Utila Resorts and Diving

[RainTurtle]

I'm putting a trip together for a group of divers interested in going to Utila. Can anyone answer a few questions...

- Is Nitrox available at most dive resorts in Utila?
- I noticed it list shore diving on both Deep Blue Resort and Laguna Beach websites. Is there actually convenient shore diving from these resorts or is it "close" by? And is the shore diving worth staying at one of these resorts?
- Most of our group are experienced divers, can anyone give me reports on the dive profiles from Laguana Beach, Deep Blue Resort and Utila Dive Lodge?

I'll say from the information I've been given that I'm favoring Deep Blue however for the price difference, I want to be able to assure the group that the price is worth what we are receiving. For me, with a one year old daughter this will probably be my one big trip for the year so I'm opting to pay a little more if I get a wonderful dive vacation.

Thanks,
Suzanne

 

[diverdenise]

I am planning a trip to Utila with Zendiving.com in April, through Deep Blue www.DeepBlueUtila.com Steve seems a real personable person, I would email him from his website and get some good answers.

 

[DeepBlueResort]

Hi Rain Turtle

If you would like to know more Email me, we have shore diving at 3 sites and the ocean is about 50ft from your rooms so yes it is very close, and Nitrox yes we have that, as for dive profiles, we respect that people are experienced divers and they do not have to stay with the divemaster, as long as people have a buddy and stay within recreational limits they can dive on their own.

 

[drdiver1952]

I dove with Deep Blue in Utila last year with R.E.E.F. It is a most excellent resort and dive operation. They do have nitrox and the shore diving off the front of the resort and the reefs there are very good dives. The rooms are clean and nicely appointed. The location of the resort (on a spit of land set off from the rest of the island) seems to reduce the sandfly population as I had very few encounters during my stay. The boat used is spacious if not fast and crowding is not an issue. Food is also very good and plentiful. I liked it enough I'm going back in April.

 

[zendiver1]

Suzanne, we are going to Utila and staying with Deep Blue for not only one week, but 2 weeks in April. From the 15th-29th. I don't know too much about the other resorts you listed other than the research I had done before making my decision to go with DBR. I would be willing to bet that ANY and ALL your questions you would have for Steve have already been asked and answered by either me or/and our members that are going on the trip. If you grab yourself a cup of coffee and don't mind reading, here are a couple of threads you may want to read. When you are done reading (probably WAY before you are done), you will be saying, "Is it June yet?"

Trip Information

Trip Discussion

If you have any further questions, Steve is ALWAYS here and will answer any/all of your questions promptly.

 

[mjh]

Here is a trip report for CCV and Utila Dive Lodge, scroll down 1/2 way for Utila. We are going back next year and looking forward to staying at Utila Dive Lodge again. Will have to say no real shore diving from there.

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=66281&highlight=Utila+dive+lodge

 

[DalTexDiver]

Going in August. Good insights

Thanks

 

[Aeolus]

I'm putting a trip together for a group of divers interested in going to Utila. Can anyone answer a few questions...

- Is Nitrox available at most dive resorts in Utila?
- I noticed it list shore diving on both Deep Blue Resort and Laguna Beach websites. Is there actually convenient shore diving from these resorts or is it "close" by? And is the shore diving worth staying at one of these resorts?
- Most of our group are experienced divers, can anyone give me reports on the dive profiles from Laguana Beach, Deep Blue Resort and Utila Dive Lodge?

I'll say from the information I've been given that I'm favoring Deep Blue however for the price difference, I want to be able to assure the group that the price is worth what we are receiving. For me, with a one year old daughter this will probably be my one big trip for the year so I'm opting to pay a little more if I get a wonderful dive vacation.

Thanks,
Suzanne

Suzanne,

I participated in a trip to Utila last year and we stayed with Deep Blue. The people make the resort. I cannot imagine any place being more personable. The facilities are very good and from what I have heard, my only complaint, poor A/C, has been resolved. Enough that I will be returniing in April for another visit. The owners take everything quite personnaly. Since they live on site, dive with you and even share meals and stories and perhaps a drink or two - WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR IN THE WAY OF PERSIONAL SERVICE?

They do have Nitrox available on the boat or for shore dives. There was a brief time when the fills were a little short, but that was due to a new person doing it and only a mention of it to Steve had the situation resolved the next morning.

I am very much looking forward to joing them again as I consider them friends (Steve, Jasmine and Shirley), rather than just owners. I KNOW that you willl enjoy your visit.

Did I get that OK, Steve (just kidding)?

 

[parrotman]

Hi Suzanne,

I am going to Deep Blue in Feb. This will be my third trip in a year. To answer a few of your questions. Yes they have nitrox for both shore and boat dives.
The shore diving is very nice and quite convenient. You just tell them that you want a shore dive and they have the staff bring your gear up to the entry point from the dive lockers. You gear up and get in. A short swim and you are at one of the nicer dive spots on the island. Get out of the water and leave your gear on the beach. The staff picks it up and takes it back to the lockers.
There is no shore diving at Utila Dive Lodge and Laguna beach, although very close to Deep Blue,Laguna does not have the nice house reef. In fact I think they may have to walk over to Deep Blue to use that dive site. Not sure about that though.
I have not stayed at Laguna Beach, however to get to Deep Blue your boat goes right by them. The one thing that I see right up front that is a negative for me is the way the rooms are set up. They are cabanas on the lagoon side and they are quite a distance from the Restraunt. Although quite pretty to look at, when the little bit of tide that they do have goes out, those cabanas are sitting right over the mud. I would think that it would be a bit smelly and the sand flies would be a problem. Like I said, I have never stayed there so don't know for sure.
Deep blue is right on the ocean and there is a nice breeze coming in to the rooms and the grounds. The view is unbeatable from the rooms and you have a nice big deck to hang out on if you choose. They also keep the grounds really clean and I believe they have installed a system around the main building to help reduce sand fly problems. At any rate I have never had a problem being bitten while there.

The dive sites on Utila are quite diverse. You can do low key dives suitable for the novice diver or you can do much more advanced. Black wall is a favorite of mine. You have the potential for a deep dive or you can stay shallow at the top of the wall. Depending on the group that is on the boat, they will take you to the dive sites that fit your requirements.
Above all else is the personal treatment that you get at Deep Blue. The owners are great. Jaz is a wonderful cook. Steve is a hoot and Shirley who you will meet at the airport is a delight.
I can't reccomend them highly enough. (and no, Steve is not paying me to write this! Lol!)

Jim