Best time to go to Roatan or Utila?

[DiverDebbie]

We've been thinking about going to Roatan at Christmas (not that we particulary want to travel at the busiest/most expensive time of year, but hubby's company shuts down then, so it sorta makes sense). However, I've been doing my research and see that Dec. is in the middle of what seems to be a rather long rainy season there (Oct. - Feb). We don't mind a little rain, but it looks like it can rain pretty steady there. I also read that there can be high winds, and that's no good for diving. We lost 3 days of diving in Turks & Caicos this Feb. due to winds stopping boats going out, so we don't want to pick a place and have to hope and pray for good weather. Plus bad weather can wreck the viz. So maybe this trip is best left for another time.

So when is a good time to go for the best chance of dry, sunny weather?

We're also considering Utila for whale sharks. When is the best time for that?

 

[Doc]

A quick ... a good thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bay-islands/238515-how-rainy-season.html

We've been thinking about going to Roatan at Christmas

I have done this many times and was usually disappointed in the conditions~ cool and rainy. But the place does go kinda nutty for the holidays- If you haven't been to the Islands for Christmas- I would highly recommend it. That and New Years, make it a two week deal.

However, I've been doing my research and see that Dec. is in the middle of what seems to be a rather long rainy season there (Oct. - Feb).

I'm pushing that out more like Oct~March.

We don't mind a little rain, but it looks like it can rain pretty steady there. I also read that there can be high winds, and that's no good for diving.

Depends on the side of the island you are on. Crummy weather comes from the North. Lots of prior discussion regarding that here on SB in this forum.

So when is a good time to go for the best chance of dry, sunny weather?

April -> September and you're likely to be pretty happy.

We're also considering Utila for whale sharks. When is the best time for that?

Utila, Whale Sharks? Ummm, last week! Others more knowledgeable will chime in on that one!

 

[DeepBlueResort]

Hi

Well it is difficult to perfectly predict the whale sharks, we are actually seeing them at the moment, we have seen them every month for the last seventeen months.

The main time when they seem to be most abundant is March and April we do also see groups at the end of September ish and end of December ish

So little is known about them and they are so hard to predict, the honest answer is you have a good chance of seeing them anytime in Utila but the above times will give you more chance

 

[DiverDebbie]

Thanks to both of you for your responses. I wish we could just pack up and go right now!