Paradise as it was intended! Set out over the turquoise Caribbean waters of Utila Bay, Utila Lodge is the perfect place for whatever you’re looking for in a vacation. Sitting on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest reef system on the planet, Utila is host to world-class diving. With over 60 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. Most famously, Utila is known as the Whale Shark capital of the Caribbean. It is one of the only places on the planet where they are documented every month of the year.
Project Focus: The purpose of this trip is to conduct fish surveys to support REEF's Volunteer Fish Survey Project. Click here to learn more about participating in fish surveys on a REEF Field Survey Trip!
Best Suited For: Divers and Snorkelers.
Accommodations: Utila Lodge has 8 beautiful island-style private rooms built out over the Caribbean with modern amenities, private bathrooms, and private screened-in porches. Each room has a queen and a double bed in it and the bathrooms have his and her sinks. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, cable TV, and free high-speed wireless internet. The beds are comfy, the rooms are spacious, and the private porches are the perfect place to unwind.
Diving: The trip package includes 5 days of 3-4 boat dives daily, Sunday-Thursday, with 2-morning dives on Friday. The average water temperature is in the mid-low 80's and visibility is generally around 100 feet/30 meters. Nitrox can be added for certified divers at $120 pp.
Pricing, Inclusions, and Other Fees
| Double Occ. Diver | Double Occ. Non-Diver | |
| Deluxe Room | $1,799 | $1,309 |
*Please note this includes the Honduran Tax
Your Package Includes: The trip package includes seven nights of accommodation, five days of 3-4 boat dives daily with 2 dives Friday morning, 3 meals daily plus dinner on arrival, breakfast on departure, and complimentary use of sea kayaks, tanks, and weights.
REEF Program Fee: A REEF Program Fee of $300 per diver will be added to each package to cover the cost of the group leader, seminar, and REEF survey materials.
Other Costs Paid to REEF: An inter-island flight from Roatan to Utila will be arranged by the resort for all guests and the cost for this will be paid directly to REEF. As of March 2024, the current price for this flight is $200 per person roundtrip, and it is expected to increase slightly by the time of the trip.
Additional Fees - Not Paid to REEF: The following costs are not included in the price paid to REEF. Marine park fees (subject to change; paid onsite) and rental equipment. Gratuities are not included in the trip package and are at each individual's discretion.
Registration
To reserve your space, email trips@REEF.org or call 305-588-5869. A $500 per person deposit will be due to confirm your reservation. Visit our Trip Policies page for more information on deposit and payment schedules.
Honduras Travel Info
Insurance: Travel insurance is not included. REEF strongly recommends that each participant purchase adequate dive travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. REEF partners with both DiveAssure and DAN to offer travel insurance packages specifically for divers. REEF will receive a portion of the proceeds from travel insurance purchases when you click on the following affiliate links for DiveAssure or DAN.
How to Get There: Participants should make arrangements to fly into Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (RTB), arriving in the morning or early afternoon of April 6 and departing on the afternoon of April 13. Participants are responsible for booking their own international airfare to Roatan. Utila Lodge will book inter-island flights to and from Utila closer to the time of departure. The current price (as of March 2023) for these flights is $200 per person round trip and is subject to change.
Transfers: Utila Lodge will provide transfers to and from the Utila Airport.
Passports, Documentation, and Visas: Visitors to Honduras are required to have a current passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of entry, and one blank page. U.S. citizens visiting Honduras for less than 90 days do not require a visa. Please refer to the appropriate consulate for the requirements to enter Honduras.
COVID-19 Considerations: It is the participant's responsibility to ensure that they understand and comply with all local requirements (for entry and visit as a tourist) of the host destination, and for exit and entry requirements for their home country. Be prepared for your plans to change. Be sure your travel insurance covers COVID-related issues. No travel is risk-free during the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries may further restrict travel or bring in new rules at short notice, for example, due to a new COVID-19 variant. Please be aware that REEF is not a travel agent. We are doing our best to interpret the information provided by our trip vendor and the host country’s government COVID-19 webpages. We encourage everyone to do their own research, interpretation, and due diligence. Please see REEF’s COVID-19 Considerations and Vaccine Policies section in our REEF Field Survey Trips Policies page for more information.