Did anyone go on the deep sub "Idabel" in Roatan?

Going to go off on Central America treck for a month mid february-mid march with stops at least in Roatan, Costa Rica and Panama, possibly also Nicaragua. Recently read Ethan Gordons article in Fathoms about Karl Stanley's deep submersible Idabel and the 6-gill sharks in Roatan

http://stansub.fotki.com/animal_life-1/sha...ep/sixgill.html.

Has anyone done this subride? Was the 2000ft dive worth the $1000? Does ths sub bring lights so that photography is possible? Any other recommendations for Roatan/Utila/ Costa Rica/Panama UW photo sites?

Can't comment on the Roatan sub, but I'd recommend giving Utila a look over Roatan. I spent two weeks in Roatan last year and six weeks in Utila the year before. Utila seems to have more whale sharks nearby, and the way the boats go out (usually around to the north side, meaning a lengthy ride during which the captains look out for sharks) allows for more possible encounters. And Utila was a much more fun place to be. Anyhow, if you are interested in whale sharks at all, go to Utila.

I only can help you on Costa Rica.

Best place in terms of U/W photography is Isla del Caño ( obviously , besides Cocos ) . Very clear water and anything could happens.

Also you can contact Miguel Sanchez , IMO the best dive guide in Costa Rica. He runs a small operation that can provide you with "gourmet diving " around Playa Cocos , Catalina and Bat Islands.

He used to work with lot of photopros, as former dive guide on the Undersea Hunter and he is an excellent videographer.

You can contact him at miguel@almacodiving.com

www.almacodiving.com

If you want to shoot some wildlife , the best place is Bosque del Cabo at Peninsula de Osa . Not cheap but worth every cent.

Good luck

Jose Alejandro

Oh, thank you Jose and Daniel!

Daniel, what time of year did you go? Do you think Whaleshark encounters are possible this time of year - February March? If so, I will definetly go to Utila.

Jose, thanks for the contact info and the wildlife tip. Still putting together ideas of where exactly to wander to so this is most excellent info!

Pictures anyone?

Has anyone done this subride? Was the 2000ft dive worth the $1000? Does ths sub bring lights so that photography is possible? Any other recommendations for Roatan/Utila/ Costa Rica/Panama UW photo sites?

We did the sub at Georgetown, Caymay several years ago. I believe we went to about 800 ft. It cost ~$us300. It was worth it for a 'do it once' activity. We shot fast film and got good images with the sub's external spot lights/

Marjo

I went to Isla del Cano in 2005 after a trip to Cocos and Malpelo . I left my housing and dive gear at San Jose ( big mistake ) so no u/w pictures to show . But i had one of my best experiences snorkeling among a feeding pod of dolphins and some silkies. I was the only one in the cristal clear waters , lot of sun , calm seas , amazing action in front of my face ........ and no camera !

But if you are in to wildlife photography , Costa Rica is the place . Here you have the link of a gallery from my trip

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaalvarez/set...494307791/show/

 

Daniel, what time of year did you go? Do you think Whaleshark encounters are possible this time of year - February March? If so, I will definetly go to Utila.

 

 

I was in Utila through February and into March of '04. Got in the water with whale sharks many times in February, and they were definitely still around in March, but I don't think I was in the right place at the right time by then. On all but one of those encounters I was just jumping in amongst the sharks pretty far from shore, so no scuba gear on. That's the way they tend to find sharks in Utila: they cruise out looking for signs of baitballs (birds overhead is a good sign), then they get nearer, and if a shark is spotted by the captain they tell everyone to quietly get in the water with just snorkel gear. Some people just swim at the surface while others (like me) freedive to get closer to the shark and get better angles for photos.

 

Anyhow, I think February is a great time to be in Utila. It's a fun place, too. You can see some of the pics I took in Utila and Roatan here.

 

If you do go to Utila, Cross Creek has a good dive operation and is a nice place to stay. Utila Dive Center is very well known and deservedly so, but they tend to be almost too busy. But all the shops put in time trying to find whale sharks, so if you get on a boat in the morning and afternoon you should have a good chance.