Activities in Bay Islands
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Alton’s Dive Center
Longtime local shop – ‘Alton’ is Alton Cooper, Utila’s mayor until 2010 – with good equipment and a laid-back atmosphere. Courses include four night’s accommodation – in little, basic, cold-water rooms right at the shop – and two fun dives. The service can be a bit hit and miss. It also offers NAUI courses.
reviewed
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Diving Sites
Roatán has dozens of dive sites and most shops do a good job of making sure divers who buy multi-dive packages don't end up going to the same place again and again. If there's a site you are keen to try, don't be afraid to ask. At the same time, weather and water conditions dictate most site selection, and some dives aren't practical or diveable for days at a time.
Some favorites - among many, many others - include: Mary's Place: fissures in the coral form a deep, sheer-faced maze at this one-of-a-kind site. Winding through, you'll likely see jacks, lobsters and crabs, and huge schools of silversides; near the mooring, keep an eye out for seahorses. Mary's Place is near …
reviewed
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Cross Creek
Owned by the Utila Diver Center, Cross Creek is a bit more expensive, but has friendly multilingual staff and professional instruction. Breakfast and accommodation are included with an Open Water course, and the rooms are some of our favorites on the island. All guests can use the big, shared kitchen and lounge.
reviewed
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Roatán Institute for Deepsea Exploration
The Roatán Institute for Deepsea Exploration is the fancy name for an American kid with a homemade submarine, which he uses to take tourists into the deep-sea trenches just off Roatán’s north shore. This is one of only two operations in the world that take Joe Public deeper than 91m. And the Idabel, as the sub is called, goes much deeper than that – more than 610m down, for as long as seven hours. There is no vegetation after 91m (and no light after 520m) and only the strangest of life forms: bioluminescent sponges, swimming sea cucumbers, six-gilled sharks, all amid huge limestone boulders and fossilized coral formations. The sub’s creator, Karl Stanley, got into sub…
reviewed
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Central American Spanish School
Utila isn’t the most logical place in the world to take Spanish classes – most of the locals speak English – but all of the professors at the Central American Spanish School are native speakers from La Ceiba, and there are more and more mainland transplants working and living here. Homestays aren’t available yet, but with a little effort you should have no trouble finding people to practice your skills on. Classes are offered for all levels, usually one-on-one, four hours per day, five days per week. All books and materials are included, along with five hours of internet access per week, and the school can help arrange long-term lodging. It’s opposite Rubi’s Inn.…
reviewed
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Gumbalimba Park
GumbalimbaPark, a family recreation park, has something for everyone: beach, kayaking, canopy tour, snorkeling, SNUBA, nature path, botanical garden, monkey and bird enclosures, and, of course, restaurants and gift shops. Aimed squarely at cruise-shippers, it can still be a fun outing for independent travelers with kids. The park is only open to the general public on days when there are no cruise ships on the island. Even more strange, the park does not have set individual admission prices – they negotiate package deals with cruise ship companies – so be sure to call the day you plan to go to see what the fee is. It’s a 10-minute walk north on the beach from West Bay.…
reviewed
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Eddy & Danny Fishing Charter
At the far end of town, Eddy & Danny Fishing Charter is a friendly family operation that takes groups trolling (for tuna, dorado, barracuda, and sometimes wahoo and marlin in season), deep-sea fishing (for grouper, and snapper) and flat fishing (catch-and-release bone fish). On a full-day trip (L$6650 to L$11,400 depending on the boat), you can combine different types of fishing, and even stop for snorkeling or lunch on a deserted beach. Half-day trips cost from L$3800 to L$6650. At the end of the day, you can have your catch cooked up, along with potatoes, garlic bread and veggies, for an extra L$100 per person.
reviewed
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Hiking
A loop starting in West End heading to Flowers Bay, then continuing south almost to the tip of the island, over the ridge to West Bay and back up the beach to West End, makes a good five- to six-hour hike. Tack on a couple of hours enjoying the beach at West Bay, and it's a whole day's excursion. For a shorter trek, simply do the West End-Flowers Bay leg - when you reach the ridge, look out over both sides of the island.
In either case, bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and adequate repellent to ward off the numerous ticks and sand flies.
reviewed
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Santé Wellness Center
A great way to pamper yourself is at the SantéWellnessCenter, a day spa located on a tiny, private island about 5km east of French Harbour. Treatments cost anywhere from L$600 to L$1900. If you find it hard to leave, you don’t have to – there is a high-end bed and breakfast (room L$2375) here as well. Base prices include breakfast, but all-inclusive packages including meals, spa treatments and diving are also available.
reviewed
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Subway Watersports
Subway Watersports operates out of the resort, but is open to the public. Open Water dive courses cost L$7220, while fun dives are L$665. The resort can also arrange sunset horseback rides, which last from 1½ to 2½ hours (advance reservations required), or if you’re feeling brave, try the 1½-hour canopy tour, located near the main road.
reviewed
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Utila Dive Center
Utila’s first and biggest dive shop, UDC issued more Open Water certifications in 2004 than any other shop in the world. Groups can get big (up to 12 people) but there’s at least one staff member (whether instructor, assistant or divemaster) for every two students. Courses are more expensive, but include four nights at the Mango Inn and two fun dives.
reviewed
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Utila Water Sports
One of the few locally-owned shops, this operation also manages the Agressor and the high-end Laguna Beach Resort. It has excellent gear and a well-trained and well-supported staff. It offers both PADI and SSI certification. Open Water courses include three free nights in its clean and cozy dorms (some private rooms are available), plus four free fun dives.
reviewed
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Kayaking
There are plenty of places to push off in West End; Half Moon Bay is one of the easiest - and prettiest - places since it's so well protected. A few hotels - Posada Arco Iris, Sea Breeze Inn, and Casa Calico - provide kayaks for their guests to use. Lighthouse Rentals (363 6727; near Lighthouse Restaurant) rents one- and two-person kayaks.
reviewed
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Utila Snorkel Centre
Many dive shops will loan or rent snorkel gear to their students, some to non-students as well. Utila Snorkel Centre is a brand-new shop (next to Munchies) offering snorkeling day trips (L$450 per person) to Jack Neal Cove and Water Cay. It may also be able to arrange a day trip to Cayos Cochinos for L$1615 per person.
reviewed
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Ecomarine Dive Shop
Low-key and unpretentious, with small classes and solid instruction. Located in a residential area a 10-minute walk west of the center, which can be a bummer or a blessing. The backpacker lodge across the street is free for students and L$40-100 for non-divers, and has a small shared kitchen and even smaller rooms.
reviewed
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Captain Morgan’s Dive Centre
Small operation with an office at the intersection, but its dive shop and lodging are on Jewel Cay (Upper Cay), a 20-minute boat ride from Utila. Three to four nights of lodging are included with your Open Water course in the clean and comfy lodge – a good bet if you want to get away from the Utila scene.
reviewed
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Bay Islands College of Diving
Well-established shop that appeals especially to nervous first-time divers. Its policy is to have only four divers per course or fun dive, but the shop’s popularity can stretch the staff thin at times. It offers discounts at nearby hotels.
reviewed
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Native Sons
A solid, professional outfit run by Alvin Jackson, a local instructor with almost three decades of experience. Fast, modern boats mean this shop is more willing than most to go to distant dive spots. It’s at the entrance to Chillies hotel.
reviewed
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Glass-Bottom Boat Rides
For glass-bottom boat rides head to the small kiosk across from the Beach House at Half Moon Bay. There is no fixed schedule, and at least two people are needed to take the 45- to 60-minute trip. It also offers snorkeling tours.
reviewed
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Derry's Diner
Just past the Palms condos, Derry's Diner takes groups of four or more on hour-long snorkel trips. You don't go far - just to Blue Channel or Canyon Reef in front - but it's nice to snorkel from a boat and you can't beat the price.
reviewed
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Coconut Tree Divers
The only shop to regularly offer advanced two-tank dives in the morning. Experienced instructors lead most dives; after-dive beers draw a younger crowd. It has basic dorms for divers (per person L$100). Next to Coconut Tree Market.
reviewed
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Wind & Fun Windsurf School
Wind & Fun Windsurf School offers private lessons for L$800 per session (1½ to two hours, including equipment); equipment rental only is L$400 per hour. It’s west of Blue Bahía Resort.
reviewed
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Roatan Shore Excursion: Zip 'n' Dip Canopy Tour
4 hours (Departs Roatan, Honduras)
by Viator
Roatan is mostly known for two things -- beaches and adventure. On the famous Zip 'n' Dip Canopy Tour, you can enjoy both of these and make the most of your tim…Not LP reviewed
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Underwater Vision
Friendly, local shop founded by Jernigan Cooper, father of Mayor Cooper, and run by members of the family. Courses included four nights accommodation and two fun dives. Centrally located, but still low key.
reviewed
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Roatan Shore Excursion: Extreme Zipline Canopy Adventure
90 minutes (Departs Roatan, Honduras)
by Viator
Spend time soaring through the treetops of Roatan on this ziplining shore excursion! See the beautiful island of Roatan from a unique perspective as you zipline…Not LP reviewed
from USD$84.99
