I got certified at the Oak Bay Resort in Roatan, Honduras in Nov. 2002. It’s run by the divemaster Gary, and he was exceptional. He got my whole family certified, even my Mom, who isn’t a strong swimmer, and was patient and fun. Everything is done on the reef, in about 15 feet of clear water, great conditions to learn in.
Roatan was great that time of year, warm waters, cool breeze, and the occasional mid-afternoon cloud burst, which really didn’t hamper our diving. I highly recommend checking it out; even if you get certified at home, it’s a great spot to dive.