For Boat Snorkeling in Utila:
Most of the dive shops in Utila will welcome snorkelers on their dive boat during an already scheduled trip for scuba divers. However, it is best to secure your place in advance to ensure the boat is going to a slightly more shallow dive site suitable for snorkeling and to be sure there is snorkel gear available for you to rent (if necessary), as priority will go to the scuba divers.
Bush’s Bay Island Charters (located at Bush’s Supermarket in the centre of town), will arrange snorkeling trips and have snorkel gear to rent and provide a guide.
Contact: Kirstie or Dennie at + (504) 3145-7139
Sunbliss Tours and Charters offer guided snorkel trips to Sea Mounds and to the North Side of the island, and pretty much anywhere else you might want to go.
Inquire at the Juice Bar close to the centre of town beside the Bahia Store for more information on Snorkel or other tours offered by Sunbliss Tours and Charters
Contact: Junior (504) 9734 3422
e-mail: jr_williams06@hotmail.com
The Bay Islands College of Diving (BICD), located on the main street of Utila in Sandy Bay at the corner with the Fire Station also offers snorkel trips during certain times of the year, and usually, on weekends.
Contact: (504) 2425 3291
For Shore Snorkeling in Utila:
One of the great things about Utila is that you can experience great snorkeling right from shore. Lots of of great spots exist- for starters, grab your mask, fins, and snorkel, and head down to our favorites:
Blue Bayou: in front of Coral View Resort. They have a great double story dock, and will charge a minimal ($2 USD) dock fee to use their dock for access to the excellent snorkeling less than 30 yards from their ladder. If you buy food or drinks, the incredibly sweet Ms. Tania will normally waive the dock fee. Coral View is in Blue Bayou, which is about 1/2 mile past the public beach, Chepes. You can also go just a little bit further to the Blue Bayou Dock Complex. Its all pretty fabulous down there.
Off ‘Old Airport’, by Sandstone Apartment, East of town: Nice walk off, though you’ll want to go behind the building, as it can be a bit “urchin-y” directly out front. You’ll see dive buoys, which actually go along the whole stretch of the “old airport”. Go over the bridge and continue past Bando Beach. The Sandstone Apartments are painted pink.
South Shore: Most folks won’t see much of South Shore, as its boat access only, but for the few visitors who rent houses on this side (or stay at one of the all-inclusive resorts, Laguna Beach, Deep Blue Dive Resort, or Utopia Beach Resort and Spa), will have fantastic options for snorkeling right out their front door. Literally lined with dive sites, the entire South shore has a fabulous wall running along its entire front and it is not uncommon to see eagle rays, turtles and even sea horses while snorkeling there.
Neptune’s Restaurant:
If you plan to spend the day at Neptune’s Restaurant at Coral Beach Village (FREE Boat pick-up hourly beginning at 9:00am daily at their dock in Blue Bayou which is located just past the Palms and just before the driveway for Coral View Dive Centre- phone: + (504) 9512-8095 return boats on the half hour until 7:00pm), be SURE to bring your snorkel gear or plan to rent some at the restaurant as the snorkeling from the end of Neptune’s dock is spectacular with access to four dive sites and the fabulous South Shore Reef-possible to see turtles, octopus, rays and eels! It is certainly a snorkel that shouldn’t be missed!