Bay Island Advice Needed
Hello all,My wife and I are planning a trip from the east coast of the states to the Bay Islands. I have been to roatan in the past but never Utila. We are based in Providence, Rhode Island. I am looking for the fastest way to get from Providence to Roatan. Boston and New York are close, Boston is much closer. I would like to spend between four days and six days in Roatan and the remaining 5 to 6 days in Utila. I am looking for a resort type place. It doesn't have to be anything fancy we just want to relax and mostly focus on diving. Can You recommend a good resort to stay in in Roatan and another one in Utila? We're looking for an all-inclusive type place with three day dives and an occasional night dive. We are both experienced divers. We are not looking to do this on a shoestring but something reasonable and easy would be ideal. I was thinking about Anthony Keys or Coco View in Roatan and Deep Blue Resort in Utila. Any advice on these two? Is it fast/easy to get a ferry from Roatan to Utila?
One last question, are the dive sites in Utila quick to access as they are in Roatan? I remember the sites in Roatan all being a quick boat ride away.
Thanks in advance,
BK
1
You can fly direct from the US to Roatan, though from NY/Boston area will probably entail a plane change in Atlanta/Miami/Dallas or Houston. Check here for fares, then book with the airlines or Expedia etc.http://matrix.itasoftware.com/
Usually flying to Roatan direct from the states cost more than flying into San Pedro Sula. From SPS, you fly a small plane to Roatan, or take bus under 3 hours to La Cieba and then the ferry to the island, same in reverse from either island.
As for Roatan, not sure if its AI, but the Infinity Bay is a popular resort on a great beach in West Bay. In the west end, more rustic and authentic island feel, you have more lodge type settings, like HalfmoonBay. Nearby, for a boutique hotel, consider CocoLobo, or the old school cottages at SeaGrape. Check trip Advisor, it has all the lodging listed by area/island.
http://roatanhalfmoonresort.com/index.html
http://www.cocolobo.com/
http://www.seagraperoatan.com/
For Utila, I am not aware of a AI there, its more low key and not as developed, there are some great places regardless, as the town is small and everything is right there to walk to and enjoy food, cafes and nightlife. The Lighthouse is at end of town and peaceful area, Altons is also highly recommended for dive shop. UDC has a very nice lodge with a pool and well appointed Cabinas above the town a few minutes walk, cafe, wifi etc, I stayed here and enjoyed it very much.
http://www.mango-inn.com/about/
http://www.aboututila.com/AccomInfo/LightHouse-Hotel/Index.htm
I dont see the value, or need to stay at a AI in Bay Islands, West End has a nice quaint and small islands town feel to enjoy cafes, bars and such.
I am not sure about the sailing option between the two, as Verns Catamaran stopped (he was murdered a few months ago on his boat and shocked the entire island community), it was $55 and 4 hours to sail between the islands.
http://www.roatanisland.net/transport.htm
http://www.roatanonline.com/getting_to.htm
2
There doesn't appear to be any fast easy way to get between the islands at the present. Flying is probably your best option and IIRC CM airlines flies between the two islands only on Sundays though. It'll take you the better part of a day to make the switch via ferry.Utila's divesites are pretty close. You can shore dive from Deep Blue and I dunno how fast their boat is but let's say half an hour to an hour to the far away ones.
Try Scubaboard, they're all about the nitty gritty of the AI scene over there.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bay-islands/
Have a good trip
3
SoloHoboThere's actually five operators that would classify as an AI on Utila if you count the UDC/Mango. Utopia only does two dives a day though.
