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Dive Review of Roatan Aggressor in
Honduras/Roatan

Roatan Aggressor : "Roatan Agressor", Oct, 2018,

by richard s mcgowan, CT, US (Reviewer Reviewer 6 reports with 10 Helpful votes). Report 10638.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments This was our first Aggressor though we have been on 4 prior liveaboards and we were very happy with it. We had 16 of a possible 18 divers.

We came the day before and stayed at the Clarion Pineapple resort (25 or so minute drive from airport) which was very nice and had a sports bar with happy hour where we had dinner and lunch the next day. Food was good and reasonable. They also had a “nicer” restaurant and spa we did not use. The hotel had a free shuttle from the airport and a free shuttle to the boat (5 minute ride). The hotel offers a day rate which is good for the early Saturday arrivers (see next para) and on departure day for late flights – the boat will arrange the departure day. It was $45 with a $15 food credit, pick up from the boat and ride to the airport (the group shuttle back to the airport is $15 per head). Checkout is a hard 11 a.m., so we sat at one of the pools and had lunch until they drove us to the dock at 3:15.

The boat leaves from a dock it shares with Romeo's restaurant. Aside from a small beach resort about a ten minute walk, there is nothing there but houses and commercial. Several of the divers came in early and sat at Romeos for several hours until 3:30 boarding – they were very happy when boarding time came. Mario's entrees are about $25 and up but they have pizza starting at $12.

We had the bow cabin #1, which is the only dedicated full size bed – others have a twin on top. There was enough clothes storage (is there ever too much?) and they took your luggage after you unpacked so that made things easier. The bathroom on this cabin is against the hull which curves inward just here, so when I sat (I'm 6 foot) I had to lift my my right leg a few inches up the hull side wall – otherwise it would have pushed my legs together. Not a big deal and the the dive deck bathroom outside the main lounges was full size so always an alternative. Word of advice, another couple thought they had booked #1 but they had booked thru liveaboard.com and paid the extra money for the room, while we booked directly thru Aggressor. Their reservation came through as another cabin and they were not happy, but not Aggressor's fault – they will be booking directly from now on.

There is an open top moon deck which a few used Second deck is a ½ open sun deck, where most people hung out, with lounge chairs (6 or 8) adjacent to the hot tub (which a few people used). On this deck there is also small covered area over the bar and a table with bench seats. The dining area was adequate, standard.

The food was excellent. Varied, healthy (and not) and standard as much as you wanted. Wine and beer included, no hard liquor unless you brought your own. I would have to say this was the best food of the 5 boats. Homemade soups were delicious.

Dive deck was as expected in terms of size and space with 8 divers in the middle and the rest on the sides. You choose your spot as you came on. Note that wetsuits, etc, are hung on lines along the sides over the outer dive spots. Those there didn't seem to mind. Your tank is filled at your spot; you undo the first stage yoke when you are done diving. Just about all dove nitrox which ran between 31-32. They had 2 analyzers. As these were hot fills, you could always ask for your tank to be topped off 20 minutes before splash and they were happy to do it.

The entire crew was GREAT.

The dives were fairly straight forward, briefings were fine. Sometimes we dove a site 2x, sometimes 3x if the night dive was there. Most of the dives were at Roatan, though we dove 2 days at Utilla (we found Roatan to be better diving). Buddy diving required, you (actually they) put your fins on after you walk 4 steps down to the dive platform in the back, big step off the back, and they will take your fins off your feet in the water if you let them. 5 dives per day (1 night) x 5, plus 2 on the last morning.

Water temp was 83-84. many wore 3mm, a bunch of us dove in rash shirts and shorts though by the last few days I put on a 1mm long sleeve shirt (we did every dive). Air temp was 83-84. At night I wore a skin for protection.

They do NOT guide dives. They put 2 people in the water with yellow tanks and you are welcome to follow them and they will point things out to you and are as helpful as you ask them to be. But they do not check your deco time or air consumption, etc., and at the end will head back to the boat with or without you. On one dive they recommended we all follow to make sure we took the best route through some pinnacles – and we all did. Otherwise we might tag along with them for a while on and off, or not at all.

The diving was not hard. Little to no current, generally around 60-70 feet often on top of the reef at 20-40 on the return leg; though when we went into Dolphin cave on the last day the surge / current was nasty.

We came in rainy season and really lucked out with the weather. It rained a few minutes on a couple of days and was overcast a day or two, but otherwise was 83F and generally sunny (we were at Coco View the same time 4 years ago and it was overcast with occasional rain the entire time).

The fish life and reefs were very good. I can't say they were average average for this trip, but if this is average I'd be happy every time. On one night dive there were 5 octupi and we saw about 10 over the week (including one at 9 a.m.) We saw about 10 seahorses, about eight turtles, a couple of schools of squid (and individual), morays, toadfish, barracuda and a few reef sharks come to mind. They do a shark dive where they feed the sharks but compared to other shark feeding dives this was fairly tame; though the sharks did come close. Coral life and small life (which the area is known for) was good / very good – necklace crabs, pipe seahorses, flaming tongues, etc.

Friday night they have a cocktail party at 6-7 pm with wine and appetizers; then you are on your own for dinner – there are 2 restaurants you can walk to (one is ten feet away) if you want.

The arrange a group shuttle at 8 a.m. (off the boat time)to the airport ($15 / head). Which 10 of us took. You can get a taxi which we were told come by regularly - don't know cost. It was just easier taking the shuttle.

Coxen Hole airport waiting area is small and has only ONE food shop. A deli with good sandwiches which also serves liquor. The lines will quickly get long from about 11 a.m. onward as there is a grouping of flights starting about 2 p.m.

We flew Avianca JFK via San Salvador to Coxen Hole. No complaints and as nice if not nicer than the US airlines.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Roatan, Cozumel, Caymans, Bahamas, Key West, Bonaire, Belize. Turks & Caicos, Palau, Saba, St Kitts
Closest Airport Coxen Hole Getting There Avianca

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, cloudy, dry Seas calm, no currents
Water Temp 83-84°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 90- Ft/ 27- M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 110 feet, 500 psi on board
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

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

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments not a photographer but had a large rinse tank and center table for cameras with many charging ports
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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