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An interesting hidden difference in the islands.
Utila's entire geographical range of diving is shown to most divers over a week long visit. If the dive-op is presenting the best possible product, depending upon wind and weather, you should get a taste for all of the different localized zones that surround this small, roundish island.
Roatan is an entirely different experience. It is a very long, thin island (17x5 miles). The diving provided by any given dive-op is very localized to avoid long boat trips. Maybe 97% of all Roatan dives are logged out of West Bay, West End and AKR. A lot of these are cruise ship divers, but this general area also leads the list in the number of week-long visitors.
This high concentration of divers/visitors also leads to comments about Roatan's crowds, development and noise. Since the bulk of visitors are just where they are- this is what they know. Other spots on Roatan allow for an entirely different picture, but again- are simply unknown to all but 3%.
The point being, in terms of Roatan diving, any number of Expert Opinions are formed after 1 week (or 10 weeks) of diving the same geographic zone... usually West/NorthWest. Their only exposure to the very unique South side is one trip to the deep and dark Mary's Place.
In short, the majority of divers who have visited Roatan have only a very limited view of what diving is available. Utila visitors can get a pretty good picture within one full week of intensive diving.
Both Utila and Roatan have their attractions, the majority of Utila posts I find very much-so accurate and on point, with a wide perspective and quickly acquired knowledge base. Roatan posts? Not so much. Very, very few visitors have the slightest clue about what I call the 5 distinct zones of Roatan diving- because they are so widely separated geographically.
Utila Town is dusty and concrete and is not much of a personal threat level. Coxen Hole on Roatan is much more tropic island shanty-esque, but has very little to recommend for the tourist and I wouldn't wander after dark. But then again, for any well based commentator, this is irrelevant because no weekly visitor would need anything there after hours.
On Utila, the bars are plentiful, convenient and "rustic". They are thus cheaper than their upscale (comparatively) counterparts on West End Roatan. On Roatan, the consumption of alcohol is part of the "island vibe/culture", on Utila, drinking is a way of life. West End divers statistically knock out 5 dives in a week, Utila is much higher at 9. (These are statistics garnered anecdotally with various dive ops managers over beers, and they do represent an overall averaged number... there's any number of spouses who do only 1 or 2 in a week, just sayin'). Utila is dive a lot, then drink a lot. Not much alternative entertainment.
Utila is still a great way to be in paradise and do a little diving very cheaply. Yes, the lodging is a titch cheaper, but apples to apples, the food is the same cost. Where a lot of the distinction comes from is again, just perception confusion- If you want X Dives per Day, it's still going to cost the same amount on either rock. The very recommendable point of Utila is the distinct pricing advantage for getting through the Professional ranks to Instructorship. It's a bit cheaper on Utila, sometimes you get housing connected with the IDC.
Do them both, but I would recommend doing Utila now before it reaches the tipping point as much of Roatan has already done. And when you do go to Roatan- remember that spending a week here or there does not a full picture make.
Great report, BTW. We should hope for more of this on SB. It's shameful how many folks come here, pump us for travel insight, then are never heard from again.
