Shore diving Little Caye Utila?

[Robertcrockett]

Hello all, new to the boards and a new diver. I will be visiting Utila for a month in Aug 09 I heard its not the optimal time but Im doing some medical mission work in Ocatillo first so I would be in Honduras anyway.For a week I will be staying on Little Caye (the private island) for about 8 days of this trip. I was just wondering if anyone had done any diving around Little Caye and what it was like..Critters,etc..The majority of dives will be boat dives with Captain Morgan's (the one on jewel caye)and I also plan on splitting the rest of my lodgings between there and Ruby's in main Utila
(any suggestions, warnings about lodging, dive sites, things to do, things not to do would be much appreciated)

 

[kathydee]

Hello all, new to the boards and a new diver. I will be visiting Utila for a month in Aug 09 I heard its not the optimal time but Im doing some medical mission work in Ocatillo first so I would be in Honduras anyway.For a week I will be staying on Little Caye (the private island) for about 8 days of this trip. I was just wondering if anyone had done any diving around Little Caye and what it was like..Critters,etc..The majority of dives will be boat dives with Captain Morgan's (the one on jewel caye)and I also plan on splitting the rest of my lodgings between there and Ruby's in main Utila
(any suggestions, warnings about lodging, dive sites, things to do, things not to do would be much appreciated)

Hi there,

I was just down in utilia. Ruby's is the best value guest house I could find - I highly recommend it if basic, clean, friendly and peaceful with ocean view & kitchen access is ok.

I also stayed on Jewel caye with Captain Morgans - the night dives are fun! Croaking toad fish and octopus! Their gear is old but the boats usually go to the north side which is the best diving. The island is very small and mostly houses, so be prepared to relax!

When you stay at rubys best dive shops I found nearby were UDC (try to get on the resort boat) & I heard good things about Utilia Water Sports (but I didn't use them). The trick is to get around to the north side. You can certainly dive cheaper but I would recommend against Underwater Vision!

Unfortunately if weather is bad - it is difficult to get to the north side because of waves.

It's also nice to take a hike to pumpkin hill and back around the abandon coast next to the old airport

The rest is easy! Have a lot of fun!

 

[ayeshacantrell]

The diving is lovely and I was there in August. The only things you miss at that time of year are the whalesharks. We did infact dive around little caye - i think - if it is the dives that I remember then it was quite shallow - max 10m and I remember being stalked by a barracuda too. Your boat dives will probably be the best though. I would highly recomend a night dive though - they have something in the water called strings of pearls .....Turn your torch off and wait - you'll be rewarded with a galaxy of little stars that move as you fin along - one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen. My students were always amazed and mostly refused to turn their torches back on ! During the day look out for a juvenile spotted drum ......they are wicked little fish - Im sure your dive leader should be able to help you locate one !

 

[rob@diveinutila.com]

don't go for the cheapest and don't go for the biggest! There are only a few dive centers that actually do what they say and head north side every day. Even fewer that do that and have resort level boats at good prices. Don't be sucked in by bargain dive packages - you'll stay south side of the island. August last year was actually very good for whale sharks with a good number of them around during the first 2 weeks and then disappeared again. Diving around little cay is shallow but pretty. I recommend all the north side sites and the east end sites as well as the sea mounds off the east end of the island. Take a dive trip to Cayos Cochinos and dive the Roatan banks - imo bar far the best dive in all the bay islands. There is only one dive center that does these trips.

hth

 

[Robertcrockett]

U guys are great..and the news is excellant so far...Glad to see that I can snorkel abit or dive around little caye to check it out (sounds great for pictures)...Good to hear bout Ruby's..as basic and friendly is all im looking for..its all about the dives, not the digs..(um at least till my wife gets there and we go to little caye ..LOL)...Captain Morgan's sound good so far to..their gear isnt a problem as ill take my gear

...does taking your own gear ever give u a discount off dive rates?

 

[kathydee]

Captain Morgan's sound good so far to..their gear isnt a problem as ill take my gear

...does taking your own gear ever give u a discount off dive rates?

You can try to ask for a discount, some stores will discount some will not . Best discounts come from packages of 10 dives - also, if you'll be diving for a while inquire about buying a month long marine park pass - which can deffinately save some money

So can cooking at home ;-)!

If you stay out at jewel kay you can use their kayak and snorkel around the little islands ;-). Hard to cook there and you might get sick of fish burgers pretty soon - there is an internet on the small island but no ATM. Utilia has a few internets. Captain Morgans should let you stay in a very basic room for $5 a night if it isn't busy!


Fair warning --Utilia has much more to do & the UDC scene is very social and fun - if youre alone and like fun-I wouldnt miss it ;-)!!!!!

 

[Robertcrockett]

Kathydeee, could you elaborate on the "marine park pass" I havent been able to find any info on it.

Thanks

 

[localdivah]

Kathy, why do you advise against Underwater Vision? From what I've heard, they seem to have been around quite awhile, be a more independent/smaller operation, have competitive prices, have their own dock and accommodations nearby (the main reason I'm wavering about going with Mango Inn/UDC), and go to the sea mounts and north shore.

Anyone have any characterizations? The only other thing I've picked up around here is a comment about the many young women that they have on their boats -- it kills me, but I could probably put up with it

Does UDC go do dives on the north side? I am considering between them and Underwater Vision, and am worried that with the all inclusive package through Mango/UDC, I'll be getting into cattleboats and short, rushed dives. Any preference between the two for whale shark sightings (yes, I know that Deep Blue gets rave reviews for its boat capt, but I couldn't swing the package price there).

Is Alton's the only one that does Cayos Cochinos?

Thanks all,
Louie
Camp Basrah, Iraq

 

[localdivah]

Got a lot of good info from Rob -- thanks!