Info Booking dives before or after arriving Utila

[Morning-sea-star]

Update: So I am going to Utila in the spring (thanks for those of you that gave me advice on the area!) and I decided on Underwater Vision (UV), mostly due to price and location/amenities/reviews. But I talked to several dive shops on What’s app and some of the other ones wanted to take a deposit to book. When I went to book with UV, they did not take a deposit or book any dives ahead of time. Maybe I’m just too type A, but that makes me a little worried that the boats might be full or crowded when we get there? Is that just not how it is at this destination? I’m just use to the FL Keys where you book ahead of time or you will not get a spot on the boat most times of the year.

Update: I WhatsApp contacted them to ask about this and they said they put asside spots for us when they put our name down. So that’s how it works for anyone like me that likes to have things kind of “on paper”— like one other person said, it seems to be that folks staying get first dibs on the boat. So excited!

 

[therookie]

I can't speak for this specific operator but I can say this is at least not unheard of in the Bay Islands. The dive shop I have used for the past three years on Roatan doesn't take a deposit either - they've always just registered us "to make sure we have room for you on the boat". They take walk-ins too but "pre-registered" divers get priority, whether or not you are staying at the attached resort. They also don't "book dives" ahead of time, especially in rainy season, because things can change weather-wise and people can get sick and can't make a dive one day, etc, etc.

If you've never been to the Bay Islands before, it's incredibly laid back. You may find your self-confessed "Type A personality" needing to adjust a little to get in sync with the usual "BI" modus operandi...

I would suggest talking to them directly and frankly about your concerns - WhatsApp is absolutely a preferred means of communication down here. Let them know exactly what you said here - that you're used to the way many shops operate in the Keys.

 

[Morning-sea-star]

Thank you! I know, me on “island time” is an oxymoron but I’ll try to adjust