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Dive Review of Reef House Resort/Reef House Resort in
Honduras/Roatan

Reef House Resort/Reef House Resort : "Reef House, Roatan", Aug, 2015,

by Thomas Buechner, CA, US ( 2 reports with 2 Helpful votes). Report 8806 has 2 Helpful votes.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 2 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 2 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 3 stars
Snorkeling 3 stars
Value for $$ 3 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments This is the third time that we have stayed at the Reef House resort over the last several years. This is a low cost, no frills resort on the east end (south side) of Roatan. The main reason we stay here is that the dive sites are more pristine and the water is usually clearer. There is very little development on this end of the island so it is better in general. The other reason is that it is very low cost, normally sub $1000 for 7 days (diving, room and 3 meals a day).

As this resort is at the east end of Roatan and on a key there is really nothing to do other than dive. If you are looking for nightlife, shopping or dining then this is the wrong place for you.
The resort is small, ~12 rooms and a small dinning / club house / bar. The rooms are a bit rough but provide all the necessities (bed, fan, AC , hot shower and TV). In the passed it has been a very low key, quite. comfortable place for those that wanted to get away from the world and dive.

The food it pretty good for a resort of this size. If you have special needs or just don’t like certain food they are very accommodating. Meals are served family style at a big table.
The bar is very basic, soda and beer in the coolers and a small selection of liquors.
As we have visited this resort multiple times we have seen it try to improve and change. Sometimes for the better but lately for the worse. The latest stay will probably be our last, partly because we have visited Roatan many times over the years and partly because the resort did not leave a favorable impression on this visit.

The staff in general was not as friendly as in years passed. The resort in general appeared to be more run down than the last time we stayed (~1.5 years ago). The biggest disappointment was that there was a decision to create more business (income) for the resort by attracting locals to come to the bar in the evenings and weekends. As mentioned the resort is on a small key (~1/4 mile long) the is only accessible by boat. This make is feel very safe and private. The in the passed resort had a rule that is did not allow locals in unless they were invited by a guest. With the locals being invited in the resort it was no longer quite or private and there was a concern about theft / safety which had never been there before. In visit passed I never locked my room, leaving my camera, diver computer and other valuables sitting on the table in plain sight. After my last visit I wrote to the resort expressing my disappointment and concerns. Hopefully they have improved.
I have recently noticed that they have an updated website so with any luck they are better now.
Websites Reef House Resort   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience N/A dives
Where else diving Australia, Baja California, California, Cayman, Belize, Bonaire, Roatan, Cozumel, Turks & Cacios,
Closest Airport Roatan (RTB) Getting There Direct flights from Houston (IAH) multiple time a day.

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 82-84°F / 28-29°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 50-70 Ft/ 15-21 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Advise DM @1000psi remaining. 15' SS @ 500 psi
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins 1 or 2 Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 2 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities 3 stars
UW Photo Comments They are no real dedicated camera station or setup but there are separate rinse tanks on the boats and the dock.
Roatan is know for Seahorses. The last 3 times I have visited I have seen at least 4 in a week of diving. One trip I was able to see 10 during the week, many time multiple on a dive.
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Report currently has 2 Helpful votes

Subscriber's Comments

By Harry ONeil in VA, US at Aug 20, 2016 13:41 EST  
I was at Reef House in Jan. 2016 and agree with much of this review. Food was very good and kitchen was accommodating. Diving was good to very good. Never had another boat on our site or even close. The DM. Davitt, spent more time looking (and killing) lionfish, but when asked to spot seahorses, was most accommodating. The locals do come, but I enjoyed talking with them. During my week, they were there for only one night (Friday) and only for a few hours. Apparently there is a circuit that they do and each place gets visited every couple weeks or so. As I always lock most everything up regardless of where I'm at, I did not have any concern for theft. I used a table in the mail room as a camera table and left everything out, except cameras all the time. No incident. There was a safe in my room for passports, etc. Plan to go back in 2017.
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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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