Dive Review of Pura Vida in
Honduras/Roatan

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Pura Vida, Dec, 2007, by Randy Klumph, OR, US ( Reviewer 5 reports). Report 4316.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	This was our 3rd trip to Roatan (March 1998, Feb 2000). We stayed 2 weeks on the island, renting a house in West End. We walked daily to the Pura Vida dive shop. The staff at Pura Vida were very professional. All dives had detailed briefings. The divemasters were conscientious and worked hard to accommodate diver's needs and wants. The Pura Vida facility and boats were in good condition. Having a locked equipment room with a private locker was an unexpected bonus. This being Roatan, we carried our gear from shop to boat. This is ok with us, but some who have not been here before should be aware that this is the norm. If you need help, all you have to do is ask. The island has changed much over the last several years. On our first trip in '98 we encountered a friendly, easy-going island that matched our expectation of Caribbean life. Roatan is experiencing a tourism and real estate speculation boom that is transforming the island and its culture. From the moment we got on the plane to the island, to moment of our return, we were always hearing about investment property, condominium purchases, etc. all with the urgency of "I must get mine now." Everyone seemed to be trying to get in on the action. There are now several cruise ships per week docking at Roatan, with more planned. Food prices are comparable to restaurants in the US. We paid $17 US for two submarine sandwiches. Our favorite eatery was the Rotisserie Chicken shack and of course Dixie's. We had breakfast at Dixie's each morning. Coconut toast, fresh fruit and coffee, all with a beautiful, lazy view of Half Moon Bay. Great morning conversations with Dixie and her friendly staff. Many of the island's children are not going to school anymore, but instead are on the beaches selling trinkets to cruise shippers. We talked to many Islanders who are deeply concerned about the future of Roatan. Violent crime is on the increase and for the first time, we felt the need to be more cautious. Our house had a private guard. The diving was outstanding. We were surprised at the amount of coral (our last visit just after Hurricane Mitch). Lots of fish schools roaming the reef. A few large groupers and lots of small to medium ones. Many turtles, Morays, & Lobsters. Roatan diving is among the easiest drift diving, with boat rides rarely longer than 20 min. A few storms made boat entries a challenge. Overall, the local dive industry is taking great care of the reef and Roatan remains a terrific dive destination.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	251-500 dives
Where else diving	Carribean, South Pacific
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, windy, rainy, cloudy	Seas	calm, choppy
Water Temp	81-82°F / 27-28°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	50-70 Ft/ 15-21 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Safety stop starts at 750PSI
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	None
Dolphins	1 or 2	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities
UW Photo Comments	Crew took care, handling UWP equipment, but boats lacked a fresh water container. Although, the boat trips are so short it is not critical.

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Dive Review of Pura Vida in Honduras/Roatan

Pura Vida, Dec, 2007,

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Pura Vida in
Honduras/Roatan