Weather

Average Temperatures on Utila:

Daytime temperatures on Utila really only vary by a few degrees throughoutthe year, and usually range in the low to mid 80sº Fahrenheit (F), which is about 27-29 degrees Celsius(C).  In other words, leave your winter jackets at home!

Night-time temperatures on Utila are a few degrees cooler than daytime; in the winter they average in the low 70’sº F (22-23º C) and in the summer in the low 80’sº (27-28º C)

Water temperatures on Utila are also warmer (low to mid 80ºs F) in the summer and early fall, and cooler (high 70ºs F) yet often calmer in the winter and spring.

The hottest months of the year on Utila are generally summer months (May-ish to September-ish) when temperatures can reach low 90º F (33-34ºC)   A quick jump in the ocean will keep you cool and scuba diving keeps your internal temperature cool too!

Storm Patterns for Utila and the Bay Islands:

One of the most comprehensive sites for tracking tropical storms and hurricanes is the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) 

Hurricane Season and Storms in Utila:

Hurricane-Watch Season:
Hurricanes are very rare in the Bay Islands.  However,  the official hurricane season for the Atlantic Ocean is from June 1 to Nov 30, when over 96% of hurricane activity throughout the Atlantic and Caribbean occurs. Lucky for us, the Bay Islands are generally considered “below” the hurricane belt, and folks consider our hurricane-watch season to be much shorter, from the middle of September through the beginning of November.

The Rainy Season:
Generally, the rainy season runs from late September through January and often into the beginning of February.  That doesn’t mean it’s going to rain the non-stop from September to February but if you want to bet your odds on avoiding rain, we suggest coming at a different time.  Dive boats run year round, and rain doesn’t slow them down (unless accompanied by high winds which is rare).  As long as it’s calm out, the rain doesn’t significantly affect underwater visibility unless it has been raining very heavy, or for multiple days which can cause a decrease in visibility which takes no more than a day or two to clear up.

Low Season:
Not surprisingly, the rainy season and hurricane-watch season together make up what is considered the Utila “low season”, which is generally considered to be Sept 1-December 15. 

The island sees a dip in tourism during this time, primarily due to weather but also due to the general patterns of travelers (i.e, students back to school, no holiday breaks for families, etc.). The upside of this is that there are often discounts to be had. Lots of folks actually like to travel during this low season as they can get better flights, better room rates, and avoid any crowds during travel.