Brand new diver heading to Utila

[theism]

Hi,

I am heading to Honduras in a week, and have left all my planning to the last minute. My roommate dives all the time, and recommended that I get certified in the Bay Islands.
I am an independent, backpacker style traveler looking for a good, safe place to get certified. If you have any tips at all, especially concerning the topics below, don't hesitate to respond!

- Airlines/flights from Tegucigalpa to La Ceiba or Utila
- Dive shops in Utila to get PADI open-water certified
- Good places to stay in Utila
- Other fun activities in Honduras that you would recommend.

THANKS!!

theism

 

[oldtimediver]

What are your travel dates? You may want to visit Guanaja in lieu of Utila. You may fly from La Ceiba to Guanaja via Islena Airlines. They fly twice daily Mon-Sat, AM and PM. Contact Denis Midence (PADI instructor) at denisjrm03@yahoo.com.mx or call his cell 011-504-9918-8855. He runs two resorts, trains novice and advanced divers, and has a very nice setup. Great diving and several options of places to stay. Guanaja is mountainous while Utila is flat so better backpacking, hiking on Guanaja. Also have a backpacking guide available there.

 

[rob@diveinutila.com]

First of all as a backpacker into independent travel, etc and looking for safety, fun, and to get your diving certification then go to Utila. It has a great backpacker vibe and much much cheaper than the other bay islands.

When it comes to accommodation the majority of dive centers here offer accommodation with their dive courses for free. With cheap prices for accommodation after the free nights.

The easiest way to find the dive centers that you like the look of is to do a search on Google for something like "learn to dive Utila" and email the ones you like the look of. The more attentive dive centers should email you almost right back! On Utila you get what you pay for, especially in terms of equipment, boat quality, location, etc so this is something I would also bear in mind.

Only a few dive centers here have resort level boats at good prices. Don't be sucked in by bargain dive packages, paying just a little more will get you better boats, better equipment, better location, etc, etc.

if you need some travel advice you can email me directly.

hth