Diving FAQ
All dive equipment is included in the price of the course, is of the highest quality and is maintained regularly by our on site, certified technician.
Many customers however prefer to use there own mask and fins. These can be bought on the island from the Dive Shack.
There are no hidden extras in the prices quoted to you by our staff. All prices include books, certification fees and reef fees - a minimal fee paid to the municipality which go towards the maintenance of our coral reef.
We want each student to feel safe and comfortable in the water so we ensure that there are no more than 4 students per Instructor during every water based session.
Utila Dive Centre is a Centre of Excellence and many divers come to us to continue their professional education, so you can feel reassured that there will be more staff in the water to help you.
When you book your Open Water or Advanced Open Water course with us we will arrange for complimentary accommodation for the length of the course. Our accommodation is in comfortable 3-4 bedded dormitories at the Mango Inn. If you prefer a standard room you can get a reduction on the room price.
The Mango Inn is a luxury hotel with private pool, restaurant and bar. All available for your use.
www.mango-inn.com
November to January are the wettest months of the year though this does not adversely affect diving conditions as we have no rivers on Utila. There may be a slight drop in visibility and the water temperature may drop by 1-2 degrees. The best place to be on Utila when it rains is actually on a dive!
All courses run as normal during rainy season and it is rare that we cancel boats
We have 4 custom made dive boats which are serviced on a regular basis. There is lots of room to move around and we ensure the boats are not to crowded. We have a boat designated for Fun Divers and other boats specifically for classes so you can visit Dive Sites appropriate for you level of experience.
Our fast boats get you to the dive sites quickly so there is less time spent travelling and more time spent diving. All our boats are equipped with DAN O2, VHF radios and water. There is plenty of shade on the boat to protect you from the sun on these hot Carribean days!
Our local Captains were brought up on these waters and know them well. They can give advice on local marine life and where various swim throughs are along the reef.
Traditionally Whaleshark season was from the end of January until April. For the last few years this has not been the case. Whalesharks have been spotted on Utila every month for the last 18 months!
Our experienced Captains grew up in on the water around Utila and are experts at spotting these glorious creatures. If Whalesharks are in the area, our Captains are more than happy to search for them on your surface interval between dives.
Our Divemasters will lead you on this experience - we take great care when approaching the Whalesharks so not to frighten them or cause them harm. It is truly sensational to see this big fish swim towards you. Don't worry, Whalesharks are gentle and will do you no harm!
