting.google.com >,
boliver@thevine.net says...
> Whenever I need advise I turn to the wise people of usenet - hope you
> guys can help me out on this one!
>
> In June we have a group of 17 people(16 to mid 40's) traveling aboard
> the cruiseship Paradise to Belize, Roatan, Cozumel and Grand Cayman.
> It has been suggested to me that the best place for us to dive is
> Roatan. We will have approximately 8 divers (3 experienced/5 newly
> certified & 9 snorkelers). We would like to stay together for the day.
>
> I ran across a glowing recommendation for the Inn of Last Resort, but
> unfortunately their boat is booked up for the day. They recommended a
> charter that docks with them – the Circe – a 52 foot Hatteras Yacht (
> www.bayislandcharters.com ) that looks pretty good although it's a tad
> pricey I think ($115 2/tank dive & $65 for snorkelers with
> equipt,lunch and transport – about $1500 no discount for the large
> group). I like the idea of having the boat to ourselves – the dives
> sites and times will be tailored to our group, and I would want to
> hire at least one extra DM because of the newbies.
>
> I've also emailed Fantasy Island and CoCo View – although CCV hasn't
> answered yet. Fantasy Island said they could accommodate the group,
> provide beach/dive access, equipt, transport and lunch for about
> $850.00. Don't know how much extra it would be for boat access or if
> we could all stay together – have emailed asking that. If just a beach
> dive don't know about services of a DM and I'm a little concerned
> about the sand flea issue that the other boat wouldn't have. Think I
> also read somewhere that FI caters to the cruise ship crowds and I
> don't want to be one of the masses!
>
> So ok dive gurus…I need your input and suggestions! I've never been
> there and not sure how to choose so that everyone in my group has a
> good – stressfree time. I'm thinking the boat might provide a little
> more "support" for the group than the resort would.
>
> What would YOU do?
>
You could drop my Sister a line: gillian@notton.net. She runs a dive shop
there
(Subway http://www.subwaywatersports.com/) and would (I'm sure) tailor an
itinerary to suit you.

I have no financial interest, only a family one!!

Pip pip





--
Chris Notton
Replace "nospam" with my surname to reply by email
Sostituisca il "nospam" con il mio cognome per rispondere
}<////(*>

boliver@thevine.net (barbara) pounded away at his keyboard resulting
in:
:In June we have a group of 17 people(16 to mid 40's) traveling aboard
:the cruiseship Paradise to Belize, Roatan, Cozumel and Grand Cayman.
:It has been suggested to me that the best place for us to dive is
:Roatan. We will have approximately 8 divers (3 experienced/5 newly
:certified & 9 snorkelers). We would like to stay together for the day.

I've been to all those places and I think the best place to dive is
Cozumel.

Dan Bracuk
If at first you don't succeed, you run the risk of failure.
The Best of rec.scuba http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/RecScuba/


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You helped confirm the direction I was leaning - to CCV. I sent
another email today (I like having questions and answers in writing)
but will call them if I don't hear back soon. I'm hoping to hear good
news from them.

We're all easy going "safety first" people who just want a non
complicated day together seeing cool things.

Thanks for your help Robert!
Barbara



"Robert Adelman" <lawyers-guns-money@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message news:<oVAac.4534$vo5.145854@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>...
> "chilly" <slarson@shaw.canada> wrote in message
> news:44vac.51845$R27.11854@pd7tw2no...
> >
> > "barbara" <boliver@thevine.net> wrote in message
> > news:b7688be3.0403302355.6192ff5a@posting.google.c om...
> > > Whenever I need advise I turn to the wise people of usenet - hope you
> > > guys can help me out on this one!
> > >
> > > In June we have a group of 17 people(16 to mid 40's) traveling aboard
> > > the cruiseship Paradise to Belize, Roatan, Cozumel and Grand Cayman.
> > > It has been suggested to me that the best place for us to dive is
> > > Roatan. We will have approximately 8 divers (3 experienced/5 newly
> > > certified & 9 snorkelers). We would like to stay together for the day.
> > >
> > > I ran across a glowing recommendation for the Inn of Last Resort, but
> > > unfortunately their boat is booked up for the day. They recommended a
> > > charter that docks with them - the Circe - a 52 foot Hatteras Yacht (
> > > www.bayislandcharters.com ) that looks pretty good although it's a tad
> > > pricey I think ($115 2/tank dive & $65 for snorkelers with
> > > equipt,lunch and transport - about $1500 no discount for the large
> > > group).
> >
> > Outrageous.
> >
> > >I like the idea of having the boat to ourselves - the dives
> > > sites and times will be tailored to our group, and I would want to
> > > hire at least one extra DM because of the newbies.
> > >
> > > I've also emailed Fantasy Island and CoCo View - although CCV hasn't
> > > answered yet. Fantasy Island said they could accommodate the group,
> > > provide beach/dive access, equipt, transport and lunch for about
> > > $850.00. Don't know how much extra it would be for boat access or if
> > > we could all stay together - have emailed asking that. If just a beach
> > > dive don't know about services of a DM and I'm a little concerned
> > > about the sand flea issue that the other boat wouldn't have. Think I
> > > also read somewhere that FI caters to the cruise ship crowds and I
> > > don't want to be one of the masses!
> >
> > Hold out for Cocoview, I think. I haven't been there and Doc can sure
> > better advise. However, I have read that Fantasy Island isn't all that
> for
> > shore dives and the price Fanatasy is asking should be boat dives too.
> >
> > >
> > > So ok dive gurus.I need your input and suggestions! I've never been
> > > there and not sure how to choose so that everyone in my group has a
> > > good - stressfree time. I'm thinking the boat might provide a little
> > > more "support" for the group than the resort would.
> > >
> > > What would YOU do?
> >
> > Get hold of Doc Adelman.
>
> I am beheld!
>
> When I first read the post, as most of the posts from CSDivers, I usualy am
> wary of recommending CCV. Yes- they will do CSDivers, but most of them wind
> up at AKR playing with the dolphins. CCV is just for diving- no pool, no
> shopping, no fancy beach- just diving. Most who have jumped ship fancy
> themselves as divers, but want a broader experience. Your post- well stated-
> was a notable exception- deliniating what you wanted, experience level and
> more. I can work with that!
>
> Sand Fleas are going to be an issue if you even get off the Cruise Ship.
> Slather up with DEET and do it often. This is not specific to the Bay
> Islands- they're all over the Caribbean- but Utila and Roatan have the
> world's best sand fleas.
>
> With a mix of snorkelers and SCUBA divers, you would probably do well to go
> to CCV. Call them at 800 282-8932 and ask for the set up. (or at
> http://www.cocoviewresort.com and get on the chat board for other info) I
> think you'll be happier with the price as thrashing around on a 52 foot
> sailboat for $1500 seems a stretch. The Hatteras is prolly way better than
> the first option you mentioned, even though.
>
> CCV has superb shore diving, shallow water snokel opportunities just in
> front of the resort. FIBR shares the same channel, but that's all that can
> be said of similarities. CCV's boats are perfection.
>
> You could easily spend your day prowling around the front yard on shore
> dives and not get bored. As CSDivers you will have your own DM (a safety
> thing but an excellent resource for "critter gitters"). Your wanting a DM is
> a good sign- be sure to slip him a few bucks in advance and remind him you
> want to see the cool stuff! (a good idea anywhere)
>
> Some find great experiences with the West End "walk in" day dive ops. Some
> don't.
>
> Not for your group, but if you have "divers only" (not snorkel/dive mix) in
> mind- always take a look at Subway Divers located at the French Harbour
> Yacht Club. Nearby as well is the Wiakula Shark dive (which can be a twitchy
> dive, fine for the experienced, but with the smaller open boat and common
> ripping current... you do the math).
>
> Many Cruise ship divers see a resort on Roatan and skip the ship the next
> time and just fly to Roatan. I've seen it happen a lot at CoCo View.

I took the Paradise last year and dove in Roatan and Cozumel. Roatan
was my favorite dive of my short diving experience...until I hit
Cozumel! Cozumel blew away Roatan in my opinion and I liked Roatan.
I dove with Anthony's Key and did Green Outhouse Wall and one other
one (forgot to write the name in the log book). I noted in my book
that the coral was great but only medium number of reef fish. In
Cozumel I dove with Sand Dollar Sports and dove Santa Rosa Wall and
Paradise Reef. Lots of great coral, great swim throughs lots of
variety of fish, eels, 1 ray, 1 small shark. Great dive staff on the
boats too.

The process of getting to and from the cruise ship was pretty
disorganized in both Roatan and Cozumel (which suprised me).

Note*: While waiting at the dock in Miami drinking a beer, I heard my
name called over the intercom to go to "Security". They had found my
dive knife in my suitcase with some other misc. dive stuff and held up
my baggage. I had to check the knife in with them and had the option
of checking it out to take into port or they would hold it until I
disembarked back in Miami at the end of the cruise (I didn't need it
so I left it with them the whole time).


On Wed, 31 Mar 2004 20:12:24 -0500, Dan Bracuk <NOTbracuk@pathcom.com>
wrote:

>boliver@thevine.net (barbara) pounded away at his keyboard resulting
>in:
>:In June we have a group of 17 people(16 to mid 40's) traveling aboard
>:the cruiseship Paradise to Belize, Roatan, Cozumel and Grand Cayman.
>:It has been suggested to me that the best place for us to dive is
>:Roatan. We will have approximately 8 divers (3 experienced/5 newly
>:certified & 9 snorkelers). We would like to stay together for the day.
>
>I've been to all those places and I think the best place to dive is
>Cozumel.
>
>Dan Bracuk
>If at first you don't succeed, you run the risk of failure.
>The Best of rec.scuba http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/RecScuba/
>
>
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>http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
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On 30 Mar 2004 23:55:34 -0800, boliver@thevine.net (barbara) wrote:

>Whenever I need advise I turn to the wise people of usenet - hope you
>guys can help me out on this one!

You must be on drugs then.............only arsehole's and pricks on
rec.scuba in general.


>
>In June we have a group of 17 people(16 to mid 40's) traveling aboard
>the cruiseship Paradise to Belize, Roatan, Cozumel and Grand Cayman.
>It has been suggested to me that the best place for us to dive is
>Roatan. We will have approximately 8 divers (3 experienced/5 newly
>certified & 9 snorkelers). We would like to stay together for the day.
>
>I ran across a glowing recommendation for the Inn of Last Resort, but
>unfortunately their boat is booked up for the day. They recommended a
>charter that docks with them – the Circe – a 52 foot Hatteras Yacht (
>www.bayislandcharters.com ) that looks pretty good although it's a tad
>pricey I think ($115 2/tank dive & $65 for snorkelers with
>equipt,lunch and transport – about $1500 no discount for the large
>group). I like the idea of having the boat to ourselves – the dives
>sites and times will be tailored to our group, and I would want to
>hire at least one extra DM because of the newbies.
>
>I've also emailed Fantasy Island and CoCo View – although CCV hasn't
>answered yet. Fantasy Island said they could accommodate the group,
>provide beach/dive access, equipt, transport and lunch for about
>$850.00. Don't know how much extra it would be for boat access or if
>we could all stay together – have emailed asking that. If just a beach
>dive don't know about services of a DM and I'm a little concerned
>about the sand flea issue that the other boat wouldn't have. Think I
>also read somewhere that FI caters to the cruise ship crowds and I
>don't want to be one of the masses!
>
>So ok dive gurus…I need your input and suggestions! I've never been
>there and not sure how to choose so that everyone in my group has a
>good – stressfree time. I'm thinking the boat might provide a little
>more "support" for the group than the resort would.
>
>What would YOU do?