Utila Dive Shops Advice

[DrMattWill]

I'm an experienced advanced diver, with my own equipment, looking to enjoy some fun dives. Prefer to dive with other advanced divers. Northside, wrecks, caves, big creatures. Help me decide.

Alton's
Utila Dive Center
Utila Water Sports

 

[David veitth]

From what I understand Tanks’s is the best. Was their last Feb dove with someone else. Had a couple just learning Ug.

 

[GringoinGuat]

I did my open water and advanced with UFC back in March. They were a top notch operation and can't wait to dive with them again. With that said they seem to cater to the backpacker crowd. What I heard from other, more experienced divers on the island was that Tank's is more likely to get you on the northside of the island

 

[laurenceh]

It depends on where you're staying. If you're in town you'll always have to dive with inexperienced people because most of the people staying there have come to get certified. We stay at Treasure Beach on the south shore (great snorkeling right in front of the house we rent), "We-Dive Utila" from the Cays takes care of us. Super personalized service, usually only 2-3 other people on the boat. We just got back from a 5 week trip and most of the dives we did were on unmarked seamounts that the big dive centers in town never go to and we had unlimited bottom time. And, Anke the divemaster baked cakes and pastries for the boat everyday !!!!

 

[alisondjones]

It depends on where you're staying. If you're in town you'll always have to dive with inexperienced people because most of the people staying there have come to get certified. We stay at Treasure Beach on the south shore (great snorkeling right in front of the house we rent), "We-Dive Utila" from the Cays takes care of us. Super personalized service, usually only 2-3 other people on the boat. We just got back from a 5 week trip and most of the dives we did were on unmarked seamounts that the big dive centers in town never go to and we had unlimited bottom time. And, Anke the divemaster baked cakes and pastries for the boat everyday !!!!

Laurence - I'm booked in 2 weeks at Coral Beach Village. From direct communication with several dive shops, most seem to depart/return ONLY to their own docks (in town, etc.). Tank'd is the only one that will commit to picking me up at the Neptune's dock. Did any of the dive shops pick you up from Treasure Beach?

 

[alisondjones]

Hi @alisondjones - did you check specifically with We-Dive Utila? Because of their location on the Cays they specialize in servicing the south shore

Yes, I did check with We Dive Utila, thinking that would be the case. But they said no dock pick-ups; they depart from/return to their own dock only. This is my first time to Utila, and I had absolutely no idea that most dive ops expect you to stay at their accommodations, so I booked my lodgings first (and paid half up-front). Oopsies.

 

[laurenceh]

Laurence - I'm booked in 2 weeks at Coral Beach Village. From direct communication with several dive shops, most seem to depart/return ONLY to their own docks (in town, etc.). Tank'd is the only one that will commit to picking me up at the Neptune's dock. Did any of the dive shops pick you up from Treasure Beach?

We-Dive Utila picked us up from Treasure Beach but I'm not sure if they'd pick up from Coral Beach. They are based on the Cays which are opposite Treasure Beach, Coral Beach is much closer to Utila Town.
T'anked has a good reputation.

 

[laurenceh]

We-Dive Utila will pick up guests staying on the Cays and staying at Treasure Beach but I don't think they like to head towards Utila Town to do pick ups. They are the closest dive op to the Northside, heading back towards Utila Town to do pick ups means that they'd be adding an extra 1-2 miles/15-30 mins journey to and from the Northside. I guess with the divers staying at Treasure Beach and the Cays it's enough to keep their boat full without adding an extra hour or two to their day and all the extra $$$$ gas money