1st Annual Utila Dive Festival 18-25 August 2012

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UtilaDiveFestival

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Location
Utila, Honduras
# of dives
Utila Dive Festival is an exciting week long event highlighting the island of Utila – both above and below the water. Underwater, we will have daily themed dives, photo contests and a scavenger hunt. At the surface the parties, Taste of Utila and prize giveaways will draw a crowd with opening and closing beach parties.

The event, scheduled for August 18-25, is designed not only to attract a wide range of visitors but also to benefit the entire community of Utila. The Utila Dive Festival was created to highlight the tiny diving Mecca of Utila, one of The Bay Islands located in the Western Caribbean just South of Belize. Utila Dive Festival 2012, is a week of diving, dancing, dining and discovering on a tropical island whose heart beats scuba day in and day out.

The Utila Dive Festival is focused on building an atmosphere that will both educate and foster the enjoyment of sharing underwater experiences and also highlight what Utila has to offer as a vacation destination. Our best assets are being part of the largest reef in the Western Hemisphere that surrounds the islands, the over 99% of Caribbean sea life that makes it’s home in our waters and the elusive Whale Shark, the Worlds largest fish that has been seen here all year round.

Traditionally a beginners diving paradise, Utila has progressed over the years offering specialty training courses, tech diving, reef ecology and professional training packages. In recent years, many dive resorts and the Utila Aggressor have influenced Utila’s overall breadth, offering fun diving experiences mixed with casual Caribbean getaways. The myriad of Mom and Pop-shops, restaurants, crazy little seaside bars, topside activities and nature excursions round up the island as a fun happening place to spend a dive or water adventure vacation.

There will be specialized diving activities held throughout the week including a photography competition, advanced buoyancy workshops, reef ecology and whale shark talks, tec and sidemount try dives including closed circuit rebreathers. There will also be social events in the evenings, Caribbean island style with a 'taste of Utila' food fair. So far our sponsors have committed over $7000 in retail value of prizes and include;

12 Sealife Cameras
Aqua Lung regulator, BCD and mask/snorkel and fins
Scubapro MK25/S600 regulator
6 GoPro HD Hero II sports cameras with housing
Intova cameras and light
2 DiveRite sidemount rigs, reels, SMB's and wet notes

There are also courses and vacation stays at various local dive resorts and centers worth an additional $3000 to be won!

Many of the islands dive operations and resorts are offering festival specials that week and more details can be found here Special Offers - Utila Dive Festival week |, so whether you wish to travel as a single diver or come with friends and family, this will be the perfect week of diving with social events below and above the water to partake in.

Make your plans now to experience the first annual UTILA DIVE FESTIVAL 2012, a scuba divers nirvana!
 
Looking good Utila Dive Festival :cool2:

I'm seeing the banner up at the top of the page every second day.

Wishing I was going to be there, maybe I'll console myself by putting on my mask fins and snorkel and heading down to the aquarium shop. Hey...you know how much a lion fish goes for at the shop ?

$150

Think about that next time you're making up a batch of ceviche or loading up the grill. Lifestyles of the rich and famous.

So...I've got to ask, where's Deep Blue Divers in all this. I see the resort listed as a participant/sponsor however the in town shop is conspicuous by it's absence. They've all but edisappeared as of late. Bookface hasn't been updated since Talon left,website needs attention, bad review on Trip Advisor that needs replying to.

I see Andrea and Rebbecca are both instructors now, Henry is still around however his email doesn't work, in fact the only way I surmise they're still open is the yoga people are using their dock.

Yes Utila..I'm estalking you.
 
Dave,

As a point of clarification, I am not employed by Deep Blue Divers. I work freelance on the island, and do some freelance work for them as needed, however I am not considered staff. FWIW I've spent more time at Coral View, Laguna Beach, and Utopia the past 2 months. In those 2 months I've been at Deep Blue 3 days.

Because of this, I do not feel like I'm in th eposition to answer your questions regarding the shop. Hopefully someone from Deep Blue can step up and answer your concerns.

I do not use trip advisor... would you mind linking the the bad review you mentioned?
 
Hiya Henry :cheers:

I kind of figured something was up.

I'm wondering on whether I should keep recommending them online. Anyone doing any eresearch is going to run across a website that links to a non existent FB page and the FB page that actually does exist hasn't been updated since mid March.

I had a great time with them earlier this year and wouldn't hesitate to keep plugging them but given their lack online motivation I have no way of knowing whether it's the same shop I was at a couple of months ago.

Trip Advisor Review

I was going to do one, but I'd be one guy reviewing one shop and I'd be giving such a glowing review that I would be suspicious of it if I read it.

This marketing Utila as a dive destination is a GREAT idea and about time too only I better not see a Starbucks on the island next year.
 
That's what I'm talking about.

Deep Blue Divers, facebook page is a happinin', website updated as of, looks like yesterday with a big Utila Dive Festival banner on the front page.

Like, or +1 or whatever it is the cool kids are saying these days.
 
Looking forward to being on Utila for the dive festival!
 
The schedule of events has been updated and is a bit more complete since we started this thread. There's a great range of diving activities and also the 'social' events are coming together, with Pup Morse AKA Scuba Cowboy flying in to perform throughout the week, along with local band Barefoot.

As organizers we're having a lot of fun putting this together and can't wait to share this week with anyone on the island at the time.


Saturday 18th
TimeActivity/EventLocationDescription
1800OPENING CEREMONYChepes BeachJoin the fun and festivities of the opening ceremony. Live music, great food, cold drinks. Find out about and sign up for the events for the week


Sunday 19th

TimeActivity/EventLocationDescription
AMPPB WorkshopAll Dive CentersEnhance your buoyancy and trim underwater.
0900-1100
&
1300-1500
Guided snorkelingCoral ViewGuided snorkeling experience on our house reef. Enjoy the comfort of an experienced guide and marine life expert to show you the fruits of our environment
1330Tec Try DivesCoral ViewTry out twinset and sidemount diving
PMTec Try DivesUtila Dive CenterTry out twinset, sidemount and rebreather diving
1300Volleyball CompetitionUnderwater VisionTake part in the legendary Underwater Vision volleyball tournament for your chance to win some great prizes


Monday 20th

TimeActivity/EventLocationDescription
AMDeep DivingAll Dive CentersIf you enjoy deep diving, this is for you. If you don’t have experience in deep diving, then this is your chance under the guidance of an experienced instructor
0900-1100
&
1300-1500
Guided snorkelingCoral ViewGuided snorkeling experience on our house reef. Enjoy the comfort of an experienced guide and marine life expert to show you the fruits of our environment
1330Tec Try DivesCoral ViewTry out twinset and sidemount diving
1400Hyperbaric Chamber TourHyperbaric Chamber & Trauma CenterA tour of our Hyperbaric Chamber Medical Facility includes a one-hour discussion with one of our trained technicians. You’ll learn about general operations of our facility as well as receive a brief introduction to the principles of hyperbaric medicine. We’ll go over some of the signs and symptoms of Decompression Sickness and display some of the tools we use to diagnose, treat and prevent permanent damage. After the tour has concluded there will be time for any questions.
PMTec Try DivesUtila Dive CenterTry out twinset, sidemount and rebreather diving
1800Fish ID PresentationCinemaThis presentation goes hand in hand with the fish ID dive. Presented by one of the islands leading experts on marine life. You will leave this presentation amused and more knowledgeable
2000Casino NightTranquila/ParrotsSee who’s the King of the Casino. Win some more great prizes.


Tuesday 21st

TimeActivity/EventLocationDescription
AMFish ID DiveAll Dive CentersUs the information and knowledge you gained at last nights presentation and apply it to this dive. You will be amazed at how much more you will get out of your dive
0900-1100
&
1300-1500
Guided snorkelingCoral ViewGuided snorkeling experience on our house reef. Enjoy the comfort of an experienced guide and marine life expert to show you the fruits of our environment
1330Tec Try DivesCoral ViewTry out twinset and sidemount diving
PMTec Try DivesUtila Dive CenterTry out twinset, sidemount and rebreather diving
PMPool partyLaguna BeachLaguna Beach Resort is hosting a pool party. Transport is provided to and from the resort and the first drink is free
1800-2200Taste of UtilaTBDThis event has been put together to highlight the vast array of cuisine we have on Utila. You will sample little pieces from the participating restaurants throughout the evening
1900Whale Shark PresentationTBDPresentation regarding this gentle giant. Presented by WSORC


Wednesday 22nd

TimeActivity/EventLocationDescription
0900-1600Intro to Caribbean Reef EcologyCoral ViewA one day program into Caribbean Reef Ecology. Include 2 presentations and 2 dives. Lunch is included. Booking required.
0900-1100
&
1300-1500
Guided snorkelingCoral ViewGuided snorkeling experience on our house reef. Enjoy the comfort of an experienced guide and marine life expert to show you the fruits of our environment
1330Tec Try DivesCoral ViewTry out twinset and sidemount diving
1400Hyperbaric Chamber TourHyperbaric Chamber & Trauma CenterA tour of our Hyperbaric Chamber Medical Facility includes a one-hour discussion with one of our trained technicians. You’ll learn about general operations of our facility as well as receive a brief introduction to the principles of hyperbaric medicine. We’ll go over some of the signs and symptoms of Decompression Sickness and display some of the tools we use to diagnose, treat and prevent permanent damage. After the tour has concluded there will be time for any questions.
PMTec Try DivesUtila Dive CenterTry out twinset, sidemount and rebreather diving
PMVolleyball and BBQ PartyUtopia VillageHead to Utopia for an afternoon of fun playing volleyball and eating BBQ’d food. Transport will be provided
Late PMNight DiveAll Dive CentersNight diving brings out an abundance of new and interesting creatures you do not see during the day
2000Karaoke NightUtila Lodge ‘Bar on the Docks’Bring your friends, sing some songs and enjoy our drink specials. We have a large selection of various current hits as well as nostalgic classics. We have two microphones for duets of your favorite songs! Enjoy a cool breeze and even cooler drinks while you belt out your favorites. If singing isn’t your forte then take advantage of our pool table and eagle rays in the water off the end of the dock while you let your voice rest!



Thursday 23rd to Friday 24th on next post due to character limit.

---------- Post added ----------

For some reason we still can't post due to a character restriction but the complete schedule can be seen on the Utila Dive Festival website here http://utiladivefestival.com/schedule/.

Hope to see you there!
 
Last edited:
Can't wait to be there. My friend Gerardo and I will be staying with Deep Blue Utila that week and look forward to the festivities :)

Barbara
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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