Sola Gringa in Utila

[webgypsy]

I'll be heading down to Utila in February for a solo week at the Mango Inn. Looking forward to exploring the land as well as the dive sites, so I'm open to any & all tips about this island. Have talked with a few friends who loved it, and read some answers to posts below.

Are there specific dive sites you recommend not-to-miss? I really want to see seahorses, have yet to see any, & I love the tiny beautiful creatures as well as the big ones. And speaking of big ones: Can whale sharks be seen on day dives, or is a sighting more likely on night dives?

Have only had one wreck experience so far, the Rhone in the BVI's; are there wreck dives around Utila?

Thanks for your help!

PS Though I am an experienced traveler, I'm still a relatively new diver only 4 years into it, and only get to dive on about 1-2 trips a year, so this one will be a big adventure for me

 

[DeepBlueResort]

Hi

I will try to answer your questions.

Whale Sharks, it would be extremely rare to see them on a dive they do not come in that close,they are usually seen in deep water and the captains know the best time and will look for them.

Seahorses, yes we have quite a few here, ask the person that is leading the dives, normally the instructors or divemasters know where they are.

Wrecks, we have one main wreck called the Haliburton it is at 100ft just outside the harbor, it is a fun dive.

Small creatures, again ask the instructors or divemaster he should be able to show you lots of cool stuff, one nickname for the island is macro capitol of the Caribbean, look for nudibranches they are fantastic here.

Dive sites not to miss, there are so many my favorites, Black Hills, Duppy Waters, CJ's Drop off, Blackish Point, Pretty Bush, Labyrinth, Teds Point.....really there are so many we have over 80 buoyed sites around the island so you will be able to go to somewhere different every day.

Have a great time on Utila.

 

[webgypsy]

Appreciate the great info, sounds like I'll have no trouble keeping myself occupied on this little island. Should I take a snorkel excursion to try to see the whale sharks then? Also, I saw on your web site that the south side of the island has shallower fringing reefs, is that a good snorkeling area?

 

[DeepBlueResort]

Hi Again

Most of Utila is great for snorkeling, the top of the reef in a lot of places is at just 15ft, don't worry about taking a special Whale Shark tour, what normally happens is that in between dives the captains will look for them, so you can go diving at all the great sites and hopefully get to see the Whale Sharks as well.

If you do manage to see them and take photo's please log them as an encounter in either www.UtilaWhaleSharkresearch.com or www.Ecocean.org this will be a great help to everyone.

I will keep my fingers crossed that you get an encounter with them, they are awesome.

Yes the south side is shallow fringing reefs and are great for snorkeling.

Any other questions please feel free to ask.

 

[webgypsy]

Between answering my questions & reading a lot of your other postings, I think you've about covered it till I get there Steve - thanks again for all the great info, I'll have to book a trip out with you guys at Deep Blue!
Wendy

 

[DeepBlueResort]

Hi

We would love to see you

 

[drbill]

Wrecks, we have one main wreck called the Haliburton it is at 100ft just outside the harbor, it is a fun dive.

Hmmm... is this the same ship that US V.P. Dick Cheney used to captain?

 

[DeepBlueResort]

Hi drbill

Sorry I am an Englishman here but from my knowledge of USA goings on ( which are very limited) if you are referring to Dick Cheney and the oil company ...yup that's the company

 

[susan6868]

Refreshing to see the name Haliburton used in a positive light! (Ha ha)

 

[domino22]

I "ditto" deep blue over the cattle boat op a little south.