Honduras

[rcmstuart]

Hi everyone,

I want to do my Divemaster out in Honduras - not sure why in particular but i've heard the diving out there is spectacular.

Can anyone recommend a good dive school?

Thanks

Rich

[quetzalboy]

Hello there!

I'm assuming by Honduras, you're talking about one of the Bay Islands.... so here we go!!

i did my PADI and NAUI divemater programs on Utila at Alton's Dive Centre... Can't reccomend them highly enough! i'm in the middle of writing a trip report about the whole thing. so untill i get it completed, here's the gist

Utila is the backpackers island, Rotan is more expensive (about twice the price for food and accomodation)

The diving is very good, usually 20m/30m+ vis, not huge amounts of fish (unless you dive the north side of the island, or the Black Hills divesite) but the reefs are beautiful!

The island itself is a lot of fun, good bars (Coco Locos, Tranquilas, Treetanic and Skid row were my personal faves), good food (RJs and Daves) and the people are nice and friendly!

Alton's itself seemed to be a well run shop, the instructors know their stuff and made lots of time for the DMTs. the shops boats are the second most powerful on the island (after the big expensive resorts boats) which means they can run more frequent trips to the north side of the island, as well as Roatan and Cayos Cochinos (the marine reserve).

You're looking at about $750 for the PADI DM, or $950 for the PADI and NAUI one (best option, much more in depth and more challenging).

Any other specific questions, wait for the report or just ask! :p

Steve

[rcmstuart]

Thanks Steve,

It's quite complicated to get out the the Bay islands after a bit of research - the costs are really adding up, i'm not sure i can really justify it on reflection.

Could you recommend somewhere easier to get to with spectacular diving and at a fun school?

[quetzalboy]

it's not that bad actually, you just fly london to san pedro sula (usually via miami), that costs about £700-800 return. from there you bus it to la cieba (about $5 if you get the cheap bus, $25 if you get the expensive one). from la cieba it's $5 in a taxi to the port, then the ferry to utila (can't remember the price... about $15/20 i think). once you're in honduras you're lookin at about £8 a day budget... plus accomodation (about $200 a month for a GOOD shared apartment).

[Eddie Clamp]

it's not that bad actually, you just fly london to san pedro sula (usually via miami), that costs about £700-800 return. from there you bus it to la cieba (about $5 if you get the cheap bus, $25 if you get the expensive one). from la cieba it's $5 in a taxi to the port, then the ferry to utila (can't remember the price... about $15/20 i think). once you're in honduras you're lookin at about £8 a day budget... plus accomodation (about $200 a month for a GOOD shared apartment).

We have one dive report from your area at: http://www.bsac.com/diverreports.asp?itemid=520&itemTitle=Honduras+%2D+Utila%2C+Bay+Islands&section=1217&sectionTitle=The+Caribbean

and

"where to dive" section at:
http://www.bsac.com/divelocations.asp?itemid=843&itemTitle=Honduras+%2D+The+Bay+Islands&section=1218&sectionTitle=The+Caribbean

[quetzalboy]

hey Eddie, that's a good review, but it's for the resort on the Island.... it's way more expensive than the rest of the island, and not the place to go if you're looking to do something like DM or the IFC, the 10 or so dive centres in the town itself are the cheaper option for us cash strapped students/backpackers...