Why Utila?
Utila has gained recognition among travelers for being a fun and affordable place to visit. It’s unique in many ways with visitors acclaiming both the authentic feel of the island and the friendliness of the locals. Striking up conversation is easy and because of the wide variety of visitors from around the world, you’ll likely find yourself chatting it up with strangers from across the globe.
The island is just 7 miles (11km) long and 2.5 miles (4km) at it’s widest point. This makes it the smallest of the Bay Islands of Honduras. The Bay Islands have had a European influence since Christopher Columbus landed on Guanaja in 1502 after making his 4th voyage across the Atlantic. Once a Pirate stronghold, it is believed that the legendary pirate, Captain Henry Morgan, has treasure buried somewhere on the island.
Sitting on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest reef system on the planet, Utila is host to world class diving. With over 60 buoyed dive sites, there is plenty to explore. Wrecks, caves, huge drops offs, and sea mounds all around the island provide changing dive scenery to ensure every dive is unique and memorable.
Perhaps most famously, Utila is known as the Whale Shark Capitol of the Caribbean. It is one of the only places on the planet where they are documented in every month of the year. Migrating great distances to visit Utila’s waters, they are mostly found on the north side of the island where they feed on the scores of plankton pushed up to the ocean’s surface by currents.
Utila truly has something for everyone. Come see for yourself!
Interested in exploring Utila in the most thorough way possible? Look no further: