Utila

[tropicaltrader]

Dove with Captain Morgans and stayed at the Pirates Bay Inn, both ops owned by the same individual.
I can recommend both.
Two tank dives at $55 ea. and that includes all the gear if needed. If you buy a dive package, they knock off serious money and you can get a room at the Inn for $25 or less.
No, didn't see whale sharks, but did see two things my wife and I have been searching for...blue belle tunicates and more pillar coral than you can shake a stick at.
Utila is much like Key West...and it grows on you quickly.
If you are looking for cheap diving, cheap lodging, cheap eating out and rubbing elbows with an eclectic group of islanders, consider Utila and Captain Morgans.

 

[Ilhamita]

Thanks for the nice report.
On a medical note, did you have to take malaria pills while traveling to Utila? Some sites mention the importance of malaria, and some other sites don't even talk about it. Thanks for any advice on the subject!