8 replies to this topic

[fairfield59]

Hey all. I have been looking into a trip to Little Corn Island off the coast of Nicaragua, but haven't been having much luck in finding out how the diving is. I found one trip report on Scuba Board, but that's it. There is alot of info about the island and places to stay/eat, and how to get there, but not much on the actual diving.

Has anyone dove there or have any info about the diving?

Thanks!

Gerry

[fairfield59]

Well. Even though no one has heard of Little Corn Island, I went ahead and booked a trip end of May. I'll be sure to post a trip report. Diving with Dolphin Dive.

[WreckWench]

Wish you could have joined us in Dominica but I'll be thrilled to hear how you think the diving is. Maybe this is a future SD destination???

[fairfield59]

Wish I could have made Dominica also. I will definitely post a trip report when I get back.

[WreckWench]

I look forward to it! I'm also curious about how well a large group can move in and out of the area. I understand the hotel (I think there is only one) is really nice but can't recall what a friend of mine from Texas told me about the diving. As I recall he REALLY liked it and he had done a lot of diving in a number of places.

I hope its a great trip for you. It would certainly be unique and unusual which is a hallmark of many SD trips!

p.s. Perhaps you could also takes pics and collect any brochures the hotel/dive op might have if you like the hotel and dive op.

[fairfield59]

There is one brand new "resort" on the island, but it is a yoga/zen type place and way expensive ($300/night?) and all inclusive. No diving that I know of. Frankly, I have no idea why they built it.

There are a couple "hotels", very small, but most of the lodging choices are extremely basic. There are many places where you can rent a hut, or a casita. Some have private baths but a good chunk are shared. The lodging on the east side is natural, as in no air conditioning, they say since its the windy side of the island you don't need it. No glass in the windows, mosquito netiing provided on all the beds. Not much, if any electricity, and its off for part of the night. West side is hotter with less wind, and where alot of the restaurants and other lodging is.

I'm staying at Los Delfines, which is one of the few air conditioned places on the island. For my first trip I figured I would be safe with regards to some creature comforts. It is attached to the dive shop, Dolphin Dive, and I got a package deal with them. 7 nights hotel and a 10 dive package for around $475. All gear is included, as there is a 30 lb weight limit on La Costena Airlines flights from Managua to Big Corn Island. I'm leaving my BC at home.

For an island that's a little over 1 square mile, with around 800 inhabitants, there seems to be a lot of restaurants. From what I've read, street food is incredibly cheap(think loaves of fresh coconut bread for $1 and fried meat pies for $0.25 a piece). One of the lodges offers a 4 course diner each night from $9-18, with lobster at the high end of the range. I think there are also lots of little places, peoples homes, really, where they put a table and chairs in their backyard and serve food. They also say mangoes, avacados, and coconuts grow wild and are there for the picking.

The dive op I'm using I think can handle 16 divers on 2 boats, the other one, Dive Little Corn, is bigger and a PADI 5 star op.

I can get there in one day, leaving at 6 am and expecting to get to the island by 6 pm, so its not terrible. I'm flying into Managua, then geting a puddle jumper to Big Corn Island, then a boat to Little Corn Island, which has no motoized vehicles, and no roads.

Diving sounds very easy, with nothing deep. Seen videos of reef and hammerhead sharks. Return to dive shop between dives. One unique site is about hour boat ride, Blowing Rock I think it is called.

I will definately write a trip report, and update all the stuff I've read about with what is actually there. I don't think this would be a typical Single Divers type trip, but there may be some people who would be interested. It is supposed to be one of the last unspoiled carribbean places. No zip lining, but loads of beaches with no people.

Oh, and beer is $1 a bottle. I'm all in.

Gerry


http://littlecornisland.net/ is where I got a lot of my information.

Edited by fairfield59, 20 March 2013 - 10:08 AM.

[WreckWench]

Diving unspoiled places IS what SD is about... think Dominica, Cooper River, NC etc. Offering places people want to go regardless of where it is is also what SD is about...think Bonaire, Cozumel, T&C and other places we have repeated a number of times. But finding NEW places is truly what we strive to do!

I await your trip report so we know if this is a possible new venue for us!

[fairfield59]

Will do!

Send me some SD swag to hand out to the locals.....

Maybe a Cochran or two.....

[fairfield59]

My home away from home in 38 days....