Blackbeard's or Utila in Jan?

[battles2a5]

So I've decided to take a dive vacation the last week of January (20-27) and I had planned to go to Utila. The original plan was to go there, dive my brains out and get my Rescue Diver cert. But I have been looking into Blackbeard's and it seems to be a pretty attractive offer. So I am looking for suggestions from anyone who has done both who can clue me in on the following:

1. Weather- too cold in Jan for Bahamas? Water temps in each location?
2. Seal life- It sounds like the Bahamas has tons to see and I have heard that Utila can be lacking in the sea life arena.
3. Fun factor- 7 days on a boat vs. bay islands

Thanks in advance!
Ryan

 

[Carribeandiver]

I am gonna be in Roatan Jan 20-27; love Blackbeard's but the water is warmer in Roatan or Utila in Jan. Made my decision easier.
The liveaboard experience of Blackbeard is something you will never forget. If you want great diving- Blackbeard; if you want comfort when not diving - almost anywhere else.
The Blackbeard boats have cabins that measure approximately 6x6 feet and they are supposed to sleep as many as 4. But unless you are traveling with someone you sleep with, your cabin will likely only hold 2, one upper and one lower.
As for fun factor, let's face it, you will be diving in great viz water, either way is a winner.

 

[battles2a5]

Ya, you are probably right. Really can't go wrong either way. What made you choose Roatan over Utila? Just curious, may end up doing the same.

 

[Carribeandiver]

hey, I am new at this, everytime I hear of a dive location/site, it is new to me. Roatan I heard of, Utila is still something I know little about. I would think both have great dive sites. Another one of those cant go wrong either way.

 

[deepstop]

Utila in late january will make for a great time...just remember your umbrella as this is the end of the rainy season and intermittent showers are possible..
I spent 2.5 weeks there the end of jan and first part of feb last year then 4 weeks in roatan and had a great time...
The diving in utila is great ,enough fish, coral, and sponges to keep most happy..
I lucky enought to get the chance to freedive with whalesharks on 5 occasions (wow)
also had pilot whales and lots of dolphins...
There is however not much to do topside so take a good book.

 

[ZenDiva]

Water temps in Utila are 82, it's been close to or 90 the past several days and sunny, breezes picking up later in the day....weather has been wonderful!

and as deepstop said, there's an abundance of fish, coral and dive sites that you can spend your time on utila and go to a different dive site with different topography every dive.

 

[battles2a5]

awesome, thanks for all the replys. I have been looking at flights and I can take the American flight from through Houston to San Pedro Sula that gets in at 2:30pm. Is this too late to catch a flight to Utila? I have been checking the flights and the latest one I saw was at 2:00? If I can't get a flight, shoud I stay in SAP or bus it to La Ceiba? Any input here would be helpful. Thanks again!

 

[Carribeandiver]

Battles2a,,,,the Continental flies from Houston to San Pedro Sula; Delta flies through Atlanta and AMERICAN flies through Miami to San Pedro Sula. I checked (earlier today) flight costs RT from New Orleans to San Pedro Sula and it runs around $550 USD.

 

[ZenDiva]

awesome, thanks for all the replys. I have been looking at flights and I can take the American flight from through Houston to San Pedro Sula that gets in at 2:30pm. Is this too late to catch a flight to Utila? I have been checking the flights and the latest one I saw was at 2:00? If I can't get a flight, shoud I stay in SAP or bus it to La Ceiba? Any input here would be helpful. Thanks again!

I normally take the continental flight through houston to san pedro sula, get in about 12 and then take either sosa or atlantic flight which takes off from san pedro sula around 2/2:30 pm ( there is a later one as well I believe) then either continue on from utila via sosa or atlantic, or get a private flight w/ selene (more money but def worth the convenience) normally into utila by 4pm

the problem coming back is that the continental flight leaves san pedro at 1pm, and atlantic at 3pm, you have to take the atlantic flight from utila which is at 7:30 pm which usually stops on cieba (sometimes you change planes, sometimes not) then on to san pedro and sit around the airport there waiting for your international flight to take off.

there is also the ferry from cieba which is at 4pm so if you don't get the flight from ceiba to utila you always have the option of taking the 4pm ferry.

enjoy

 

[ZenDiva]

almost forgot, the flights to utila sosa runs on mon/wed/fri (they say they are going to run every day starting next week 15th jan/ but who knows they've been saying this since dec) and atlantic runs mon/wed/fri/sat

if you travel on tues/thurs then you'll def be taking the ferry over to utila from cieba