Recommended Flight

United Airlines flight 2043 from Houston is the preferred flight. This flight allows enough time to transfer to the ferry to Utila. 

About Utila

Before all the hard facts about Utila, it must be stated that the island is a special place. It is best to not think about it it as Honduras. It has a unique history, a different people, it’s own language, and a different way of life. There is a clear laissez-faire culture that attracts people from all over because they are free to live their lives how they want to live. For example you’ll find a level of acceptance of queer culture that you will not find elsewhere in Honduras. 

Utila is the smallest of the Honduran Bay Islands (17 sq miles), after Roatán and Guanaja, in a region that marks the south end of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest in the world. Formerly a British Colony, British Honduras, and a part of the Commonwealth, Utila is traditionally an English-speaking island. Unlike Roatan there has been mild immigration of mainland Hondurans to Utila. So English is still the predominant language.

About Roatan

The largest of the Bay Islands, Roatan, like Utila, was a part of British Honduras and is a historically English speaking island. Roatan has seen significant emigration from Mainland Honduras, so the most commonly spoken language is now Spanish. Crime is now a slight concern on Roatan, but not anything like mainland Honduras. We’ll be staying in the popular West End area of the Island where it is very safe.

Honduran Entry Requirements

US Citizens are allowed entry to Honduras for up to 90 days without a visa. The length of stay you are allowed is up to the discretion of the immigration officer.

Citizens of other countries or those traveling on passports other than American need to check to see what their entry requirements and limitations are. You can generally find this information on the Honduran Embassy in the issuing country. I cannot give you any legal advice when it comes to passport and travel restrictions and allowances.

Your passport must be over 3 months away from expiration

Medical Facilities 

Clinic

While there isn’t a hospital on Utila, there are small clinics and a health center. There is also a medical emergency system in place with the doctors on the island. There are pharmacies that will carry most of what you need too, however if you have specialized medication, you need to be sure to bring an ample supply with you on the trip.

Hyperbaric Chamber

For such a small island, Utila is lucky to have its own hyperbaric recompression chamber. In the highly unlikely event you experience decompression illness, you will have access to a chamber without the need to leave the island and DAN insurance will completely cover the cost of the treatment.

Medical Emergencies

If there is a medical emergency that is too great for the facilities on the island to deal with, there is a small airport where emergency flights can land to take someone to either Roatan or La Ceiba on the mainland. 

Safety

It’s true, parts of Honduras are not safe, however Utila is widely considered the safest place in Honduras. Though it is rare, the only crime on the island is crime of opportunity. People are safe to walk home at all hours without worry.

Drugs

Drugs are illegal in Honduras. There are not many police on Utila, however, one should practice extreme caution when it concerns drugs. Also, drug use can increase the odds of decompression illness when diving. 

Weather & Climate

Situated along the Caribbean coast, Utila experiences high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. Temperatures fluctuate from 24.9°C (76.8°F) to 29°C (84.2°F) on the high end, to 19.8°C (67.6°F) to 23.3°C (73.9°F) on the low end. The relative humidity remains high, oscillating primarily from 76% to 83%, attesting to the typical tropical climate of the region. Following is a month by month breakdown of the months trips are planned:

• October
  • October is the beginning of the end of the rainy season with an average high-temperature of 27.5°C (81.5°F), and an average low-temperature of 22.6°C (72.7°F).
  • Average rainfall typically aggregates up to 135mm (5.31″) of precipitation.
  • The average sea temperature is 29°C (84.2°F)

• November
  • Beginning of the drier season with an average high-temperature of a still warm 26°C (78.8°F) and an average low-temperature of 21.1°C (70°F)
  • Average rainfall typically aggregates up to 130mm (5.12″) of precipitation
  • The average sea temperature is 28°C (82.4°F)

• January
  • January is the coldest month, though still humid, with the temperature often reaching an average high of 24.9°C (76.8°F) and an average low of 19.8°C (67.6°F).
  • Average rainfall typically aggregates up to 108mm (4.25″)
  • The average sea temperature is 27°C (80.6°F)

• February
  • February brings an average high-temperature of a 25.9°C (78.6°F), and a low-temperature of 19.9°C (67.8°F).
  • Average rainfall typically aggregates up to 88mm (3.46″)
  • The average sea temperature is 27°C (80.6°F)

• March
  • March has slightly warmer, drier, and sunnier than February, however it is generally a bit more humid.
  • Average rainfall typically aggregates up to 46mm (1.81″)
  • The average sea temperature is 27°C (80.6°F)

What is this Trip?

An 8 day voyage to Utila, Honduras during which you will dive every day and  enjoy the laid back island life of Utila by night. 

Available specialties options to add on include: Enriched Air Nitrox Diver

Who will guide the dives

I (Josh) will be your personal guide while on the trip. I’ve logged over 300 dives on Utila and have worked as a guide and instructor on the island.

What instructor certification does Josh have?

• I’m a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and Emergency First Response Instructor
  • You’re able to check any PADI professional’s credentials on PADI’s Pro Chek database
  • Just enter my Pro #535871

• I’m able to certify you in the following levels
  • PADI Scuba Diver
  • PADI Open Water Scuba Diver / Junior Open Water Diver
  • PADI Advanced Open Water Diver  
  • PADI Rescue Diver
  • PADI Master Scuba Diver
  • PADI Divemaster

• I can also certify you in the following SCUBA specialties:
  • Peak Performance Buoyancy
  • Deep Diver
  • Wreck Diver
  • Enriched Air Nitrox Diver
  • Night Diver
  • Self-Reliant Diver
  • Dry Suit Diver
  • Digital Underwater Photographer
  • Emergency Oxygen Provider
  • AWARE Coral Reef Conservation
  • PADI AWARE

• I can also certify you in the following Emergency First Response courses:
  • Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care
  • Emergency First Response – CPR & AED
  • Emergency First Response – Care for Children

Will I get a certification with I get on this trip?

You won’t earn a certification on this trip, however you could add on theEnriched Air Nitrox Diver specialty for you.

Included Mask & Snorkel

• F-Dual mask & Supernova Dry snorkel in 4 color combinations (a $60 Value)
• If you would like a different mask and/or snorkel you can choose from the Cressi line. A surcharge may apply

What if I want a different mask or other gear?

• I’m an independent Cressi dealer so I’m able to help you find the gear that will work best for you. Masks come in many shapes because there are so many different face shapes out there. I have a selection of different masks to try on so you can find the mask that suits you best. A different mask may come with a surcharge.
• I have access to Cressi’s full line of products, not just their scuba gear as well. So if you would like anything from a dry suit to a stand-up paddle board, I can help you find what you’re looking for.

Is the trip refundable?

The $500 deposit is non-refundable. Many things must be reserved and paid for upfront, which are non-refundable. I will do my best to give credit for future trips if possible. The remaining balance is refundable according to the following schedule:

• 12 weeks or more before the trip: 100% refund minus deposit
• 12 weeks – 6 weeks before the trip: 50% minus deposit
• 6 weeks – 3 weeks before trip: 25% minus deposit
• Less than 3 weeks: No Refund

For more details see our Terms & Conditions for Booking

Kids & Diving

Diving is a unique sport that parents and kids can enjoy together. Kids as young as 10 can take the Open Water course and become certified Junior Open Water divers. Certain restrictions apply for the child and the course overall. See the section about Kids & Diving at the end of the document for more information about the restrictions that apply to kids who dive.

These trips are designed with people of diving age in mind, however if you would like to bring children, please let me know and we can discuss.

Here are details about restrictions on kids and things to know about diving with kids as well as the certifications they can earn.

• 10-11 year-olds

  • Children this young require special instructor to student ratios 
  • Junior Open Water divers in this age range may only dive with a certified parent or guardian or a PADI professional
  • Max depth for these divers is 12m/40ft
  • If you would like to bring a child in this age range on a trip let’s talk.

• 12-14 year-olds

  • After certification Junior Open Water divers in this age range must dive with an adult certified diver
  • Maximum dive depth 18 meters/60 feet
  • After certification they must dive with an adult certified diver
  • Divers in this range are able to continue their education and move on to Advanced Open Water divers. From there, their maximum depth moves to 21 meters/70 feet.
  • They will be able to begin earning more advanced specialties as well, like night diving, Peak Performance Bouyancy and more.

• 15 – 17 year-olds

  • This age group is considered regular Open Water divers and has the same dive privileges as adults. 
  • Waivers must be signed by a parent or legal guardian