Whale Sharks in Utilla
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DivePartner1
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I was there mid Feb. last year. My group saw four.
Definitely NOT June or July. In early July when I was there, the DM's looked at me like I was crazy for hoping to see one. They said "one DM from another shop said he saw one about three weeks ago but we think he was lying".
On the other hand, I did manage to see three while diving one weekend in Anambas (Indonesia) last November. Totally awesome!!
On the other hand, I did manage to see three while diving one weekend in Anambas (Indonesia) last November. Totally awesome!!
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Hey Champ,
Over the years I've spent quite a bit of time on Utila. It is my favorite place. It's not fancy, in fact much like the carribean was 40 years ago. If you're looking for an all inclusive there are three, Deep Blue Resort, Laguna Beach and Utila Lodge. There are 11 dive operations on the island andthey are very competitive.
I've been there three times in 2003. Two weeks in Feb, Five weeks in April & may and two weeks in November. If you don't plan to stay in an all inclusive there are places you can obtain ranging from a basic room to a small hotel. You can get a room for about $4-$6 nite. We usually rent a furnished apt when we stay for longer periods of time. In November we stayed at the Hotel Rose ($18.00 night) and dove with Deep Blue Divers (Separate operation from their all inclusive.) The hotel is directly across the street form DB Divers. The Coco Loco bar is at the end of the pier behind Deep Blue. All kinds of small reasonable places to eat up and down main street. Dive packages at Deep Blue and most of the other operation run about $125.00 for 10 dive packages. Most include equip if you don't have your own equip. Check around. You can walk anywhere on the island. Best time to see Whale Sharks is February and March & part of April. They are seen there all year around, just not like in the peak months I've mentioned. Hope this has been of help.
Regards,
Over the years I've spent quite a bit of time on Utila. It is my favorite place. It's not fancy, in fact much like the carribean was 40 years ago. If you're looking for an all inclusive there are three, Deep Blue Resort, Laguna Beach and Utila Lodge. There are 11 dive operations on the island andthey are very competitive.
I've been there three times in 2003. Two weeks in Feb, Five weeks in April & may and two weeks in November. If you don't plan to stay in an all inclusive there are places you can obtain ranging from a basic room to a small hotel. You can get a room for about $4-$6 nite. We usually rent a furnished apt when we stay for longer periods of time. In November we stayed at the Hotel Rose ($18.00 night) and dove with Deep Blue Divers (Separate operation from their all inclusive.) The hotel is directly across the street form DB Divers. The Coco Loco bar is at the end of the pier behind Deep Blue. All kinds of small reasonable places to eat up and down main street. Dive packages at Deep Blue and most of the other operation run about $125.00 for 10 dive packages. Most include equip if you don't have your own equip. Check around. You can walk anywhere on the island. Best time to see Whale Sharks is February and March & part of April. They are seen there all year around, just not like in the peak months I've mentioned. Hope this has been of help.
Regards,
I found a web site that hinted that May - September was the best time to see a Whale Shark in Utilla. I'm planning on going in Feb ... It's good to hear that you all saw some.
http://www.diveglobal.com/explore_destinations/destinations/caribbean/bayislands.asp
http://www.diveglobal.com/explore_destinations/destinations/caribbean/bayislands.asp
terrydarc
Guest
We were there in Feb. 2003 with Utila Dive Center - on 14 times in the water with snorkel gear, I saw 11 whale sharks. One dive with Utila Water Sports and 1 for 1 there. The secret is not only to go during the right time of year - Jan-Mar and maybe into April, but to do it at the right time of month.
The way that works is that the food of the whale sharks are tiny little fish that breed during the full and, according to the dive boat captain, new moons. They are well worth spending a little extra effort to see them.
The way that works is that the food of the whale sharks are tiny little fish that breed during the full and, according to the dive boat captain, new moons. They are well worth spending a little extra effort to see them.
dedhed
Registered
I was in Utila last March 11-28. I swam with four whale sharks, one upwards of 35 ft! I stayed at the Hotel Rose and dove with Alton's. Utila is as layed back and hip as any caribean dive rock. Young and old alike hang out at local restaurants and bars and talk diving, it's maybe the best all diving island in the hemisphere. The price of accomodations and diving make it possible o stay for three weeks for the cost of one at any other comparable caribean dive location. Utila is the best
peace,
Stephen
peace,
Stephen
champ:
IMHO, that website has its facts bass ackwards! According to the dive guides that live and work on Utila, you are somewhat lucky to see whalesharks after May. They're not as rare as hen's teeth but earlier in the year is defitiely better for seeing them.
BTW, there are some other errors on that page too such as Utila being part of the second largest barrier reef system in the world. That's an often quoted marketing line that no knowledgeable marine biologist agrees with. It is definitely not part of the Belieze reef system.
It's still a great place to dive year round.
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