Laguna Beach Resort or Utopia Dive Village

[Scubagal]

We're planning our first trip to Utila and are considering Laguna Beach Resort and Utopia Dive Village. Has anyone stayed at both? Or if you stayed at one of them, what did you like about the resort and dive op? Thanks in advance!

 

[itsjustme0770]

Candidly I would tell you that they are two pretty different places. I am a fan of both. Our place is just about 1/2 a mile down the beach from Utopia and about 1.5 miles from Laguna Beach. Laguna Beach is one of Utila's original dive resorts. They are located out of town, and just across the cut. So, there is no walking to town. They will, howver happily arrange for you to be ferried across the cut an then its a bit of a walk to town. Utopia is boat access only for sure and there is no easy way into town. If town or hanging out outside the resort matters, Laguna Beach might win that score. Utopia is very very remote. For some that's a good thing, for others not so much. We love being very remote. Its just your call. Laguna Beach is certainly not in the middle of town either, so either may work for you. Utopia is really more of a luxury resort with diving whereas Laguna Beach is more of a dive resort. I say this because Laguna Beach's dive operation is very very easy to negotiate. They are on the lagoon and their boats pull right up to the resort. They also have beautiful Newton Dive Boats, some of the best on the island. Unless the waters are extremely calm, Utopia's boat cannot get into the dock at their resort. So, to negotiate this, they run their "Jungle Bus" to the lagoon to board your boat. They handle all your gear for you so its not that big of a deal, but its a little bit more work. They have a lovely spa onsite and Chef Hughe's food is really good. I've enjoyed the food at Laguna Beach as well. Laguna Beach did just put in a new "Whale Shark" shaped pool, so you can stay in the water longer if you like. Both have excellent shore dives.

Not sure if I've helped with your decision, but those are my thoughts.

Cheers.

 

[Scubagal]

Thanks so much! This is exactly what I needed. Laguna Beach resort sounds like the place for us. Thanks again!

 

[bluedog67]

I just returned from Utopia, and it was great. the rooms are lovely and so comfortable, the food was fantastic, and the staff is wonderful. They are remote, but there isn't much to do in town but drink, and they have a great beach front bar on site. They arranged a water taxi for an afternoon in town, and we came back an hour early, as we were ready to get back to the relaxing atmosphere of the resort. They don't "eat sleep dive" they "dive, eat, relax", so if you are looking for max # of dives in a week, they aren't the right place. They do dock a few piers down (not on the lagoon) on windy days, but it really isn't much trouble, as they handle all your gear, and the captain really knows his way around the dive sites.

i did hear from one of the divemasters that used to work at laguna beach that the lagoon can get smelly from the stagnant water and the bugs are worse if no wind. Can't say if that is true....wasn't there.