Snorkeling in Utila

[jrankney1]

Arriving in Utila at the end of June to do a Master Scuba certification, and am wondering about snorkeling options for my non-diving wife. She is looking for shore based snorkeling around Alton's (where we're diving) or within walking distance if possible..
Any information about this thanks in advance!
J.R.

 

[PhotoBret]

Snorkeling around the dock will reveal some interesting critters, especially macro life on the pylons and such. Any detritus whether man made or natural will attract animals from octos to shrimp and crabs even sea horses. If she fancies it, try hiring a kayak and going out to lighthouse reef - very shallow and full of life and it also drops off nicely with a lot more to see on the ocean side.

 

[laurenceh]

yes, she'll need to get out of town for picturesque snorkeling. the south shore (heading towards the cays) is the best shore snorkeling on the island.

 

[rob@diveinutila.com]

PhotoBret is right you can see a lot around the docks right here - in the last week notable snorkel sightings under and around the dock have been an eagle ray, sea horse, bat fish, green moray (he hangs out here).

Close by is the reef we call the airport reef... It has an entry point about 10 minutes walk from here. In calm weather it has some of the best snorkeling around the island due to the reef tabletop being very shallow there (around 5 to 15 feet) and the drop off having lots of interesting features to look at and a good corals and plenty of marine life. In rougher weather we recommend heading to an area inside the bay called Blue Bayou. Easier access to the water than the airport reef but not (imo -but others disagree with me) so good snorkeling. Reef is shallow again, and you can see plenty - not uncommon to sight hawksbill turtle along this stretch of reef. A bit of a walk or a $1.5 cab ride.

In general snorkeling from the boats is good with the vast majority of Utila's dive sites great for snorkelers as well as divers

 

[flyindiver75]

J.R., did my Divemaster in December with Alton, great operation. There is plenty to see off of the dock there and ample opportunity for snorkeling on the boats with many of the sites being rather shallow. The water is clear with lots of life. You shouldn't have to venture to far for snorkelng opportunities. When you get there Rob, the other instructors, or the Divemasters will most certainly help you out.

Eric