Explore Ulita

Diving in Utila

Diving in Utila offers endless diverse experiences. Dive sites typically entail shallow and extremely colorful reef diving with minimal current, which is perfect for beginners. There are also deep reef sites suited to experienced divers, and extremely deep sites that allow for technical diving.

The south side is slightly different, with lots of shallow, fringing reefs all within close proximity to the land. Most reefs start at around 6 meters/20 feet and drop to around 18 meters/59 feet, though some can plunge to 40 meters/131 feet. Jack Neil Point and Jack Neil Beach are excellent examples of south side reef sites that boast tons of hard and soft corals all shallow and easy to enjoy. 

The macro diving on the south side is also a photographer’s dream, especially at sites like Pretty Bush and Black Coral Wall. For cave diving in breathtaking tunnels, swim-throughs and caverns, Airport Caves is the site to choose. Seamounts and underwater mountains like at Black Hills are also prominent on the south side, though currents can be strong, allowing for some speedy drift diving. Wall diving is similarly popular, with a number of jaw-dropping sites to discover.

Utila’s north side is much more exposed to open ocean, where plenty of drift diving spots are located, and numerous wall dive sites have been carved, including the famous CJ’s Drop Off, which is a vast, plunging wall, and Duppy Waters that’s coated with sponges.

The topography is a little more adventurous on this side, consisting of more swim-throughs, caverns and pinnacles. Jack’s Bight features some incredible cavern systems and isn’t all that deep, at around 12–18 meters/39–59 feet. 

For wreck diving, there are a few good spots to check out, though the best shipwreck in Utila is the Halliburton, which was purpose-sunk in 1998 to serve as an artificial reef and wreck diving specialty training site. 

Night diving is equally as great in Utila, where there are tons of lively sites to experience underwater magic in the dark. Some operators offer a special opportunity during a new moon, where in total darkness, you can see the ethereal beauty of the string of pearls phenomenon, when spiralling lights form shapes and swirls, lighting up the ocean, resembling the Milky Way.

The best Months to Dive in Utila

Diving is enjoyable all year in Utila and the Bay Islands, with warm temperatures ranging between 27°C–30°C/81°F–86°F. Though, the best time is usually April and May, when the dry season provides warm, sunny weather with minimal rain, and the most favorable ocean conditions.

The rainy season’s timing is different to Honduras mainland, and runs from July to January, though the wettest months are from October until January. The wet season doesn’t mean it’s a total washout however, as the tropical rains usually pass quickly, and sunny days still occur frequently.

Whale sharks can be seen any time of the year, but for the highest chances, dive between February and April. You might see whale sharks at any time of the year but mid February to April are the peak months.