We chose Discovery island resort for their dive center as we expected to find the ambiance of passionnate divers staying and diving together and sharing dive stories at the bar at the end of the day watching the beautiful sunset... maybe we had too high expectations!
First there is no dive center per se on the island, they deal with a dive center on the shore so there is no advantage staying there. There were very few people and no ambiance at all. No dive staff on site.
The rooms are average, certainly not « modern », almost no hot shower, smelly bathroom, our bathroom sink faucet would get you showered everytime you try to wash your hands. The bedsheets were clean albeit with old stains but they mattresses were really hard.
The pool needs some TLC as the tiling paint is missing in big patches which is not very enticing and although it looks big on the pictures you can’t really swim much. The sunbeds around the pool are dirty plastic and they don’t recline so you either lay down or sit with no back support. There is no comfortable reading position seating . I realized also the various dirty dogs that wander the property love to lay on the chairs which explains why my towel was covered with hair... yeak!
There is no beach area where you can swim as the island is surrounded by either mangrove or algaes.
The restaurant is really average, breakfast not included and choices are boring. My first fruit platter had no mango, no banana but apples and dry orange quarters. I had to request that they buy mangos! Which they did the next day. I have to say one of the positive is the staff friendliness. They tried to cater to our needs but they can’t offer what they don’t have and can’t make up for the lack of maintenance of the place.
Then you are a bit trapped on this island; everytime you want to go on land you need to ask for a boat ride. It’s free and they are very flexible to arrange it for you but if the boat is gone you may have to wait up to 20’ until they come back, then 10’ ride to the port and then either you walk or get a tricycle. The return is even more complicated. You can’t call them to get them to pick you up at the port. You need to go to the Blue Moon café ( that you would not visit otherwise...) which conveniently belongs to the same owner as the resort and ask that they call the boat to pick you up and then wait and then walk again to the pier... then you cross the bay in total darkness with the boat staff that dies not speak a word or answer any attempt at small talk which makes the whole experience a bit anxiety generating...
Overall, not worth the trouble, there are many other options in town or if you want to be on an island then choose one that is beautiful and a bit more animated. Would not return or recommend even with a good deal.
