Internship - Frequently Asked Questions

How often will I get to dive?
During the divemaster course, interns dive almost every day. Once the course is completed, you can make multiple dives every day.

What is the diving like on Roatan?
Dockside Dive Center and CoCo View Resort are located on the South shore of Roatan. Our central location offers dramatic walls (2 available as shore dives) and steep drop-offs. Within a 20-minute boat ride, during your divemaster internship you have access to about 20 different dive sites with swim-throughs, walls, wrecks and amazing sea life - many are within 5 minutes of the resort. The wreck of the Prince Albert is right in our front yard.

What kind of sea creatures will I see?
Roatan offers some of the best diversity of sea life in the entire Caribbean. From the tiniest anemone shrimp to the largest whale shark, our interns have the opportunity to see it all! Spotted eagle rays cruise just offshore, seahorses are common guests on the Prince Albert and several nearby dive sites (CoCo View divemasters are experts at finding these, and you can learn to spot them too), and divemaster interns will become friends with the barracuda and eels and groupers and cleaning shrimp who live just offshore. At various times during the year, whale shark sightings are not uncommon, and if you are very lucky, your internship may coincide with a visit from a passing pod of pilot whales or killer whales. The diversity of soft corals and sponges on the south shore transform the underwater landscape into a colorful paradise.

What is Roatan like?
Situated off the coast of mainland Honduras, Roatan is the largest of the islands known as the Bay Islands. It has a rich history that includes Paya Indians (remnants of their culture and civilization can still be found on the island) pirates and more recently, tourists from around the world. Local stories tell of pirate treasure still buried on the more remote eastern end of the island. Today, Roatan offers all the amenities of a tourist destination, including restaurants, nightlife and shopping, especially on the West End of the island. The scuba diving is some of the best in the Caribbean. Covered with lush tropical hills, flying into Roatan truly gives one the impression of landing in paradise. When not hard at work, our interns can explore the island and find out for themselves what Roatan is all about.

What do the interns do for fun?
Dive, dive, dive! Make friends with the staff and the guests at CoCo View and get to know your fellow divers. Roatan's dive community hosts periodic socials where you can meet other dive professionals and interns in a more relaxed, fun setting. And, the island is yours to explore. From the isolated East End to the bustling West End, there are plenty of things to see and lots of people to meet. Check out the Iguana Farm, go shark diving, swim with dolphins, take a submarine ride, go swinging through the trees on one of Roatan's canopy tours, hang out on the beach in West Bay, or enjoy an evening cocktail for sunset in West End. If you're interested in reef conservation, get involved with the local Roatan Marine Park projects.

What kind of housing will I be staying in?
A lovely 2 bedroom, 2 bath home on a lagoon near CoCo View Resort

Will I have room mates?
Yes, possibly 1 or 2 depending on how many interns we have that month

Are there laundry facilities? 
Yes, on site washer and dryer (interns must provide their own detergent)
 
How far is the house from the dive center?
  Aprox. 10 minute walk

How many interns will there be?
Depends on reservations – usually 2 per month

Do I need a Visa to be in Honduras for a month?
Yes, you must tell immigration here on Roatan that you want a 60 day Visa when you enter the country.

Is there a store nearby?
Yes, a well stocked grocery store is only 5 minutes away.

Will I have access to internet?
Yes, when it’s working!

What should I bring?
Any specialty foods that you like. Any medications you must have.

Do I need a laptap?
We strongly recommend you bring your own computer since access to another computer could be very difficult.

Will I have access to a phone? 
We recommend using Skype.

What expenses should I expect to have?
Anywhere from $500 - $1000 depending on how much eating out you do.
Expenses to expect are:
   - Basic supplies for house (i.e. toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, purified water)         
   - Food & beverages
   - Gas for boat and truck (skiff and vehicle are provided, fuel is not)