Utila Ferry and diving questions

[thebes11]

First and foremost, the diving. Many people I know have dove all around the world and do at least 100 dives a year. Of them, I'd estimate about 75% said they would not go back to Utila because there was so very little fish life. The said the whale sharks are quite the treat, but during the every day dives, the biggest comment was to this effect, "the corals are beautiful, and the reefs almost pristine, but for photography, it was mostly macro." Several mentioned the locals having to over fish the water due to the poverty and needing food.

In searching this forum, I've found very little mentioned about fish life, so can anyone provide some info? I think I'd really enjoy the vibe of the island based on my research, but this is for my yearly diving trip, so this issue is paramount in it's importance.

Second, if Utila does wind up being the location, I've heard slight mention of a ferry and ferry pier, but everyone seems to be looking at flights from the mainland or Roatan to get t Utila. What's the deal with the ferry?

Thanks in advance and I hope I'm not re-asking worn out questions due to poor search function skills.

 

[Doc]

Of them, I'd estimate about 75% said they would not go back to Utila because there was so very little fish life. The said the whale sharks are quite the treat, but during the every day dives, the biggest comment was to this effect, "the corals are beautiful, and the reefs almost pristine, but for photography, it was mostly macro." .

I would say that the perception of what you thought you heard was accurate. That is probably exactly what they said.

I would also venture that 75% of visitors lack the buoyancy and observational skills that will allow them to savor the thing that they just blew off: it was mostly macro. If you go with the singular desire to find Whale Sharks, you are likely to quickly discount the fabulous little critters: Sea Horses, Pipefish, and more.

Go before it is ruined by development. Make up your own mind. If you see a Whale Shark, aint that great? But until that time arises, take a magnifying glass and look for the little critters that a good DM will point out. When the Whale Shark shows up, your attentions will be diverted and directed accordingly by the DM's.

Lots to see, for the advanced diver.

 

[hopefulist]

I'll be forever grateful to Roatanman for the magnifier tip - I LOVE my magnifier and the incentive to work on my buoyancy skills has paid huge dividends.

The ferry takes a couple of hours and how rough it is varies; they give dramamine free with your ticket purchase if you ask and I needed it. The boat is smaller than the Roatan version but fairly comfortable (and much cheaper). The combined taxi or shuttle, bus, taxi, ferry from SAP to Utila makes the flight more attractive, but if you're already going to be in La Ceiba the boat is a good option. Happy trails!

 

[booth22]

I would say that the perception of what you thought you heard was accurate. That is probably exactly what they said.

I would also venture that 75% of visitors lack the buoyancy and observational skills that will allow them to savor the thing that they just blew off: it was mostly macro. If you go with the singular desire to find Whale Sharks, you are likely to quickly discount the fabulous little critters: Sea Horses, Pipefish, and more.

Go before it is ruined by development. Make up your own mind. If you see a Whale Shark, aint that great? But until that time arises, take a magnifying glass and look for the little critters that a good DM will point out. When the Whale Shark shows up, your attentions will be diverted and directed accordingly by the DM's.

Lots to see, for the advanced diver.

What he said. We've been several times and as a photographer (and I use that term loosely) I love the diving on Utila. I guess not everyone enjoys seahorses, batfish, etc. Schools of blue chromis are niceand all, but I prefer the more unique life personally. YMMV

 

[itsjustme0770]

I'll chime in here too. I agree with everything that has been said. But, to add to it, there is a fair amount of pelagic life and other larger sea creatures if you know where/when to look. You can always count on Black Hills for larger fish. Diving on the eastern side of the island, while generally rougher seas, almost always (for me anyway) seems to yield rays. The north side "shallows" (before you go over the wall) almost always seems to yield turtles, as does the diving outside the Cayes. I also routinely see rays and turtles at Pretty Bush. So, while there are no guarantees, some bigger stuff is there. You can see some of the larger fish I've seen there on my webpage below. All of that said, should a better conservation plan be put in place? Yes. Are there things worth seeing in Utila? Absolutely-Topside and underneath. Cheers!

 

[sbaggs]

I agree with all of the above. We went last March/April and were not disappointed. Looking for the little stuff has now become my husband's obsession. I'm not as good at noticing the little critters, but I wasn't disappointed in the fish we saw. Seeing the whale sharks was an awesome experience. We even got a bonus...while everyone was watching the whale shark disappear below us I happened to look at eye level and saw a marlin 10 feet away from us. Not many people can say they saw a marlin while snorkeling. Very cool.
As for the ferry...there was one couple that took the ferry over while they rest of us flew. When they arrived, they were freezing, soaking wet, and miserable. Apparently it was one of the "rough" days. They found a way to fly back rather than try the ferry a second time.

 

[Guy Carrier]

If you're going in and out on Saturdays why not reroute through Roatan? Last I checked there are regularly scheduled commercial flights into Utila from Roatan on Saturday afternoons and out of Utila to Roatan on Saturday mornings. These flights are set up to match up with the weekly American and Continental flights in and out of Roatan on Saturdays.

We've gone both ways and the Roatan route is easier. There are also scheduled flights from SAP to Utila via La Cieba but not every day.

Good luck,

Guy

 

[thebes11]

Thanks for all the great info! Utila is "in the finals" for our spring trip.

 

[ward]

Hi Thebes11,
I went to both Utila and Roatan in September, and put some pictures (most underwater) of my adventures online.
Pictures of my September 2007 visit to Utila and Roatan, Honduras.
If you want any further info, just let me know.
Cheers,
Ward

 

[oceancat]

I loved Utila diving when I was there! We saw large schools of all sorts of fish by the sea mount. We also saw a hammer head shark on a dive! It's the only hammerhead I have ever seen. Are there are many fish as Bonaire? No. Are there fish? Yes. I thought the diving was interesting in and of itself. I really liked Utila more than Roatan, but that is just a personal thing. We did take the ferry from Utila to La Ceiba and then from La Ceiba to Roatan thought it was nicer than the ferries that run here in boston! We didn't have too rough of seas, however. We also flew from San Pedro Sula to La Ceiba to Utila (sounds like there may be direct flight now)--we were there 4 years ago.