Come Dive the Whale Shark Capital of the Caribbean with Us!
Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras
Extensive Reefs and Whale Sharks what more could you want?
How about ALL INCLUSIVE? .OK, you got that too!
Dates:
- April 15 - 22 (Saturday to Saturday - 8 days / 7 nights)
Diving Dates:
- April 15 Unlimited Shore diving once everyone has checked in.
- April 16 thru 21 3 boat dives a day possible and unlimited shore diving.
Scuba Diving on Utila . . . .
The extensive reefs of Utila make an all inclusive scuba diving vacation an exciting and varied experience with over 70 buoyed sites around the island to choose from. Diving on the north side of Utila is awe inspiring with sheer walls dropping to over 1000 meters (3000ft) with amazing coral growth on top of the wall. There is always the chance of seeing dolphins, manta rays and many of the other large pelagic creatures that inhabit the Caribbean, including of course, the largest of them all, the whale shark. With the extensive macro life, a photographer and videographers dream. The south side of Utila consists mainly of shallow fringing reefs, the top of the reef at around 5 meters (15ft) dropping down to between 30-40 meters (100-120ft). The reefs here are a mix of small walls with good overhangs and many sites with really pretty spur and groove formations. Some of our favorite visitors to the south shore are eagle rays and turtles. There are also 4 sea mounds approximately 1-3 miles from the Utila coastline. The tops begin at around 10 meters (33ft) and they drop to the ocean floor. The reefs are stunning with lots of soft coral and the chance of seeing the larger pelagic species. Dive trips will include a wreck dive, drift dives and of course, the ever popular night dives. Unlimited shore diving is also available from the resort beach on some of the best south side dive sites.
What makes Utila so special:
The Caribbean island of Utila is one of three in a group of islands called the Bay Islands found just off the coast of Honduras in Central America, the other two being Roatan and Guanaja. It is the second largest island being about seven miles long and three miles wide. It is less developed than its larger and better known neighbor Roatan and has a unique culture which is friendly and welcoming. The true Utilians speak English (well a version of) as their primary language and of course Spanish as the islands are now owned by Honduras.
The Caribbean island of Utila is made up of mangroves, forestry and dry lands which cover approximately 90% of this tropical island. It is rich with indigenous wild life and beautiful mangrove orchids. The only town is built around a natural harbor on the south east end of the island.
Deep Blue Resort
Our hosts, Steve and Jasmine will welcome us to their resort which is set in a private beach front location, surrounded by coconut palms and fruit trees with indigenous wildlife and wild orchids. It is a beautiful get away from it all resort which can only be reached by boat through a lagoon (which has great fishing) at the back of the property. There are no telephones or TVs, if you need to contact the outside world free Internet access is available. The resort has ten spacious, deluxe rooms each with a large private balcony overlooking a white sand beach and the crystal waters of the Caribbean. With a maximum of only twenty guests at any time it is a place where you can truly relax and make yourself at home. Your meals are good quality home style cooking, prepared by Jasmine, with plenty of choices to accommodate all tastes and some good wines to accompany it. You will arrive as guests and leave as friends. With unlimited shore diving on three of the best south side sites, three boat dives per day, Deep Blue Resort is a scuba diving heaven!!
Deep Blue Resort Whale Shark Research Project
Deep Blue will be conducting one of the largest scientific research projects ever undertaken in the Caribbean to find out more about the whale sharks of Utila. Scientists and marine biologists will be brought in from around the world to oversee this project. We will be tagging the whale sharks and taking DNA samples and will also be putting together one of the most extensive video and photographic libraries for all to view. Over the next 5 years we will be obtaining new information to help in the conservation and recognition of the whale sharks of Utila. While the project is being undertaken we will be allowing our guests to assist by taking video footage, photographs and by logging individual whale sharks, see our research website at www.utilawhalesharkresearch.com. The project scientists and staff will brief our guests on what to look for and will then assist with the matching of previous sightings.
Pricing Structure
Whale Shark Project Peak Season: March & April 1 week DOUBLE occupancy: 8 days / 7 nights
Diver: $1200 (normally $1795 for this time of year)
Package Includes
Ocean front accommodation
Private BalconysAir conditioning & fans in all rooms
Refrigerator in each room for drinks & snacks
Welcome cocktail & resort orientation
Breakfast, lunch buffet & full service 3 course dinner
Drinking water & iced tea
Unlimited shore diving (day/night)
Unlimited snorkeling
3 boat dives daily inclusive of 2 night dives
Tanks, belts & weights
Buoyancy control workshop to help protect our reefs
Internet access
What to Bring:
Bug spray: "Off Deep Woods" is best
Ointment for bites & stingsSun lotion / block & sun hats
Personal toiletry items
Lightweight clothing
Rain coat & walking shoes
Swim wear
Dive Towels
Dive torch & batteries
Dive gear including bootees for shore dives
Camera & films if not digital
Reading material
Small medical pack: pain killer, prescriptions, etc.
Travel alarm clock for early morning dives
Diving certification card
US dollars & travelers checks
Not Included
Nitrox
Airfare
Island Hopper to UTILA from Roatan. ($105 RT)
Honduran tax of 16%
Utila Diver Reef Tax of $3 per day of diving paid for at the END of the trip to the resort.
Airfare:
They do not observe DST which may look funny when looking at flight schedules.
When looking into your flights, please make your arrival time NO LATER than 2:30pm into Roatan (RTB) on Saturday - April 15, as for your return flights, please make them afternoon or late morning flights if possible on the 22nd of April.
If you're interested, please let me know.
Remember WAY back when?
