Can I Scuba Dive In Roatan Without A Certification?

Planning your tropical vacation to Roatan is an exciting time! After all, there are so many incredible activities for you to experience. From lounging on white sand beaches to playing with sloths and monkeys…and don’t forget the most popular island pastime - scuba diving! For those unfamiliar with the sport, it sounds as easy as putting on some scuba gear and going in the water, right? Not really.

Scuba diving requires certain skills, knowledge, and understanding of the equipment, safety procedures, and potential risks involved.

Luckily, PADI has made it easy for those interested in scuba diving to do just that. So while you can’t simply hop on a boat and dive in Roatan without a certification, there are several options available to you.

Option One: PADI Discover Scuba Dive

The Discover Scuba Dive (DSD) is perfect for adventure enthusiasts who are short on time or merely want to “dip their toes” into the water. A DSD is a half day experience which consists of an introduction to scuba equipment and dive theory, followed by basic skills practice in Half Moon Bay, and ending with your first dive in the ocean to 40’.

While a Discover Scuba Dive does not certify you, it does allow you to see what diving in Roatan is all about - without the time and financial commitment of the full Open Water Course. That being said, if you do enjoy scuba diving and have availability, you can continue into the full PADI Open Water or PADI Scuba Diver Certification.

Option Two: Get PADI Certified!

If you have decided that pursuing your scuba certification is definitely something you want, then you can get PADI certified while in Roatan. We currently offer two entry level certification courses: PADI Scuba Diver and PADI Open Water.

The PADI Scuba Diver course takes around 2 full days to complete, and in the end will certify you to dive to 40’ with a professional. The PADI Open Water course requires a bit more time and effort; taking 2.5 to 3 days to complete. But in the end, you are certified to dive to 60’ with a buddy or a professional.

Whichever course you decide on, both will delve into topics such as dive planning, equipment use, dive physics, physiology, underwater communication, and dive safety. All while exploring Roatan’s gorgeous underwater world!

Prerequisites For Diving In Roatan

Whether you’re trying it out or pursuing your full certification, there are a few prerequisites to bear in mind before you can go diving in Roatan. You must be:

• At least 10 years old to participate in any of the above programs

• In good physical health and possess adequate swimming skills

Otherwise, a positive attitude and sense of adventure is all you need! Oh, and reef safe sunscreen.

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Are you ready to go scuba diving in Roatan?

How Much Does It Cost to Stay in West End, Roatan for a Week?

So you're coming to visit the West End area of Roatan for a week or so, fantastic! When it comes to travel expenses like food, transport, lodging and activities, many travelers want to have an idea of how much to budget. Spoiler Alert! Things here in West End might not be what you expect.

When you think of Roatan as being part of Honduras, many travelers expect things to be super affordable since we're in Central America. The reality is that Roatan is an island, and almost everything consumed here is imported. Our food, products and supplies had to undergo a much longer journey to make it to our happy island, and therefore that drives up the price of just about everything.

Let's do a quick breakdown on the most common travel expenses when visiting West End, Roatan. Keep in mind that when it comes to other islands and what things cost there, Roatan still ranks high in terms of affordability and getting the most bang for your buck.   

Food & Drink Costs 

The view from Ginger's Caribbean Grill, across the beach from Roatan Divers

Whether you are eating out at a restaurant or buying groceries, expect the price to be what you would typically pay in the United States. We have big supermarkets in Coxen Hole and French Harbor, which carry many of the common American name brands most tourists recognize. On average, these goods will cost the same, if not more than if you were buying them at your local grocery store.  

For eating out at most restaurants in West End, expect to spend around $8-$13 per person (not including tip). Food can run about $15-20 a person at a few of the more upscale establishments. To read more about tipping policies and other FAQ here on the island, go here for a helpful guideline. 

And sure, it's possible to find cheaper eats depending on what foods you enjoy (think fried food and lots of carbs)! Here in West End, we do have local street vendors, serving typical Honduran food, like Baleadas and platos tipicos (meat, beans and rice) for around $5.

We know, we know - the biggest question on your mind is how much a beer costs, right? Many of us like to gauge the affordability of a travel destination by their cost of beer. In Roatan, average cost for local beer is about $3, wine & imports (think U.S beers) $5, and cocktails between $5-7.

Lodging

West End sits at just about 1 mile long, and within that area is a range of accommodation options for travelers. Whether you prefer a more established hotel in the heart of West End or a home or condo for rent on the outskirts if you enjoy being off the beaten path a bit, there's always somewhere you can find that will fit your needs.

Hotels

Prices for hotels in West End can range from $35 to $200 a night (not including hostels), so every budget is covered. Important factors to consider when thinking about your hotel options are the time of year (high season prices vs low season prices) and if they include A/C or offer any meal options in their price. Hotels here are generally pretty small in size and they bring much of the charm and small community setting that people love about Roatan.

It's important to note that while West Bay has all-inclusives, hotels in West End do not. Most hotels don't include breakfast, either, so make sure to keep that in mind and read up on the fine print when you're searching for accommodation.

Inside The Beach House Roatan

What are some nice hotel options? The Beach House Roatan is a luxury, boutique hotel located in the center of West End and sits directly on Half Moon Bay. Prices start at $175/night + 19% tax and include breakfast.  For travelers wanting a more affordable, basic accommodation, we invite you take a look at Anderson Sunset Villas. They offer studio rooms and two-bedroom apartments between $45-75/night. Contact us for availability. 

Vacation Rentals

Depending on the size of your group, a vacation rental condo or a house might be what you're looking for. With prices ranging from $600-1,200/week for 1, 2 or 3 bedroom options, condos can cut down on your accommodation expenses (one 2 bedroom condo can be cheaper than getting 2 hotels rooms) and give you the freedom of cooking your own meals. Caribbean Colors offer a variety of properties in West End and the surrounding areas, and their properties offer modern amenities, great locations and stellar service.

Transportation

If you're staying in the West End area, the great news is that you can walk to practically everything! Lodging, dive centers, restaurants and bars all sit within a small area. However, when it comes to airport transportation, traveling to Coxen Hole or the eastern areas of the island, you will need wheels. Taxis are a great, safe option to consider. They will be more expensive if you want a private taxi, but if you're fine sharing the ride with others, you can request a "collectivo". Taxis here don't have meters, so generally you will agree upon a price before getting in and heading out. The price will fluctuate depending on location and number of people. Remember to bring small bills, since taxies here rarely carry change! 

Activities

Check out some fun island activities at Go Blue Bay Islands

Roatan offers a range of activities, but of course we are most famous for our diving! The costs for diving on Roatan is some of the most affordable in the world, especially when you consider how healthy and vibrant our reef is and how many dive sites we have to offer.
Other activities like ziplining, snorkeling, spas, fishing, golf, or boat excursions are available as well. The cost varies per operator, but we encourage people to consider responsible eco-tourism. For more information about supporting eco-conscious businesses, visit Go Blue Bay Islands, who together with National Geographic can guide you to vendors and operators who demonstrate their commitment to the environment. They rock!  

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Hopefully we've managed to give you a nice overview of what things cost here in West End and piqued your interest about staying on our beautiful island! For more information about currency on Roatan, check out our other post, 5 Things to Know About Currency on Roatan. As we mentioned, while Roatan may not be be the cheapest destination available, it's still a great value when you take into account the total cost of a trip here, combined with the amazing value of being a part of a small island community with a nice blend of modern and rustic vibes. 

Want to know more? We're happy to help guide you through planning your next holiday to Roatan so please send us a note. We can't wait to hear from you!

5 Great Reasons to go Scuba Diving on Roatan

Roatan is often called the jewel of the Caribbean because of its many amazing features - its lush, hilly landscape, azure waters, the friendly people and diverse and rich culture. With direct international flights from Houston, Miami, Atlanta, Cayman and San Salvador, it’s also never been easier to get to paradise! Roatan’s claim to fame is, of course, its amazing reefs and marine life, so going scuba diving should be on the top of your "to do" list when you visit. Even if you've traveled to other popular dive destinations without going diving, here are 5 great reasons we think you should go scuba diving on Roatan!

These are just a few of the dive sites that cover the West End of Roatan - if we tried to include them all, we'd need a much bigger map!

Reason 1. The dive sites are super close

Since the reef starts only a few hundred feet from land, the entire island is basically one giant dive site. From West End alone, we have over 30 dive sites within a 10 minute boat ride, which means less time on the boat and more time in the water! Most dive centers run single tank trips because of the proximity of the dive sites to the dive centers, so you have the choice of one, two or three dives in the day and can spend your surface intervals comfortably on the beach with a cold lemonade (or beer, but only after diving!) in hand.

Reason 2. So nice, but you don't have to do them twice

The benefit of having so many dive sites in such close proximity means that unless you request to repeat a site, you don't have to. Obviously, if you're doing 50 dives out of West End, then yes, you will end up repeating some sites, but it's very easy to create variety in your diving experience. The West Bay area is filled with sand chutes, coral plateaus and mini-walls, while you get cool canyons and deep walls as you move towards Sandy Bay, so there are loads of cool topographies and points of interest to explore.

Reason 3. Diving a healthy reef in a protected marine park

The Roatan Marine Park was started as a grassroots movement 10 years ago to add additional protection to the marine reserve already set in place by the Honduran government. The last ten years have been a long battle for the Roatan Marine Park, but the fruits of their labor are definitely showing. In the Healthy Reefs 2015 Report Card for the Mesoamerican Reef, Roatan ranked highest in coral health and fish populations. Many other famous dive destinations, like the Great Barrier Reef, were not so lucky.

The continued work that the Roatan Marine Park does in conservation is what helps preserve our beautiful reef for many more years to come, so make sure to support them by purchasing a $3 daily ticket or $10 yearly bracelet.

Reason 4. Calm, clear conditions with mild currents     

A pregnant grouper

Throughout most of the year, we enjoy relatively calm, flat water on the surface, with underwater visibility averaging around 100ft/30m. While currents can vary from day to day, we usually have mild currents that make scuba diving a much more relaxing and enjoyable experience. 

When the weather does get rough on the north side of the island, many dive shops in Roatan have the flexibility to dive on the south side of the island, where you can once again find calm, flat conditions for diving. This type of flexibility is practically unheard of in most popular dive destinations. For us, we have a sister dive center that we partner with so that we can still offer our guests the same quality diving experience from both sides of the island.

Reason 5. Diverse marine life

While our colorful marine life population ties in strongly with Reason 3, we couldn't help but shine a special light on Roatan's underwater inhabitants. Whether you enjoy some of the bigger creatures or enjoy spotting the smaller, more hidden invertebrates we have it all! By having a healthy reef, it in turn brings in a variety of fish, crustaceans, bottom dwellers, shrimps and pelagic fish to these warm Caribbean waters.  

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So there you have it, 5 great reasons to go scuba diving on Roatan! If you're not a certified diver, there are plenty of ways you can still interact with our marine world, whether it be with snorkeling or with the PADI Discover Scuba Diving program. Our life on land ain't too shabby, either, so start planning your trip to Roatan today for the holiday of a lifetime!

5 Survival Tips You Need for Layovers

With the advancement of technology, the world has gotten smaller. You can connect with people of different cultures and languages all over the world, the smart phone has taken the place of books and pay phones, and you can travel to places you can't even pronounce!

And since we're on the subject of travel...layovers suck. Short or long, it doesn't matter, layovers are not fun. And even if you think that a layover will be short, there's a good chance that your transport will be delayed or cancelled, so it's important to be prepared for any transportation crisis.

Some context: I was catching a flight from Los Angeles down to Roatan, with an intended 90 minute layover in San Salvador. I've been on trips where the layovers have been really long before, and I've been prepared for them, but this was the first time that my layover was delayed to pretty cataclysmic proportions (cataclysmic, I tell you!). We spent about ten hours each day for two days at the airport (7AM to 5PM the first day, 6AM to 3:30PM the second) with a night in an airport hotel in between. There was a lot of going back and forth with the airline staff, a re-routed flight, and a lot of people panicking (justifiably) and getting quite angry before we could find a resolution. It was kind of a mess, and exhausting. I think I fared better because I was going home, not going on a precious one week holiday that was just slashed by a few days. I wasn't panicking, but I certainly wasn't happy with being stuck at the airport, away from my husband and work, without any substantial updates or information.

So whether you're taking plane, bus or boat, layovers are something you are going to suffer many times in your life if you want to travel and see the world. So let's discuss our Top Five Tips for surviving layovers!

Tip 1. Keep an extra set of clothes in your carry-on

If you're not planning on checking any bags in, you're good to go. Next!

If you are checking a bag in, make sure to keep an extra change of clothing in your carry-on, just in case you're stuck at the airport or need to be transported to a hotel without getting access to your check-in luggage. To keep your carry-on light and your packing efficient, just focus on clean underwear and a shirt made of light, thin material, that can be easily rolled up and stuffed away somewhere. Delays are more mentally tiring than physically tiring, and having a fresh set of clothing to change into can give you a bit of a boost, even if only for a second.

Tip 2. Layer, layer, layer

Airports, buses and airplanes are horrifically cold. I die every.single.time. I've learned over the years that instead of carrying a thick sweatshirt or hoodie, I should focus on thinner layers so that it takes up less room in my bag and I can adjust my layering as the temperature changes. It's not abnormal for the temperature to rise and fall in increments, and you don't want to have your only two options to be hotter than Hades or Arctic freeze. I always keep a thin cardigan and a scarf on me at all times, as well as a pair of socks. I have a gorgeous scarf that my friend got me in Saudi Arabia 10 years ago, and it's big enough to double as a pillow or a blanket, and just seems to match with everything I own. That scarf has been all over the world with me, and I will travel with it until the day it disintegrates.

Tip 3. Books are sexy

I didn't bring a book with me for this trip (because "the layover is so short, I won't have time read") and I deeply regretted it. I was smart enough to fully charge my computer and phone before I got on my first flight, but after 10 hours stuck at the airport, I eventually needed to recharge. I ate up my batteries faster than normal because I was contacting home a lot in the chaos and also trying to get some work done since I was stuck anyways, and while I was fortunate to be able to find an outlet nearby, when a flight's delayed and there's 100 passengers needing juice and only two outlets, blood will be spilled. Having a book would have helped pass the time faster and given me something other than work to distract me from the never-ending delays. 

If you don't want to haul around a heavy book, a reading tablet, like the Kindle, is a great way to carry multiple books in a slim package. The battery life on those things are normally very good so they'll cover you for a long time, and their screens are designed so your eyes don't get tired! A fellow passenger also very kindly lent me his portable charger when I couldn't find an outlet, and that really helped me out as well. I think for my next trip, I'll invest in a portable charger as well so that I don't start to panic when I see my battery level falling.

Tip 4. Keep a universal adapter on you

And in the spirit of charging things, keep a universal adapter in your carry-on when you travel. You never know what kind of outlets places will have, and you don't want to be low on battery, find an outlet and find out you can't plug into it! Universal adapters are pretty inexpensive, are small, and can save you a little heartache.

Tip 5. Keep a snack on hand

Airports can be super expensive, and sometimes they don't have any food options other than beer, burgers and pretzels. To make sure you don't get so hungry that you buy all of Burger King, keep some portable snacks, like chocolate, trail mix or nuts in your bag. Even sandwiches will do! Just be kind to the people around you and avoid particularly pungent food, like Indian lamb curry. Or deviled eggs. Or garlic toast.

Bonus tip. Be kind

This is one that I had to remind myself of constantly during my two 10-hours days at the airport. It's not the staff's fault that the flight is grounded or delayed. They are in the line of fire and take everyone's anger and blame, but nobody reacts very well to getting yelled at, and taking your frustration out on them will only make them not want to help you.

And don't just be kind to the staff. Be kind to your fellow passengers. Be friendly. If someone needs help, help them. No matter how bad your day is, someone else probably has it much, much worse, and showing even a sliver of kindness may be the only bright spot of that person's day. It doesn't cost you anything to be kind, but it may mean the world to someone else.

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Being stuck at the airport doesn't have to be an isolating event, or one that divides people. The people stuck on our flight actually bonded together very well, and though I wish I hadn't been stuck for so long, I am also grateful that I had the opportunity to meet some fantastic people and be in the position, for once, to assist others.

I learned a lot about myself on this very long layover, mostly learning that I'm actually capable of not stressing so much and of seeing the bigger picture, and that if something's outside of my control, then that's just the way it is. I saw people being kind to each other and taking care of each other, and it was a good reminder of humanity's ability to see beyond themselves and focus on others. It was a reminder that I was grateful to have, and I hope I don't forget those lessons learned any time soon.