Utila is a prima scuba destinations surrounded by fringing coral reefs, steep walls and beautiful low lying cays.

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A former British Colony, the island of Utila is 8 miles long and 3 miles wide with the only town (East Harbor) nestling along the curve of a large bay in the east end of the island. This is where the only bars and dive shops are located, with a few remote resorts dotted along the south shore. A nice trail leads to the top of Pumpkin Hill, a 243 feet tall hill with views all across the Bay of Islands and the Caribbean Sea. Another popular area is near Oyster Red Lagoon with Blue Bayou, an old time backpacker favorite, and splendid Laguna Beach. Other interesting spots include the Utila Cays and the ever popular beaches of Water Cay, Chepes Beach and Pumpkin Hill Beach. At the southwest corner of Utila near West End you can find several cays (Caylitos) such as Suc-Suc (Pigeon Cay), Ragged Cay, Jewel Cay, Water Cay and Jack O'Neil Cay. Other cays such as Bells Cay, Southwest Cay, Sandy Cay and Little Cay are privately owned with luxury bungalows for rent. These are pristine coral islands less than two feet above the surface. Besides diving, fishing for tarpon and bonefish, snorkeling, kayaking and beaching there is not much to do in Utila. There are two daily ferries that run between mainland La Ceiba and Utila.

Utila is surrounded by fringing coral reefs and a 2000 feet deep continental shelf, making it one of the world's most popular and cheapest areas for scuba divers. In the north you will find steep wall dives with excellent chances of spotting large pelagic. The island has Marine Protected Areas all along the north shore of the island including Raggedy Cay, Turtle Harbor, Blackish Point and Rock Harbor. The whole island is surrounded by clear waters and fringing reef with a table top between 25ft to 5ft, making almost every dive site also suitable for snorkelers.

Whalesharks can be seen year round the best months for them being February, March, April, May with good encounters also in October and December. They have been seen every month for the last three years all around the east end and along the north shore.

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