Who is your favorite dive shop in Utila?

[kathydee]

Please no professionals with solicitations.

But for those of you who have been diving on Utilia -- who was your favorite shop and why? Thanks!

 

[ncchuck]

You didn't give much information so it's hard to respond to your question. Are you looking for a place to dive for a week or are you looking for a school. Many dive operations on Utila are dive schools training up through Instructor.

I trained and dove with BICD (Bay Island Colleg of Diving). I though everyone was very professional and fun to be around. They had descent boats and good dive guides. The diving is unbelievably inexpensive but that's the case all over the island. There is a resort attached (Utila Lodge) that is owned by the same people but a seperate operation. They have a nice boat and a nice place to stay that is right on the water. Some operations aren't even near the water.

 

[kathydee]

You didn't give much information so it's hard to respond to your question.QUOTE]


I will be there anywhere from 2-4 weeks (depending on if I travel to Nicaragua). Only plan on taking a rescue course, but can't rule out other specialty courses - certainly not anything as engaging as a DM course.

I would really like to find a professional low key relaxed shop, not a high-volume shop. It would be nice if they have inexpensive private rooms & a peaceful environment. Basic accommodations & cold water is fine.

Heard about Captain MorganÃÔ it sounds nice.

 

[ncchuck]

I have no actual experience with Captain Morgans. I really thought all the operations on Utila were pretty darn good however. I never saw anyone leave one place to go to another even though many divers spent the entire summer there. Cross creek sometimes has a lot of students at one time but a lot of really young "kids" liked them. They do have really cheap housing available on site. I liked them the least however. I think most people would consider Deep Blue and BICD as the most professional. Both are a lot of fun however and very easy going.

One word of warning. Utila can be addictive. I think about 20 percent of the people that go there and don't have a specific reason to get home stay longer than they expected. It's just a fun place. You can find low budget hotels for $10 to $15 a night or less. If you stay longer you can find an apartment to share for $150 or so a month.

You can't go wrong so just make a pick and enjoy your stay.

 

[kathydee]

One word of warning. Utila can be addictive. I think about 20 percent of the people that go there and don't have a specific reason to get home stay longer than they expected.

Thanks for the info! It sounds great! I managed to pry myself away from Sipadan Borneo last summer to go dive in Bali then had to pry myself away away from Bali to go to Bunakan Sulawesi and really had to work hard to pryed myself away to go to Lembeh and again fought hard to wrangle myself back to Bunakan. Tough, but there are so many amazing things to see and if weather is decent, Little Corn Island in Nicaguara may just be calling ;-).

 

[itsjustme0770]

Hi Kathy-

I think you'll enjoy Utila. That said, given where you've recently spent alot of time diving, do adjust your expectations. There is no diving in the Caribbean that matches that of Indonesia and other areas of the Pacfic. Utila has great macro life and swimming with Whale Sharks is a great experience, but it is incomparable to the Pacific. We recently got back from Bali/Komodo and it was truly stunning. We love Utila and spend alot of time there so if we are biased at all, it is towards Utila, just don't want you being disappointed.

Have a great trip!

 

[kathydee]

Hi Kathy-

I think you'll enjoy Utila. That said, given where you've recently spent alot of time diving, do adjust your expectations. There is no diving in the Caribbean that matches that of Indonesia and other areas of the Pacfic. Utila has great macro life and swimming with Whale Sharks is a great experience, but it is incomparable to the Pacific. We recently got back from Bali/Komodo and it was truly stunning. We love Utila and spend alot of time there so if we are biased at all, it is towards Utila, just don't want you being disappointed.

Have a great trip!

Thanks for the reality check - I know I have been aweful spoiled. Even if Utilia doesn't measure up to SE Asia, it will be nice to see/be somewhere new -- I'm not expecting indonesia. That's next summer when I have 2.5 mos off and hope to explore Papua, Komodo, maybe the Philipines and back to Bali .

4 years straight to Bali so thought it would be nice to play with my very rusty spanish & go somewhere new. Whale sharks would be awesome if I get so lucky! The natural (not the feeding frenzy)shark diving on Roatan looks exciting. Do you have any favorite dives to recommend off Utilia?

 

[itsjustme0770]

I'm sure others will chime in here about dive sites, but there are lots of them. Love Black Hills, CJ's Dropoff, and Duppy Waters. The key with Utila is to perfect your buoyancy and go slow. Lots of little creatures.

Have fun, Utila really is a great place.

 

[kathydee]

One word of warning. Utila can be addictive. I think about 20 percent of the people that go there and don't have a specific reason to get home stay longer than they expected. It's just a fun place.

You were right! I didn't leave till I had to ! What a great time!

 

[kathydee]

Hi Kathy-

I think you'll enjoy Utila. That said, given where you've recently spent alot of time diving, do adjust your expectations. There is no diving in the Caribbean that matches that of Indonesia and other areas of the Pacfic. Utila has great macro life and swimming with Whale Sharks is a great experience, but it is incomparable to the Pacific. We recently got back from Bali/Komodo and it was truly stunning. We love Utila and spend alot of time there so if we are biased at all, it is towards Utila, just don't want you being disappointed.

Have a great trip!

Thanks for the reality check! Adjusted my expectations as you suggested and did have a fantastic time and found plenty to keep me entertained for 34 dives! Enjoyed Pinnacles & Blakish Point the best-- but Black hills and CJ's Drop off were close runner-ups!

The whale sharks & macro were fantastic and am looking forward to returning to Indo in May!

Thanks again for the advice!