By Jim McPeak (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1596) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 12:24 pm: |
Kathi and I have decided to go to Roatan on Sunday. We just booked it yesterday. Everything fell through with her taking her niece away because of work, etc. Hence, we did some quick work and leave on Sunday. I was just wondering if anyone has been there and opinions. Of course, we remain loyal to Bon, as I shall be there within a month. My goal, before I check out, is to see a whaleshark. I understand that the Bay Islands have a good chance of seeing one. Any help would be appreciated.
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By *Linda* (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2004) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 12:37 pm: |
Wow Jim, that was some quick work on your part if you're going this Sunday. Sorry I haven't been there, but I hear you need plenty of bug spray/lotion. I wish you two many whale shark sighting!!!!! Take lots of pictures for us at home.
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6604) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 12:42 pm: |
I heard lots of things Jim. Some that I remember, take lots of bug spray and the airline to the bay islands sucks badly (although I can not remember the name right now, like DAE).
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By Jim McPeak (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1599) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 1:06 pm: |
Cecil actually we fly Philadelphia to Houston and Houston right into Roatan all by Continental. We leave at 0540 Sunday morning and arrive in Roatan 1220 PM. We are hoping to make a shore dive that day.
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By Cecil (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6608) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 1:26 pm: |
Cool, TACA is the airline to avoid.
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By Kathy Hall - Bonaire in September 08 (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11085) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 1:34 pm: |
We loved Roatan, but I've heard it's "which side of the island you stay" on. Were were at CocoView, and it was awesome. Loved the diving, the channel walls are covered in cool critters, including seahorses of every kind and color. That's also the only place I've ever gotten to swim with dolphins in the wild. They follow the boats, and the captains would let us jump out. Deeper diving than what's normal in Bonaire, most dives were around 80/90 feet. Lots of big critters and nice wrecks as well. And at CocoView the shore diving is awesome as well.
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By Kathy Hall - Bonaire in September 08 (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11086) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 1:35 pm: |
Btw, we flew TACA without any bad experience. Just runway is short, so expect the plane to be slamming on the brakes!!!
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By Jim McPeak (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1601) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 1:48 pm: |
We are staying at Fantasy Island, not that far from Coco View. I said to Kathi, if there is not a little guy saying "The plane...The plane " I'm really gonna be pi$$ed. LOL
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By Kathy Hall - Bonaire in September 08 (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11089) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 1:57 pm: |
Coco View is right beside Fantasy Island, so you will be able to shore dive the Prince Albert from the same places we did. Y'know, they filmed one of those reality shows...oh yeah, Temptation Island, on Fantasy Island.
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By Jim McPeak (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1603) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 2:08 pm: |
Thanks Kathy. As always, you are very helpful.
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By Vince DePietro (Bellevue Condos ) (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1548) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 4:07 pm: |
Hi Jim.. we stayed at Fantasy Island the week of the first Gulf War (which was some time ago) & basically had the place to ourselves..It was brand new then. We enjoyed it, but unfortunately my wife contracted giardia there .
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By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11699) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 4:12 pm: |
Jim, my wife got deathly sick. We never will go back.
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By Rog & Karen ~ guess where we are? (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #574) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 4:40 pm: |
Jim, we were in Roatan about 10 years ago and stayed at CocoView. Loved the diving, you went out in the AM and PM and did a dive and then on the way back if you wanted you could jump and follow the wall back to CocoView. Good vis and lots of fish. All inclusive except for your alcoholic beverages. On our off dive day we flew (small, small plane) to LaCieba and did a river rafting trip. Lots of fun!
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By Jim McPeak (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1608) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 5:06 pm: |
Giardia. Oh boy, that's not good. Jerry, did Louise get it as well?
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By Freddie (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10467) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 5:13 pm: |
Hi Jim we have always stayed on the Other side of the island at Anthony's Key and we considered it almost home.. you will be disappointed in the coral and the fish life there but please do go to the WEST END and have some fun......Mary's Place, the Pinacles are two great dives there.. I love the caves that you dive into at Mary;s place...have fun
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By Rog & Karen ~ guess where we are? (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #576) on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 5:42 pm: |
Oh yeah! The Caves are great...need good buoyancy!!!!!
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By Ginger Stuart Schafer (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 6:15 pm: |
We went to CoCo View in Roatan last year, and it was great! The dives were wonderful, and the staff was great, too! CoCo View has its own message board, which was great for finding out information about CoCo View as well as the whole island. Just go to their website and click on the "Chat" button. The chat group isn't as large as the Bonaire Talkers, but it is still very informative.
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By joe brannan (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #462) on Thursday, July 17, 2008 - 11:38 pm: |
I can't not respond. Been to Roatan 4 times, dove 4 times, drove 3 times, never stayed in formal lodging and we love the place. Of course the fact that I can leave my house in Victoria Tx at 8 am, drive to Houston and still be on the beach in West End by 4 pm the same day...ROCKS. The beaches are mostly better than Bonaire. There's almost no shore diving except at cocoview but boat dives run from 18-25 dollars each depending on the package. There's a ton of topside stuff to see if you remember you're driving in central america. It's not the kind of fringing reef system found on Bonaire, but some of the walls are incredible, lots of color, good coral health, some big critters. Bonaire will always be my first choice for caribbean diving, but Roatan is a close second.
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