Any one has stayed at Reef House Roatan?

Tell me what do you think? Is it worth it for an advanced UW photographer?

Yes it is a consolation trip I rather be over the Far Side of World

Thanks a lot in advance for your attention and answers!

Cheers

Probably far too late for your trip, but I've been to the Reef House in Roatan 3 times now, since 2008.

I think the more advanced you are, the better this place is. It's all about the diving, which is excellent, and the divemaster (David) who is incredible.

First, the Reef House itself is a no-frills place, so do not expect a lot of amenities beyond TV (plenty of channels, good reception) and air conditioning. You go there to dive. No pool, no beach. No menu either - you sit down for dinner and they bring out a home-cooked meal, which is generally very good. When not diving, you generally sit around and talk with other divers.

The resort changed owners a couple of years ago, and I was told this year (Sept 2015) that they had a large note to be paid off soon. Once that note is paid off (within a few months), the new owner will start pumping money into much-needed improvements and general maintenance. The aging dive boat (Henry Morgan) is apparently going to get some rebuilding as well. (I was told, after banging my head, that next year the roof would be higher.)

It's a relaxing place, with an easy dive schedule. The boat goes out twice a day, for three boat dives total. Unlimited shore diving, but for me that's worked out to 1 dive per week, usually a Saturday afternoon checkout dive when I arrive. Breakfast at 8am, boat leaves at 9am for 2 dives. Come in for lunch, then back out at about 2. 1 afternoon dive, which can be moved to 1 night dive if divers request (one time a week). When I've been there (late September, and late January), the sun went down around 5:30, and it's quite dark by the 6pm dinner. Nitrox is available.

Last year my buddy and I went in late September and were the only two guests for the 11-room resort. Nice to have an empty dive boat to gear up on. I got in 18 dives, all of them to different locations, and almost all less than a 30-minute boat ride. ALL of the locations were in great shape, and all had excellent visibility save the few that are at the mouth of a channel (a bit murkier conditions). Water temp in late September was in the high 80's.

The reason I've gone back, and intend to go back again, is for the diving, specifically with the divemaster David. (Pronounced Dah-VEED). He's been there about 20 years and is intimately familiar with the dive sites. He can spot tiny things and knows where to look for them. He's really incredible at spotting things. He's the main reason to go there.

I've been there twice with Canon point-n-shoots in Canon housings, and this year with a Sony RX100 II with dual strobes. Next year I'll go with a D810 in a Nauticam housing. Pics here: http://www.cjcphoto.net/roatan2015/index.html

2014 pics here: http://www.cjcphoto.net/roatan2014/diving/index.html

The Reef House is located in Oak Ridge, which is about a 40 minute taxi ride from the airport. The good news there is that it's away from the most-dived areas, and all the reefs are in good shape. You rarely find any other divers at the same dive sites, though it's a bit east of Coco View and you sometimes see their boat in the distance.