Utila is an island in the Caribbean Sea and located approximately 18 miles (29 km) from the port of Honduras, La Ceiba. The. The island is only 11 km in length and about 4 km wide and surrounded by vast coral reefs with a prolific underwater life. The Bonacca Ridge is ultimately responsible for the formation of several islands and Keys in the surrounding areas including Utila, Roatan, and the Island of Guanaja.

 
 

ABOUT UTILA

  • Population: 4,160 (2015)

  • Language: English, Spanish

 

How to get to Utila

  • Sosa

  • Cm airlines

  • island air / Bay Islands Air Charters, S De RL

  • Utila dream ferry

ISLAND OVERVIEW

From the Payan Indians, through the past years take up as a British colony, to the present as part of Honduras, the island is rich in cultural and diverse experience with its unique blend of British, American and Spanish heritage, which makes it in an authentic Caribbean Island.

Utila borders the Barrier Reef system of Mesoamerica, which is the second largest reef in the world (largest in the northern hemisphere) after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Utila has some of the most beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and sunsets in the world.

The majority of the population, which has an average of around 4,500 people, lives in Eastern Harbor and its surroundings.

Restaurants, bars, dive shops, and many different hotels are located on the main street that surrounds the port from "The Point.” It can take anwhere from 20 to 30 minutes to get across the entire island from end to end.

Utila is also famous for divers around the world, and many people visit Utila for the sole purpose of having an encounter with the whale shark that migrates through the waters of this island. The whale shark is the largest fish (and shark) in the world. The whale shark, which moves slowly, is zooplankton, a snapper egg and an innocuous shrimp that feed on fish that grow up to 12-18 meters in length and tourist love to see.

From above the island, you'll see small keys also called “Cayitos” which are a small collection of smaller islands, some of them only 100ft wide and 1-2 feet above sea level. The primary two keys are Suc-Suc and Jewel Cay they are inhabited by fishermen.

Most of the keys surrounding Utila are private islands, but some of them are open to visitors like Water Cay which is the definition of a tropical desert island.

Water cay hosts one of the most significant 2-day music festival, The SunJam,l in Honduras which is always around the first week of August.

 
 

Where to Stay?

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Utila is a favorite destination for backpackers. Utila offers a warm welcome to travelers from all over the world. You will not have to travel to long before finding travel-friendly accommodations to fit any budget. Our aim is to bring you trustworthy places to stay in Utila. For a list of long-standing establishments on the island here here; you'll be glad you did. Lets get started. 

What to Do?

Scuba Diving is by far the largest attraction for Utila. In part, because scuba diving in Utila is good year round. That said, the island is a magnet for backpackers traveling across Central America. Each year, groups gather in Utila for its annual festival. Still more, Whale Shark encounters are common on the island of Utila and this too brings visitors from all over the world. 

Where to Dive?

Utila has long been known for Whale Shark encounters. Whale Shark migration and feeding patterns take them through Utila every year. It is no coincident that the Professional Association of Diving Instructions (PADI) has one of its largest hubs in Utila. Scuba Diving in Utila is world-class, and that alone gives good reason to visit the island. Here are a few operators. 

 

“Utila packs a solid punch. This little island is a must for travelers passing through of for anyone looking to stay for a while. Utila is remote, alive, and a must do."