Utila beaches?

[UTLgirl]

No problem, Wow, that is a lot of changes for a 24hr period! Andy's a good guy, you'll have fun. Stop over at the Lodge if you get a free minute, always love to meet fellow SB'ers!
Erin

 

[scubasully]

Erin,
Tell me about it! Huge decision-making weekend. My head has stopped aching and my stomach churning finally. Cheers for decisions made!

I'll definitely stop by the lodge. I'm really curious about the Whale Shark Oceanic Research Center, too. I understand I'm not there during the whale shark season, but I figure that will be a good place to start to find out any marine volunteer opportunities on Utila. I've got 2 months, and the DM is only 4 weeks and the IDC is 11 days, so that leaves me some extra time. When I lived in the Caribbean, I ran a small NGO for marine ecology education, and I'd like to participate in anything Utila's got to offer along those lines. I'd also like to sneak a peak at that hyperbaric chamber if that's allowed. Maybe you guys offer a course or something? I'd love to learn as much as I can this summer.

Namaste!
Maureen

 

[GoProHonduras]

Hi Maureen,

Glad to hear you're looking forward to joining us, that's great news.

There's also the UCME (Volunteer in the Honduran Caribbean with Utila Centre for Marine Ecology conservation, ecology & development projects: dolphins, whale sharks, coral reefs, fisheries, mangroves, seagrass, scuba diving) that you can check out when you're down here, but there aren't any caves I'd recommend diving in. I tried a couple and even for certified cavers, they're a little craggy, more suited to side mount diving.

What is nice is to take a day out from diving, and cycle to the fresh water caves on the island and snorkel in them.

There were Whale sharks sighted each month in 2008, so who knows!

Talk soon,
Andy

 

[GoProHonduras]

Hi Maureen,

Glad to hear you're looking forward to joining us, that's great news.

There's also the UCME (Volunteer in the Honduran Caribbean with Utila Centre for Marine Ecology conservation, ecology & development projects: dolphins, whale sharks, coral reefs, fisheries, mangroves, seagrass, scuba diving) that you can check out when you're down here, but there aren't any caves I'd recommend diving in. I tried a couple and even for certified cavers, they're a little craggy, more suited to side mount diving.

What is nice is to take a day out from diving, and cycle to the fresh water caves on the island and snorkel in them.

There were Whale sharks sighted each month in 2008, so who knows!

Talk soon,
Andy

 

[scubasully]

Good to know the Utila Ecology group is recommended. I filled out their online form yesterday!

Cheers-
M

 

[Cudabait]

Maureen,

You're on the right track. Andy is a great guy and a friend. Of course you will be permitted to see the chamber. Andy can surely arrange it......All the people on the island are close knit and work with one another.

 

[scubasully]

Cuda, that's a good thing...esp since Utila is only 7 mi long or something, right? That's too small for people to not get along. Looking forward to meeting everyone in 37 days and counting.

Marine Maureen

 

[UTLgirl]

Hi Maureen,

Absolutely you can come see the Chamber, Jungle or Billy are usually around & can give you a tour. They also offer a Chamber Orientation Course.

Andy's right, while you won't be here in what is typically thought of as 'high season' for the Whalesharks, we have confirmed sightings 12 months a year, so don't give up hope!

The fresh water cave snorkel is a blast. Absolutely do it at least one day while you're here! Hiking up Pumpkin Hill for some great photo ops before leaving the island is also highly recommended.

Namaste!
Erin

 

[scubasully]

I've never snorkeled in caves or in fresh water, so I will most certainly check that out. I saw picks of Pumpkin Hill on Flickr, and it certainly looks like a hike not to be missed.

Is that what people on Utila do for exercise aside from swimming? Hike the hill every day?