SCUBA DIVING

Utila is one of three small islands within the Bay Islands of Honduras. It is located at the southern
tip of the Meso-American Barrier Reef (MABR), the second largest barrier reef system in the
world, after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. Don’t be fooled by the islands small size, Utila is
teeming with aquatic life, from small spotted drumfish, swimming in small figures of eight, the,
and largest fish in the sea, the Whale Shark, and everything in between. Whale Sharks are found
all year round in Utila, as a result to its proximity to the MABR, and the huge upwelling system
found there.
The island hosts diving for all levels of divers, from shallow dives surrounded by coral and small
reef fish, to the South and East of the island. The North side of the island is really where its at,
however the boat ride can be time consuming. This side is full of walls stretching beyond
recreational limits, as well as natural rock mazes, but can host mild to strong currents. There are
many dive centres in Utila, and all are located in the South Bay, so the majority of dive sites
around the shops are usually busy, and due to this, experienced divers may prefer the North.
Consequently there is always a lot of particles in the shallows, and also that much of the coral life
is suffocated by the sand.
Utila is located in the Caribbean, and roughly ten years ago, it saw the invasion of the Red lionfish
which negatively impact the coral reef habitat. Throughout the Caribbean, culling of this invasive
species is allowed, with the use of Hawaiian slings and scuba gear. The island of Utila has many
training workshops that teach you how to hunt the fish, and once certified, you can take a spear
and help reduce the impact this fish is having. I personally found this to be exhilarating, and gives
diving a new meaning, making you feel as though you were in a James Bond movie (kind of).
Utila is bursting with migratory and residential species. Among these species, loggerhead turtles
can be seen from June to September, which come to lay their eggs on the island. During the day
these gentle reptiles can be found feeding on sponges and swimming at the surface. Utila also
hosts a large population of spinner dolphins, aptly named for their acrobatic displays.
Elasmobranchs can also be found around the island, including Stingrays, who are often observed
digging into the sand to prepare an ambush on small fish. Eagle rays, gracefully gliding through
groups of divers. On the Northern side, inquisitive nurse sharks investigate divers, expecting a
meal of lionfish, but fear not, they remain docile. One of the most commonly observed fish in
Utilan reefs are Parrotfish, boasting all their colours and fluttering about the reef. My personal
favourite fish also inhabits the reefs of Utila, the yellowtail damsel; with its bright dots bluer than
blue, and the juveniles covered from head to tail in blue dots, these are a great treat. Many of the
fish contain this bright blue colouration. The barred hamlet’s face is covered in stripes of this
bright blue, the brightest blue i’ve ever seen underwater, it puts the turquoise blue of the
Caribbean seas to shame.
Written by Mathieu Noe