Other activities in Utila
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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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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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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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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…
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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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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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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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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Deep Blue Diving
This dive school offers free hostel stays for students (L$100 non-guests) in its clean, 3rd-floor digs across the street. There’s a shared kitchen and wi-fi. It’s across from Piccola.
reviewed
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L’Atelier
Drop the kids off for a few hours at L’Atelier with Argentinean artist-in-residence Patricia Suarez, who offers art classes for L$200 per hour. She teaches big kids, too.
reviewed
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Ocean Fitness
Utila has a full service public gym, Ocean Fitness, with free weights, machines, and treadmills.
reviewed