I spent two weeks living and diving in Utila, Honduras, and it's quickly become one of my favorite scuba diving destinations in the world.

Located in the Bay Islands of Honduras, to the west of Roatan, Utila sits on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and has over 100 named dive sites despite being less than 10 miles wide.

The island is known for dramatic wall diving, impressive shipwrecks, and being one of the most affordable dive destinations in the Western hemisphere.

In this guide I'll cover the best dive sites, which operators to use, where to stay, and everything else you need to plan a scuba diving trip to Utila.

The Best Dive Sites in Utila

Ted's Point

Ted's Point was one of my standout dives in Utila, and I ended up diving it twice.

The first visit was a night dive. In Utila, there's a biological phenonomen the locals call a "string of pearls."

At a certain point in the dive you shut all your lights off and watch these beads of light flash through the water column.

It's nearly impossible to capture on camera but one of the more memorable things I've seen underwater.

We also encountered multiple octopus as they're nocturnal, so a night dive gives you a much higher chance of finding them.

The second dive was a day visit, which gave me a better look at the site itself. One of the main points of interest here is a sunken sailboat.

According to the captain, the owner left the island for a couple months and came back to find it completely stripped.

His response was to sink it and turn it into an artificial reef.

Big Rock

Big Rock lives up to its name, as there's several large boulders scattered across the site, all covered in coral at varying depths.

The site is close to shore but that part of the island isn't accessible by road, so you need a boat to get there.

Shore diving isn't really an option in Utila.

Eagle Ray Alley

Despite the name, I didn't catch any eagle rays on this dive but the site itself was great.

There are tons of swim-throughs, most sitting at 20–25 feet max, which means this is also doable as a snorkel or freedive.

I spotted a well-camouflaged flounder and watched a classic goatfish and amberjack pairing — goatfish sifting through the sand while the amberjack picks off whatever they disturb.

The Haliburton Shipwreck

The Haliburton is Utila's main wreck and one of the best advanced dives on the island.

It's a cargo ship sitting at 100 feet, close to Utila Town, and most operators run trips here regularly.

Don't expect military artifacts — this is a working freighter — but the dive community has left their mark inside. I'll leave it at that. Look closely when you're in there.

You'll need a Wreck Diver certification to penetrate with most operators. Same requirement I ran into on the Odyssey in Roatan.

Pretty Bush

A longer wall dive that drops to at least 100 feet at certain points.

I had a camera issue on this dive so no footage, but the wall itself was impressive.

Utila's walls form from tectonic activity createing dramatic drop-offs very close to shore, making the island popular with tech divers.

Sites I Didn't Make — But Heard Great Things About

The north side of the island came up repeatedly.

Conditions there are wind-dependent so I never made it out, but locals say the walls are less predictable and more varied than the south side.

If north side diving is a priority, speak to multiple operators in advance and let them know you want to go there, one might be running a trip on agood-weather day.

Where to Stay in Utila

Utila Town is really the only base.

The island is small enough, less than 10 miles across and you can do a full loop by motorcycle or ATV in about an hour.

Utila has a strong backpacker and budget diver vibe.

It's one of the easiest places in the world to meet like-minded divers, and solo travel works well here.

If you're coming with a partner who isn't a diver or want a more resort-style experience, Roatan is probably the better fit.

Dive Operators

I dove primarily with Underwater Vision on this trip.

A few options worth knowing: Utila Dive Center, Underwater Vision, and the College of Diving all have solid reputations on the island.

One other thing I thought was odd is that lionfish hunting requires a specific certification from operators here.

Whether that's a money grab or a legitimate safety requirement is up for debate but plan for it if you want to hunt.

Water Conditions & What to Wear

Water temperature holds at a consistent 80°F / 27°C year-round.

I dove in a 3mm for every dive but you could get away with a rash guard.

Visibility regularly hit 100 feet.

Some of the best I've seen in the Caribbean outside of Cozumel.

Currents were minimal on every dive and there's almost no drift diving here, which makes for relaxed, easy diving. Most wall dives you spend the first half going one direction, and the second haf of doubling back.

Utila has a rainy and dry season but diving runs year-round. Come in the dry season if you want fewer rain days on the surface.

Getting to Utila

The most common route is flying into San Pedro Sula or Roatan, then catching a ferry to Utila. The ferry is straightforward but can get rough — I felt it on the return leg and I don't typically get seasick.

There is a small airport on the island with local flights if you want to skip the ferry.

Cash is essential. Card is not widely accepted in Utila. Come with enough cash or plan to use ATMs. Don't count on being able to pay by card at all dive operators, restaurants, or accommodations.