Oz9591

We prefer the snorkeling from Halfmoon Bay. No beach to speak of...but, that means NO crowds or beach vendors, either!

There is a set of rock steps that you walk down and you're "at the reef!" The cover picture at the top of Bodden Tours FB page is the small beach we go to -- you can see a couple of snorkelers in the photo, too.

When we're looking for a beautiful beach, we definitely do West Bay Beach -- it's the beach where all the cruise excursions go, where most of the resort are located, tons of beach vendors and the reef is about 30 yards from shore.

At my age, I'd rather just step down a few stairs and be at the reef...then go enjoy the beach vibe at West Bay! It's just a matter of preference... you'll have a great day regardless of where you go.

Great information and contact info here on this website:

Family Travel Network -- http://familytravelnetwork.com/articles/opportunities_dogood_honduras.asp

The children of Roatan are ALL so precious!

HOW was Infinity Bay? We love that location. Great beach.

 

 

Location is great...plus, we spent Xmas week there, so the bar staff knew us.

 

We went to Bananarama for lunch (love their blue cheese & pepperoni pizza) Amenities are pretty much the same everywhere, I guess -- the pool is nice and a great place to "hide" from the beach vendors.

 

The pool, plus the proximity to the reef have made this our "1st Choice" for our next cruise [the "boss" says!]

Last month, 4 of us had Bodden quote us a "tour" with West Bay Beach only. ON his tour request form, we just wrote that we wanted roundtrip to West Bay Beach. No sightseeing, no monkeys, nothing else.

We had our own private driver take us straight to the beach (we spent time at Infinity Bay) and then took us back to the dock when we were done. $20 each, and he waited at the beach for us. Definitely a great deal...and nice to have pre-arranged (there were 4 ships in port when we were there!)

We've used them several times. All of the vehicles have had seatbelts and good A/C (our 2 priorities!)

We've visited several of the places on this list...

http://familytravelnetwork.com/articles/opportunities_dogood_honduras.asp

Great people on the island -- we love giving back.

We used Aqua Roatan (http://www.AquaRoatan.com) while on a Bodden Tour a few years back, they were at West Bay Beach. Not sure if they're still in business, have been "acquired" by the cruise line excusion's departments, or are prohibited from booking non-cruise line sponsored tours, but may be worth a look!!)

Guest, do you know if they're still in operation and book independent of the ship's excursions departments?

My DH and I will be doing the Zip-n-Dip tour and I have a couple of questions:

 

During the zip lining portion, where do we keep our belongings?

 

For the "Dip" portion: Are there any lockers at the Bananarama resort on West Bay Beach?? Since it is just DH and I, I don't want to leave our passports, camera, money, etc on the beach while we swim. (I know I don't need to bring our passports but I am not comfortable going on a private excursion without one.)

 

Thank you!

Was just there last week.

Free lockers at Victor Boddins zipline, $5/day lockers at Bananarama.

Didn't use either (but DID love the free wi-fi at Victor's place!)

Wow, I have never seen a water taxi out that early. This is great news.. was in a proper water taxi or was it Infinity's green one? They have there very one private.. I wonder if someone sorted it for you cause that truly is not usual. For that matter usually the charters come to you.. wonder if the charter set it up and just never told you. Or maybe things have indeed changed.

THat's probably what it was since the guys that ran the fishing boat told us to be out there at a certain time to look for the water taxi! The sme guy alwasys picked us up in the a.m., so I'm sure they arranged for it -- but easy to see those blue & yellow boats coming towards you.

We never took the IB boat, but thought about having them take us a few times... Seemed there was always a water taxi availble when we "needed" to go to West End!

Last visit stayed at Keyhole Bay--our new favorite! Good Stuff!

We've taken the water 'taxis' to WEst End from Infinity Bay at dawn to get to a fishign charter (3 of the 7 dayds we were there). So, it may just depend on the day and your luck!

The trip is great, though, except the one we took when we stayed a bit long in West End. Probably caught the last one of the night, dusk for sure and it was scary remembering how close the reef can be to the surface!

We paid $10 every tie for our family of 4. Well worth it, and the boys loved it.

The name of the beach is Palm Beach Resorts, however, the owner tells us she has taken measures to implement security from the main road to the beach. She has also been very active in pursuing the criminal investigation in this case.

 

The danger is not just isolated to this beach but any road off the main road. We have received a foto of the suspect who fits the description of our attacker. He was arrested lurking around the west side of the island with a gun fitting the description of the one used on us. If this was the guy, he and two others have also been linked to a murder committed there a day or two before we were attacked. The rental company is KIA rental. Again, we don't feel they were linked to this crime.

The recommendation of the last post is possibly the way to go.

Thank you for the information. We've "re-evaluated" our plans of renting a car on our upcoming trip -- I think we'll stick with Victor Bodden, too!

So sorry for what happened to you and the family, everytime I read it I flash-back to being carjacked in Austin, Tx years ago. I was "in a strange land", but at least in the U.S.!

It sounds like you and your children have a nice, strong support system to get you through the horrible memories of this event. My thoughts go out to you.

I'm interested in the name of the private beach. It seems like that is where the problem occured and the area we should know to avoid!

Also, which rental car company recommended that you head to the East End of the island to avoid the more populated areas?

It seems that for future cruisers, the answers to these questions would be great to assist in helping make plans (and knowing which businesses and areas to avoid!)

I think he sent that back in june but wouldn't he send a reminder one just before my cruise?

He has a sent a Tip Sheet with a reminder of the tour you booked, where to meet, etc. and lots of info about the island a month before our last few visits. If you didn't get this, I'd guess that you're not confirmed yet.

My advice is to write him and ask, or review the email that you received in June and make sure that you're "confirmed"! Is anyone else on your Roll Call going with Bodden Tours?

You could always ask if they received the tip sheet/confirmation.

Hi Oz9591 I also mentioned other names but he said they booked. Does Victor write back prior to the cruise to confirm the reservation we leave next saturday?

Yes, he will send a price quote that asks that you "confirm." Once you confirm, you receive another email with a confirmation of your tour, the meeting instructions, etc.

We've always received a Tip Sheet, too (about a month before each cruise)

If you didn't receive the confirmation, I'd definitely contact him... If I were you, I'd drop him a quick note to be sure that you were still on the list!

Oz9591 How come everybody I spoken to has gotten their guides name well in advance and I can't? We are the easiest people just want a nice sightseeing tour paying him for all day long probably be back within 3 hours 4 no later and just a scenic tour in the car. I have not heard from him since also.

 

Look everybody here knows who they getting but me.....

I wrote and requested guides for a few of my Bodden trips...have had Tex once and Lionel once, the last two times I just went with whoever was assigned when we got to the port (last minute bookings, so didn't bother making a guide request.)

Did you write and request a guide? I believe that is what most (all?) did on here from what I gather. You're not given a name in the Confirmation -- at least, I never have been provided one. But, once confirmed, I did write back to make requests on several of the trips.

We're planning on going again in December, requested Tex again and he had been already requested/reserved back in July. So, we again are just going to be happy with who we get! Can't wait to get a different perspective of island life and see all of the changes!

At least you got a name of a tour guide we didn't and we probably won't be using his services. I read that if his people are booked he contracts other people do do his tours for him. I not care for this and I would of used him only that to tell us he not know who our tour guide be until we arrive and seeing how many people here have gotten who they asked for or gotten a persons name such as yourself I just not feel like taking this tour any longer.

As a multi-Bodden user, we've always been happy with the guide we were assigned.

But for you, it's probably a good idea for you to cancel since you already have a negative attitude about your day in Roatan. In fairness, it would be nice if you let him know in advance since one of his 40+ guides will lose their daily pay if you don't show up without notice.

...somehow, though, I think you'll end up just being a no-show since it doesn't directly affect your wallet.

That looks like Pancho at Pirates of the Carribean zipline. Wow, who knew!? We have some pix of him from a distance, but never got close since he was tied up.

Thanks! I'll try that.

Another thought... go to Google Mail, or Yahoo and set up a "free" email account. Their Spam filters are not as strict as some (I really have problems getting mail from Road Runner and on my work domain!)

We usually set up an email address specific for each individual cruise (i.e. Gem080810). That way, I know exactly where to find all my confirmations for a specific cruise or vacation!

I hope that helps!

I booked with Victor a few days ago for our trip on Dec 1. Will he email the name of our guide or do I need to email and ask who it is? How does the payment part work? We are planning on a tour around the island, snorkeling on the glass bottom boat, seeing the monkeys, and DH and DS are going to do the zipine - do we pay seperately for each part - at the zipline, boat, etc. or do we pay all at the end? Anyone feel uncomfortable carrying that much cash around?

I just booked a trip for next year with Victor (my 4th time using his company). I have never requested a guide and always been pleased with his selection. However, you can write him and request a certain guide based on the reviews/comments available here, on his website, Trip Advisor, etc.

After you fill out his tour request form, look for a "please confirm" email with pricing quotes. Once you confirm by responding to this email, he sends a "Confirmation" letter with payment information. You pay at each location for the individual options that you have selected, then pay for the Bodden guide at the end of your day. Cash is requested and I have never felt unsafe on the island or with Victor's guides (one of the reasons we keep coming back!)

A couple weeks before your trip, he will send out a Tip Sheet with some more information (where to meet, etc.) It's helpful and always reminds us to pack some Off towelettes, just in-case! This letter and the follow-up after your cruise really make Bodden's tour stand out from all of the independents we have used...in the Carribean AND Alaska.

Hope this helps a bit to reassure you. I bet you and the family will have an amazing time. Roatan (and its' people) are truly wonderful.

I had that same problem when I didn't include a copy of my previous correspondence with him in subsequent emails. He couldn't seem to find my reservation without associating it with my previous emails from him.

 

I assume it is because he has some stock answers that he uses for basic questions. He is self-taught in both English and computer skills, so I just do everything I can to make his job easier.

I think you're right on. My family loved getting letters from Victor and complimented him on his command of the English language. Sometimes we had to "sound out" the words that he wrote, but found the effort that he made far and above what we expected.

I assume if I tried to write in Spanish my spelling and verbage might leave alot to be desired since I've never had a formal Spanish lesson or class. I know how to speak enough to be understood, but honestly have very little knowledge of spelling or all of the tenses.

Just reading these posts has inspired me to write Victor and see how he and his family are doing and remind him how much fun we had on his tour, and how much we learned and enjoyed the time spent with him. I would try to write him in Spanish, but don't want him to laugh too hard.

Did you know that your picture of you and the monkeys is in Victor's website? Just thought you would like to know that. Thanks for the info.

It looks like nixnutz also submitted a great review along with her photos -- http://www.boddentours.com/reviews.htm

I think it's nice to see the actual people who write the reviews -- puts a face behind the words!