Diving Roatan Honduras // Dive Cruise // Wikkid Divers – Ecologic Adventures
Roatan Dive January 2020
First dive of the new year; this was the was the most-anticipated dive of a four-day-straight dive cruise. New Year’s Day dive from a catamaran; with just the six of us on board. None of us had dove Roatan, and we were absolutely amped with excitement to dive in this legendary location. We were not disappointed; Roatan and Wicked Divers exceeded even our very high expectations!
Finding the Complimentary Shuttle
The cruise ship docked in an area that looked like the BVI to me; hilly, lush green, with roosters crowing everywhere. It feels like Tortola, down to the red dirt and banana trees.
We had been forewarned that we must proceed to Booth 5, ask for Thomas, and that everyone would say they are Thomas. We didn’t know that there are booths, and there are terminals for bus tours. The booths lie to the far right after you come off the main pier.
First, we waited at the ship’s courtesy station for our group to gather, then we headed through the shopping area.
Well, it was just as described – everyone claimed to be Booth 5, and everyone claimed to be Thomas. The real Thomas found us, thankfully, and off we went. It was a fairly long trip down the street to where he had parked the van. We were very glad to have rolling bags.
Coming out of the cruise ship terminal, it’s a crazy chaotic construction zone. The excursion hawkers told us the booths had recently been relocated, and that’s why everyone was confused and thought they were #5. Sure. I think that’s their story every day! I cannot blame them – they have one shot to catch your attention, make that tourist dollar.
Later we did suggest someone could send a photo of Thomas to us so we would recognize them. Holding up a sign with your name on it apparently does not work – someone will quickly copy what’s on the sign and stand nearer the ship to waylay you!
Travel to Wikkid
Anyway – the trip to Wicked Resort is about 30 minutes. We are always glad of a long ride to a dive operator. It gives you some time to relax from the stress of disembarking and hustling to a taxi. Best of all, you get to see some of the island! That’s the very best!
Arrival at the South Side of the Island
We arrived at a tropical paradise, and quickly explored the dive shop and grounds. It’s tucked next to a larger resort, Las Palmas and anyone overnighting at Wikkid enjoys reciprocal beach and pool privileges.
Wicked has a freshwater pool, simple rooms for about 10 guests, a full kitchen and dining room, balconies and porches.
Plus, there’s a hummingbird feeder busier than Heathrow. Dozens of hummingbirds are darting around, with six seated and guzzling at any moment. They don’t mind you coming very close to watch them or take photos.
Prep and Pounds
Once paperwork was handed over and final payment made, we gathered weights and headed to the boat. We were on a 50 foot catamaran manufactured in Cape Town, South Africa. We were on the four-cabin version, and their other cat is the owner’s suite plus two cabin model.
All our gear was loaded straight onto the boat by the two dive masters, Sonje and Mike captain Paul, and crew Freddie. Four crew to our party of six!
The boat is very wide, and everyone was able to set up their gear across the stern on a wood deck, then relax while heading to the dive site.
Heading to the Dive Site
Our dive master Sunje opted to take us to the famous Mary’s Place. I was secretly thrilled – it’s one of the most famous “not to be missed” spots there. Double excitement! A huge catamaran all to ourselves, and a famous dive site!
The water was flat calm, and we headed out. Sunje pointed out a dive site right off the resort where she said there is great diving, and they go there if it’s horribly choppy outside.
On the way out, we noticed a catamaran about the size of ours, but packed full with about 50 divers and snorkelers on board. We felt like movie stars! They must have wondered what important people we were to have a boat all to ourselves. We’re pretty regular people – just the type that does a lot of research in advance!
At Mary’s Place, we waited briefly for a boat from CoCo View to depart the popular spot. We picked up a mooring at Mary’s Place, and got ready to get in the water.
A big step right off the back of the boat – what could be easier? Especially with Wikkid Divers’ staff helping on the stern.
First Dive: Mary’s Place!
Immediately, we were already on top of a stunning coral reef at 15 feet. Holy cow. From there, we spiraled lower and lower around the reef, then headed through some incredible canyons. We had spectacular views in all directions, absolutely breathtaking vistas, and gorgeous coral, sponges, and structures.
The absolute beauty was mind boggling. We went through several canyons. I was glad I always have a dive light with me – there was so much to see in the rocks.
The visibility was absolutely insane. I have to say, next to Cuba, this was the best diving of my entire life – and on New Year’s Day! What an amazing way to start the new year!
There was non-stop fish life, amazing corals, soft corals, so much to see. Bill said he could have done this dive three times a day for an entire week and not run out of subject to photograph!
The safety stop was absolutely ridiculous; we headed back to the shallower part of the reef and spent the next ten minutes swimming around in 15 feet – our safety stop was part of the visual delight of the dive! No hanging on an anchor line or hovering 50 feet off the bottom; we were still diving!
Surface Interval
During the surface interval, we headed south and the crew served delicious watermelon, water, sodas, and cereal bars. Our group either lounged in the huge cockpit area or slept on the trampolines as we headed to the next dive.
D2T Dive Site Near Carnival
We were back toward the Carnival cruise line private island, and picked up a bouy at what they call the D2T site. We were right off the beach where the Carnival cruisers were horseback riding and snorkeling.
Another glorious dive awaited us, with the same immediate reef at 15 feet so constant views all the way through the dive. Again, tons of fish, sea life, gorgeous growth. Sunje led and Mike brought up the rear both dives.
The diving was absolutely spectacular both dives, and I played around with some new filters from Backscatter on my old GoPro 3 which is still producing quality video and stills – now resurrected and even better with the filters!
Again, we marvelled at the visibility. I would estimate it was at least 80 feet, and it wasn’t even a “good day!”
Our crew wore anything from rash guard shirts to shorty to full wetsuits. The water temperatures were pretty nice considering it was the beginning of January!
These divers are about 80 feet away from me. I could see them clearly.
Again, our safety stop was more diving! We came over the top of this reef, then settled at about 20 feet for a short distance. The rest of the safety stop involved just poking around at 15 feet watching the fish and admiring the coral reef.
After the Dive
Topsides, we rinsed and drip-dried ourselves and our gear. The crew served a cheese and meats platter, chips, and there was a fully stocked open bar as well as cooler full of local beers for our enjoyment.
Back at the dock, we had the option to swim and lounge around their freshwater pool while our gear dried further.
My dives were both 3,000 psi to 1,000 psi about 45 minutes each. We did swim through canyons, so there was a bit of kicking to move through, but very little effort overall. Quite easy diving. I wore a 1mm suit and was glad I did. On our first entry, we saw some small jelly fish and felt a tiny bit of stinging.
Touring the Grounds
The owner, Kendall, gave us a tour of one of the rooms and kitchen and dining room. The facility would be perfect for a family or group of 10-12 people for a week. Kendall said they can bring in a cook for meals, or you can grocery shop and prepare your own, or a combination of those.
Also, next door at Las Palmas there are bars and restaurants available, and use of their beach. I did see Wikkid has some kayaks. Watching the hummingbird feeder for an hour would be pretty delightful, too.
They called our van for us for transport back to the ship. We still had about two hours in Roatan for shopping or wandering shore-side.
Why Dive From a Cruise Ship
One of the reasons we go on a cruise dive is to sample a couple different dive spots. Another is to avoid being shut out at one location; with four different countries; if one suffers from bad weather, we probably still have a few other dives we can enjoy. Bad weather in one country does not mean a scrubbed dive in the next!
For us, this was incredibly comfortable and enjoyable diving. We plan to return for a week. We were told that the week before we were there, the entire week was a wash – no diving. It’s hard to imagine all the preparation for a week-long dive trip then not getting to dive at all. That’s why the cruises are “safe:” chances of all your dives getting cancelled is slight.
We plan to try it, though – a whole week in Roatan. I plan to look to see if there is any shore diving, so it’s affordable as well as beautiful.
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