Are we YOUR favourite dive shop? Vote Now!

A large number of you, our customers, have come back time and time again to us here at Coconut Tree Divers.  Some of you even come back at the same times of year, on a yearly basis, so we must be doing something right!

PADI has launched a "Dive Shop Appreciation Contest" where you can nominate your favourite dive shop (with a chance for the individual voter and the dive shop getting a prize).  If we are your favourite dive shop, nominate us!  All that is required is a few words on why we are awesome, and a photo.  Click the link below to find out more!

Click HERE to nominate Coconut Tree Divers!

In other news, Potlicker came out of dry dock with a fresh coat of paint, a repaired platform, and we're waiting for the refurbished tank holders to dry out before we put them back in service.  There are still a few things that need to be done, for which we need a rain-free window.

We also made our first run of the season to the South Side, where several seahorses were spotted. (We've been seeing more of those everywhere, actually!)

A few of us Instructors, Divemaster Trainees and customers went through the Roatan Marine Park programme for Lionfish Spearing Licenses with Nic from the Marine Park.  In an effort to protect the environment, the RMP representatives evaluate divers' buoyancy control (no exceptions, even instructors) and spearing skills before issuing a license.

Lionfish Kill

There will be an upcoming post with a lot more detail on the Lionfish problem, and a guide on how to properly spear and kill them.

Recent Sightings

Spinner Dolphins!!

We love Neck Crabs

And somewhere here, there should be a picture of a seahorse, from the Moonlight sand patch (photo maybe to come?)

Half Moon Bay Weather Report

Overcast, flat calm seas.  Great diving conditions with excellent visibility!!

Hot In Half Moon Bay

In the aftermath of the dive shop anniversary, it can happen that things slow down a bit in the shop….Not this year!  Every morning this week has seen our two boats - Potlicker and Wish U Were Here - go out for two tank dives.  Potlicker has been filled with about 60 to 80% return customers.  Wish U Were Here is operating on a separate schedule to accommodate a group of 9 ski patrollers and kayak guides from Colorado, on their "spring escape".

Some of the return customers, Kevin and Frances Bugbee, a couple from Boston who come to Coconut Tree on a yearly basis brought an interesting display item for the shop.  It turns out that we were featured in a "things to do in Boston" publication called The Improper Bostonian…Not that we are in Boston or the North East, but we are definitely a "thing to do".  If you saw us featured, leave a comment!

Things to do (but not in Boston)

On another note, Coconut Tree and the Roatan Tec Team welcome a group of Tec divers and Instructors from Utila Dive Center, who have planned an epic Tec dive to 400ft scheduled for tomorrow afternoon - check our Coconut Tree Divers and Go Pro Caribbean Facebook Page for photos and details to follow.

Half Moon Bay Weather Report:

More.  Sweat.

Recent Sightings:

Octopus @ Hole In The Wall

Pipehorse @ Blue Channel

Many many Juvenile Spotted Drum @ all over the Northern Marine Park

Familiar Faces

Almost every week, and certainly every month, a familiar face reappears at Coconut Tree.  People come and go, but there are certainly many who return year after year (you know who you are!) - and they often seem surprised to see many of the same faces behind the desk or giving the dive briefings.  And then all the way from Oz, Jules appeared…

Ever elusive to the camera, we were not able to find a photo of Jules underwater...

After nine months of travelling in Central Asia, Scandinavia and Latin America, Jules arrived in Roatan ready for two weeks of sun, sea and a half-hearted desire to do a bit of diving. Her original plan was to refresh her dive skills, and maybe do a couple of fun dives . But, Jules didn’t count on falling in love with Roatan or falling in love with diving… 

Those few days turned into eleven weeks and Jules went from (in her own words) ‘a flailing air thief’ to diving five or six days a week, doing the morning two-tank dives and the odd night dive.  At Coconut Tree, Jules did a refresher course with Monty, and then completed her Advanced Open Water with Marco within her first week at the shop. She now has more than 70 dives in her Coconut Tree log book.

Jules said, “When I came here in November, I didn’t ever think that I would do my Advanced Open Water, let alone gain the confidence to do night dives, to enjoy deep dives or even complete a 74 minute dive. But, I did!  And, I definitely didn’t expect to spend eleven weeks diving, to talk diving or even buy some dive gear!"

So, what’s next for Jules? More diving of course…And maybe, just maybe, we’ll see her back at Coconut Tree to complete the much discussed Rescue Diver and Divemaster courses.

Recent Sightings:

5 Turtles (one dive) @ Half Moon Bay Wall

Criss-Cross Tritonia @ Shallow Aquario (night - it's very very small...)

African Pompano!!! @ Shallow SeaQuest (a first for Marco!)

Half Moon Bay Weather Report:

A beautiful day for diving, Potlicker is out at West End Wall

Hot in the sun, with the flag on the glass bottom boat only flapping half heartedly.