Just a point of clarification:
For years pretty much all the resorts on Utila searched for whalesharks. Utila Lodge, DeepBlue, Laguna Beach, and Utopia. In recent times with fuel costs going up and resort numbers going down this is no longer the case. Utila Lodge hardly even goes northside an longer, let alone search for whalesharks. DeepBlue stills travels northside for diving, depending on how many divers they have, but they don't go hunting like they used to. Utopia is northside everyday thanks to their location, and they do search. Both morning dives are generally northside, as well, allowing more time to search. They also notify resort captains if/when they spot them - though often its only Laguna that is nearby. Laguna also goes northside Monday-Friday, weather permitting, and searches as well. If this was you primary concern, your best option would be Utopia, followed by Laguna Beach. DeepBlue is a distant 3rd, and Utila Lodge wouldn't be an option.
And to correct a few things from Diversteve:
Laguna Beach does do afternoon boat dives, the 3rd dive of the day. Typically these boats leave between 2-2:30 after lunch and a nap. They also do drop-off dives in front of the resort for a 4th dive of the day should you wish. Boat doesn't wait - you finish your dive by swimming to shore. Night dives are conducted on Monday and Thursday and is a 4th dive of the day (you still get your afternoon boat dive - but no drop-off dive). Night dives are available daily as a shore dive as well. Resort dive boats travel to town on Friday afternoon when no divers are diving because they fly the following day. Again, those head off at 2:30pm. We have 4 - Newton boats up to 46', but none have stablilizers on them (although they are the best boats of Utila).
For years pretty much all the resorts on Utila searched for whalesharks. Utila Lodge, DeepBlue, Laguna Beach, and Utopia. In recent times with fuel costs going up and resort numbers going down this is no longer the case. Utila Lodge hardly even goes northside an longer, let alone search for whalesharks. DeepBlue stills travels northside for diving, depending on how many divers they have, but they don't go hunting like they used to. Utopia is northside everyday thanks to their location, and they do search. Both morning dives are generally northside, as well, allowing more time to search. They also notify resort captains if/when they spot them - though often its only Laguna that is nearby. Laguna also goes northside Monday-Friday, weather permitting, and searches as well. If this was you primary concern, your best option would be Utopia, followed by Laguna Beach. DeepBlue is a distant 3rd, and Utila Lodge wouldn't be an option.
And to correct a few things from Diversteve:
Laguna Beach does do afternoon boat dives, the 3rd dive of the day. Typically these boats leave between 2-2:30 after lunch and a nap. They also do drop-off dives in front of the resort for a 4th dive of the day should you wish. Boat doesn't wait - you finish your dive by swimming to shore. Night dives are conducted on Monday and Thursday and is a 4th dive of the day (you still get your afternoon boat dive - but no drop-off dive). Night dives are available daily as a shore dive as well. Resort dive boats travel to town on Friday afternoon when no divers are diving because they fly the following day. Again, those head off at 2:30pm. We have 4 - Newton boats up to 46', but none have stablilizers on them (although they are the best boats of Utila).
