JC Scuba's Dive Log and Welcome to It: Let's Talk About Roatan, in Honduras

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Let's Talk About Roatan, in Honduras

Honduras' Bay Islands are made up of Roatan, Barbareta, Guanaja, and Cayos Cochinos. It is very typical Caribbean type diving with loads of sponges, and big Angel Fish, Groupers, Mantas, Brittle Stars, and Parrot Fish. This is a great place for divers who are beginners or intermediate in skill level. Advanced photographers will be probably underwhelmed.

While diving Roatan, one of the most popular resorts is Anthony's Key Resort on Sandy Beach. It is a full service resort and also is home for the Island's Chamber. Excellent food, and amenities abound.

While we visited and dove Roatan we chose to stay at The Inn of The Last Resort at Sandy Harbour. Not anywhere as upscale as AKR, but up on a rocky area where it's guests are less frequently attacked by the savage "no see ems" at dawn and dusk. The Inn of The Last Resort, so named because it is situated on the far end of the island. This is a perfect place for a dive club or a large group of people traveling together. The food was excellent, served family style and all you can eat.

Where ever you choose to stay, be sure to bring plenty of mosquito repellent with DEET.

The dive operation, and dive boats were top notch. This would be an excellent place to use enriched air, Nitrox as there are many swim troughs that have reverse profiles. You spend your time going up and down in little tunnels. The week before they had a large pod of Orcas and the pictures and video to prove it. We had a great time at the Inn of the Last Resort. Return to Home Page

1 comment:

Jules said...: Great blog! I, too, had a bad experience on my first attempt at diving, only it was the mid 70s. I'd like to get some proper training and try it again.; April 24, 2008 at 8:04 AM

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Welcome To JC's Dive Log Created for my Granddaughter Kaily

To Kaily: In the hope that one day you will dive! It is very important that you understand that there is nothing down below the water that can hurt you. Remember our trips to the Aquarium of the Pacific where Grandpa gave talks to the kids while he fed the fish underwater? Was that cool or what?

The intent of this blog will be to provide information on dive locations, dive operators, food, and the people and places I've been fortunate enough to meet along the way.

But first, some background information on me. I'm Jim Campbell, and was heard saying one day by a PADI Instructor while giving a Discover Scuba Class, " There is no way in the world I would ever do that again". After the class he approached me and asked my why I had said what I said. I told him back in the late sixty's I had a horrible experience diving with friends down in Mexico.

I had to admit my entire training at the time included

breathing on an old double hose regulator in a swimming pool. That accomplished, I was told I was "good to go" by a fraternity brother who had never dove.

We were going to hunt lobster, probably didn't have lights, and I got smashed on my first surf entry and immediately lost my buddy. It was then I exited the surf and made up my mind. This was a sport for fools.

He laughed, told me about the new safety equipment and offered me a lesson the following day. If I didn't enjoy it, it would cost me nothing. If I did, he would charge me for more pool time and an ocean dive the next afternoon.

With great fear and trepidation I showed up, listened to the brief lecture, and put on my gear. In one minute, my life changed forever. Scuba diving was for me! We went out for that ocean dive the next day, a beach dive in Kauai, saw all kinds of fish, turtles, and an octopus. I was hooked. I knew I had found my new passion.

I immediately signed up for an Open Water Class and the rest is history. The more I dove, the more I wanted to learn, the more I learned the more I wanted to dive. After some serious effort, I became a PADI Instructor, then a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. I now teach most all specialties with the exception of ice diving. I hold a Distinctive Specialty in Shark Awareness Instructor, taking divers on shark dives, and Hazardous Marine Life Injuries. I'm also an SDI instructor.

Some 5000 dives and 10 years later I will attempt to answer the question; "Hey J.C., where's the best place you have ever dove?" I've recently retired but I've got stories to tell.