Utila & Roatan

topic posted Mon, April 14, 2008 - 10:31 AM by  David
hello fellow tribers and divers, i am working on a short trip out to the Bay islands the end of this month and i am looking for any advice regarding dive outfits on Utila and/or Roatan. I am certified open water diver and am looking for affordability/professional outfits. Also if anyone has recommendations for places to eat, places to stay and things to do, it will be geatly appreciated. Bless up...
posted by:
David
SF Bay Area
  • Re: Utila & Roatan

    Mon, April 14, 2008 - 11:45 AM
    Depends on what level of luxury you are looking for. I had a tremendous amount of fun in Roatan at Native Sons dive shop. It is in West End, and right in front of Chili's Hotel. Since I stayed at Chili's all my dives were $15 each, with night dives being $35 I believe. It wasn't super luxurious, but all I need is a decent bed to sleep in and don't care if I have to share a bathroom.

    As for Utila, I recommend Utila Dive Center. They've got 3 or 4 boats still I think, and the UDC dock is the best place to grab a beer and watch the sun set. They also have BBQs every week (at least they still did 6 months ago), with lots of food, and fire spinners. If you want more of luxurious stay, try the Laguna Beach Resort. I can't say there is much difference in the staff, but there will be a big difference in the people you are diving with depending on where you go. Utila caters mostly to backpackers, but there are a few more upscale "resorts".
    • Re: Utila & Roatan

      Tue, April 15, 2008 - 10:55 AM
      Amanda said it. West End is the cheapest and easiest. I stayed my first two nights somewhere for $30 a night, my own room and bathroom with a fan and it was great. i downsized to a $10 a night room near Chili's sharing a bathroom with a gazillion people, but that was fine too. You almost don't even need to book a place ahead of time there as there are just so many rooms to rent. I dived with I think West End Divers and it was also $15 a dive, but this was in 2003 so it may have gone up? Make sure to tell them you're not with a cruise ship as well as places charge more.

      I have also only heard good things about Utila Dive Center.

      Lucky you!
  • Re: Utila & Roatan

    Tue, April 15, 2008 - 10:30 PM
    I've dived both Utila and Roatan. Roatan has slightly better dives, but is a little more expensive and a little less fun than Utila. At the end of the day, I think I prefer the "backpacker" situation of Utila a bit more even if it isn't always my scene. On Utila i would recomend UDC, Watersports, Laguna Beach resort, and Deep Blue. And Tranqulia is my favorite bar. Have fun!
    • Re: Utila & Roatan

      Wed, April 16, 2008 - 3:59 PM
      Thanks for all your help, i am very excited and pretty much have been researching and planning my trip along the lines of what has been mentioned. So thank you all very much, i cannot wait, is there any places that i most definitely check out and are there places to just stay far from?

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