Who we are
Josh Lease
Hi, I’m Josh, co-owner and founder of Barbary Coast Divers.
I’ve been diving since 1995 and I’m a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, SDI Open Water Diver Instructor, and Emergency First Response Instructor.
I love introducing new divers to the wonderful underwater world and bringing them to beautiful diving locations. I operate on the philosophy that the more people we can get under the waves, the more people will fall in love with and want to protect our oceans.
I hope to have the pleasure of helping you discover your love of the oceans and can’t wait to see you on one of our trips!
Kristy Hilands
Hi, I’m Kristy, co-owner of Barbary Coast Divers.
I’ve been diving since 2019 and I’m a certified Emergency First Responder and professional PADI Divemaster.
For me each dive is an underwater meditation — all you can hear are the sounds of the water and your own breath, and absolute beauty surrounds you. This is a unique and powerful experience and I want to share it with as many people as possible.
I’m especially passionate about introducing women to diving. In a traditionally male-dominated sport, I love teaching women how to master their equipment, manage their own safety, and be capable of helping other divers under water and above.
I’m excited to dive with you and introduce you to the quiet, powerful magic of the ocean.
Join us for a beautiful and relaxing trip to Utila, Honduras for a week of scuba courses and fun diving.
Situated on the southern end of the Mesoamerican Reef, Utila boasts incredible reef diving just minutes away by boat. With year-round warm calm waters and excellent visibility Utila is a prime locale to get certified to scuba dive or just kick back for some excellent fun-diving.
You have several package options for this trip. You can pursue your Open Water, Advanced Open Water or Rescue Diver certifications. Or if you just want to come along and dive select our Fun-Diver package.
The PADI SCUBA certifications are highly regarded, globally recognized certifications that allow you to dive and rent gear anywhere in the world.
A $500 Deposit is required to reserve your spot on the trip.
*All prices are based on double occupancy rooms
Join us for a beautiful and relaxing trip to Utila, Honduras for a week of scuba courses and fun diving.
Situated on the southern end of the Mesoamerican Reef, Utila boasts incredible reef diving just minutes away by boat. With year-round warm calm waters and excellent visibility Utila is a prime locale to get certified to scuba dive or just kick back for some excellent fun-diving.
You have several package options for this trip. You can pursue your Open Water, Advanced Open Water or Rescue Diver certifications. Or if you just want to come along and dive select our Fun-Diver package.
The PADI SCUBA certifications are highly regarded, globally recognized certifications that allow you to dive and rent gear anywhere in the world.
A $500 Deposit is required to reserve your spot on the trip.
*All prices are based on double occupancy rooms
El Nido sits on the northern tip of Palawan, where sheer limestone cliffs rise straight out of the sea and dozens of small islands scatter across Bacuit Bay. It's regularly ranked among the most beautiful places in the world, and the reefs below the surface hold up their end of the deal: coral gardens, walls that drop off along the karst, swim-throughs, turtles, and a steady supply of small critters for anyone who likes to slow down and look closely.
We'll spend seven full days diving with Palawan Divers, three dives a day, for 21 dives total. Late March and April fall in Palawan's dry season, so expect calm seas, sunny surface intervals, and water in the low 80s. Lunch comes with you on the boat, and afternoons and evenings are yours for El Nido's beaches, restaurants, and sunsets.
Getting to the other side of the Pacific takes effort, so we've built the schedule to absorb it. We overnight in Manila on arrival, fly to El Nido the next day, and take a full acclimation day before anyone gets wet. On the way home, another night in Manila keeps the connections from getting tight. A welcome dinner kicks off the trip and a farewell dinner closes it out.
As with every Barbary Coast Divers trip, you're traveling with a small group led by our own instructors, with the planning, logistics, and dive coordination handled for you. Your job is to show up, dive, and enjoy one of the best corners of the Coral Triangle.
Itinerary
Mar 31: Depart US for Manila
Apr 1: Arrive Manila, overnight
Apr 2: Fly to El Nido
Apr 3: Acclimation day
Apr 4–10: Diving, 3 dives per day
Apr 11: Fly to Manila
Apr 12: Depart for US
Included
Hotels in Manila and El Nido (double occupancy)
Round-trip domestic airfare, Manila to El Nido
Ground transfers
Seven 3-dive day packages with Palawan Divers
Gear rental (computers excluded)
Lunch on dive days
Welcome and farewell dinners
Eco-Tourism Development Fee
Not included
International airfare
Dive computer
Meals outside dive days and group dinners
Tips and incidentals
Refresher class (if needed)
Travel Insurance
Dive Insurance
Pricing: the more, the cheaper
Group size Price per person
(4) Divers $5,750
(6) Divers - $5,000
(8) Divers - $4,600
(10) Divers - $4,350
Your final price is set by the final group size, so every new sign-up lowers the cost for everyone, including people who booked early.
Payment
A $750 nonrefundable deposit holds your spot. Half the trip price is due 12 weeks before departure. The balance, minus your deposit and adjusted to the final group size, is due 6 weeks out.
Contact us
Have a question or just wanna get in touch? We want to hear from you! Fill out the form and we’ll be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!