Welcome to Utila
Welcome to our beautiful tropical island of Utila, nestled in the Caribbean Sea and located approximately 18 miles (29 km) from the Honduran mainland port of La Ceiba. Our island is just 11 km long and 4 km at its widest point, and it is surrounded by vast coral reefs with prolific undersea life. The smallest of the major islands in the Bay Islands group, Utila is renowned as one of the least expensive and most beautiful places in the world for a scuba diving vacation.
Whether you are on a backpacking tour of Central America or just taking a short Caribbean vacation away from the busy office, the friendly island people will ensure your time spent here is a relaxing and delightful experience you will treasure and want to share with your family and friends. Most people here speak English, and you can use US Dollars as easily as Honduran Lempiras.
From the Payan Indians, through the years spent as a British colony, to the present day as part of Honduras, our island provides a rich and diverse cultural experience with its unique blend of British, American, and Spanish heritages. This makes Utila an authentic Caribbean island that is still a largely undiscovered and unspoiled tropical paradise.
On the island of Utila, which borders the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (the second largest reef in the world after the Australian Great Barrier Reef), you will discover some of the most beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and tropical island sunsets in the world.
The Population
Most of the population, which averages around 9,000 people, lives on and around Eastern Harbor. The scuba dive shops, bars, restaurants, and many of the hotels are located on the main street, which runs around the harbor from “The Point,” where the old airport was once located, to the start of Chepes Beach, just past Sandy Bay. It takes approximately 20-30 minutes to walk from the beach at one end of the main street to the beach at the other end.
You will not find international or even national chain restaurants and hotels in Utila. All businesses are run by local families or residents. There is a range of lodgings and accommodations available to suit all budgets and tastes, from shared dormitory-style rooms per night, to luxury private houses and inclusive resorts.
What to Discover in Utila ?
Utila, a distinctive Caribbean island renowned for its prime diving location atop the second largest barrier reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, offers more than just captivating coral reefs.
Among its attractions are the renowned whale sharks, which can be encountered year-round but are particularly abundant during the whale shark season from March to April and September to December. The Whale Shark is the world’s largest fish. This slow-moving, harmless fish eats zooplankton, snapper eggs, and shrimp and can grow up to 12-18 meters in length. Unfortunately, the impact of global warming is making these encounters with these magnificent creatures increasingly rare.
While whale sharks may not always be spotted as anticipated, Utila boasts a rich variety of marine life. From stingrays, eagle rays, seahorses, and moray eels to jellyfish, and even sharks, turtles, and dolphins mainly on the North side of the island, there is an abundance of sea creatures to behold. Additionally, the underwater world teems with a diverse array of fish, such as angelfish, parrotfish, lionfish, scorpionfish, or the charming pufferfish.
The possibilities are endless, so why wait? Come and explore the wonders of Utila with us!
The Cays
At the southwest end of the island are the Cays (or Cayitos), a small collection of tiny islands, some just 100 feet across and 1-2 feet above sea level. The two main Cays, Pigeon Cay and Jewel Cay, are inhabited by local fishermen and the descendants of the original settlers who arrived here from the Cayman Islands in 1836.
Most of the other Cays are privately owned, but several are open to visitors, especially Water Cay, the definitive deserted tropical island. Water Cay is uninhabited and has no buildings or construction on it. It is possible to hire a water taxi for the 30-minute journey from the town center to Water Cay and spend the day enjoying the isolation and fabulous snorkeling.