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Roatan vs Utila, which one to choose? This was the question I had asked myself before traveling to the two Honduran islands. The basic answer I had found was that Roatan’s diving was nicer than Utila’s, but the latter could boast a more relaxed climate, backpacker style.
Therefore, not knowing how to choose, I decided to spend two nights in Roatan and three in Utila. If I had the chance to make the choice again, today between Roatan and Utila I would definitely choose Roatan!
Roatan vs Utila: Roatan
Roatan is famous for being a popular tourist resort for Americans. The island is quite large: it takes about an hour and a half to drive the entire length of the island. Touristically, the best areas of Roatan are West End and West Bay. I chose West End as it is cheaper and because it is the liveliest area.
The diving in Roatan is actually very good! With the excellent Island Diving Center I did four dives., spectacular! The divemaster who took me diving in Roatan has done more than 10,000 dives-thanks for everything Beto! The reef is still in good condition and there is quite a lot of marine life: the most amazing thing I saw was this giant moray eel.. The dives are suitable for everyone, as there is generally little current.
Roatan is also an excellent place to rest. West Bay, in fact, boasts numerous bars and restaurants, and a nice beach to relax on.
Roatan vs. Utila: Utila
Utila, on the other hand, was a big disappointment for me. I was unlucky with the weather, as it rained. The center is very small: it takes 15 minutes to walk from one side of the center of the island to the other. The disappointment of Utila comes, however, from the diving.
These, in addition to being uninteresting (I literally saw nothing interesting on my two dives: it may be bad luck, but experienced divers have confirmed to me that Utila’s seabed is not as beautiful as Roatan’s) I found them unsafe. Again, it may be bad luck. The fact is that on one dive there were seven of us: five of us were left alone at 20 meters depth for about ten minutes waiting for the divemaster to accompany a diver out of the water.
In my opinion, this is bad dive management, born of groups that are too big to save money.Utila is considered, with Ko Tao, to be the cheapest place to dive in the world.
On the other hand, Utila is nice in the evening. There are various places to go out and have a drink, and the atmosphere is very pleasant.
IN ADDITION TO ROATAN AND UTILA MIGHT INTEREST YOU….
Historical diving in the Phlegraean Fields!
Sharm El Sheikh: fabulous diving
Dive at Capodacqua Lake, Abruzzo!
USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT ROATAN AND UTILA
- Roatan and Utila are well connected both to each other and to La Ceiba, on the mainland of Honduras, thanks to Dream Ferries: find updated schedules here. Service may be suspended in case of rough seas. Roatan is quite large: you have to pay about $25 for a cab to go from the pier to West Bay. In Utila, on the other hand, it’s an easy walk.
- Utila is closer to La Ceiba than Roatan: 45 minutes instead of an hour and a half. From Roatan to Utila, however, it takes an hour by ferry. The cost is about $30, each way.
- La Ceiba is connected by shuttles, of very long duration, to Copan Ruinas, also in Honduras, to Leon, Nicaragua, and to Antigua, Guatemala. The service is provided by. Roneey and Gekko Explorer.
- I preferred Roatan to Utila for the diving and the beaches. As an evening atmosphere, Roatan and Utila tie: both are very pleasant.
- I slept at Lotus House in Roatan: I highly recommend it. In Utila I slept in the good accommodations of Captain Morgan: I do not recommend it, however, as a dive center.
- In Roatan I ate very well at la Ruta del Sabor (excellent pupusa from El Salvador, which I describe on the page dedicated to this magnificent country) and at The Drunken Sailor (Italian cuisine, very good). In Utila, however, I was able to appreciate las donas from Mama Rosa (a kind of tortillas with meat) and the excellent RJ.
- Roatan’s nightlife takes place in West Bay, where there are a number of clubs: sunset with a beer in hand at Sundowners is not to be missed, while Frank’s is a real nightclub on the beach. There is also often a marching band at Blue Marlin. Utila, on the other hand, is home to an excellent brewery, where there is often live music: Utila Brewing Company. Tranquila Bar and La Cueva are two other places where you can dance, while there is karaoke at Edo’s.
- Prices in Roatan and Utila are similar. Restaurants, accommodations and bars have European prices, while diving is not expensive.
