Recent Reports From Utila?

[SandyUT]

Hi all, 5 of us are meeting up on Utila in about a month. very excited to get back to Honduras. Roatan was our first experience and loved the diving.

Has anyone been to Utila this year? Looking for current water temps, conditions, whale shark reports etc. Looking to fuel the pre trip excitement!

Thanks!

 

[laurenceh]

i just got back from 8 weeks at my place on utila. we've had a very late rainy season this year, usually its oct-jan, this year its been nov-feb.

as with roatan the last few weeks have seen enormous amounts of sargassum weed floating around and washing up on the beaches. its not everyones cup of tea but we have had some incredible snorkeling under these huge weed rafts, fascinating ecosystem to observe. it has also made for some interesting safety stops.

the water is warming up nicely and is around 82f at the surface presently.

we had a storm this week and more rain, we're just hoping it's the last one, consequently the visibility is not as good yet as it usually is by now (vis gets better each month from the end of rainy season onwards) but as long as we get no more rain you should be fine in a month.

we saw a few whale sharks in the lead up to january full moon time but none during the same lunar cycle in february. generally march, april, may and september are our best whale sharks months but with the seasons getting so messed up lately, who knows what will happen this year.

i hope this is helpful

 

[SandyUT]

very helpful!!! thank you. Utila has been on my short lost for a very long time. my wife is (was) small plane averse...but I have shown her that it can be well worth the effort. cant wait!

 

[laurenceh]

where are you staying on utila?

 

[SandyUT]

after miuch debate amougst the group we are landing at Utila Lodge

 

[laurenceh]

ok in utila town. they have a nice staff, its very popular with dive groups (very professional dive op) and karaoke singers. my friend is a neighbor and has often threatened suicide if she has to hear hotel california one more time
have fun

 

[Earl Grey]

Echoing laurenceh, the viz was relatively bad late this past week (19th and 20st) due to storms. Surge conditions on the top of the reef and minimal viz, but cleared out to around ~ 40ft along the wall. A layer of colder water was on the surface which made some safety stops chilly and when the sun wasn't shining the surface interval was awful. Hopefully the rain is over and you won't need it, but recommend taking a windbreaker or light jacket just in case.

Earlier last week (17th & 18th) conditions were much better with sun shining and ~ 60 ft viz. My computers were showing around 81F though the cooler water at the surface sometimes hit 79F.

Enjoy!

 

[SandyUT]

Thanks for the report! Hope the weather calms for us. The temp reports are very helpful. Going with the 3/2 full suit I believe. My cold tolerance is fading....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[laurenceh]

for the only accurate weather reports for utila (the only one that uses island based weather reporting stations, rather than mainland reports). go to Windfinder - wind, wave & weather reports, forecasts & statistics worldwide its the one local skippers use.

 

[SandyUT]

that's a nice link that will satisfy my OCD tendencies before the trip!