Roatan and Utila March - April 2022

Tell us your tale of coming nose-to-nose with a 6 gill [--this big--], or about your vacation to turquoise warm waters. Share your adventures here!
Post Reply
User avatar
Gdog
NWDC Moderator
NWDC Moderator
Posts: 3984
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:41 pm

Roatan and Utila March - April 2022

Post by Gdog »

Arlene and I spent a month on Roatan to celebrate retirement. We love both the topside laid back quaint vibe, and the diving is really quite decent. Here are some shots above and below. Jesse and Marci were able to join us for 10 days, we had a blast.

IMG_20220304_141716.jpg
IMG_20220307_095301.jpg
Yellowhead Jawfish.jpg
Wire Coral Shrimp.jpg
White Banded Seahorse.jpg
IMG_20220414_090957.jpg
IMG_20220414_084125.jpg
IMG_20220413_131224.jpg
IMG_20220330_163436.jpg
IMG_20220323_091856.jpg
IMG_20220318_181646.jpg
Spinyhead Blenny.jpg
Solitary Gorgonian Hydroid2.jpg
Shortfinger Neck Crab.jpg
IMG_20220318_181627.jpg
IMG_20220318_114501.jpg
IMG_20220318_113557.jpg
Longsnout Seahorse.jpg
Jesse.jpg
Fringed Filefish.jpg
Fireworm2.jpg
IMG_20220318_091701.jpg
IMG_20220317_204438.jpg
IMG_20220317_171914.jpg
IMG_20220316_182722.jpg
IMG_20220310_145252.jpg
IMG_20220307_182124.jpg
IMG_20220304_143844.jpg
Eagle Ray on the Reef.jpg
Cryptic Teardrop Crab.jpg
Crested Pipefish.jpg
Arlene on the Wall2.jpg
At the end of March, we headed to Utila and will post that report next.
User avatar
Gdog
NWDC Moderator
NWDC Moderator
Posts: 3984
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:41 pm

Re: Roatan and Utila March - April 2022

Post by Gdog »

So on the last day of March, we jumped on the Utila Dream Ferry, and headed to Utila for our first time. The ride takes about an hour. We stayed at an Airbnb, Paradise Regained, which is about 1/2 mile out of Utila town, which was an easy walk and a very peaceful place. We traded the jungle for more of an open sandy spot. We stayed on Utila for 2 weeks then took the ferry back to Roatan and caught our flight home. We enjoyed Utila as well. It was a bit hotter, the diving is a bit different. Most of the dive ops there have many dive instructors in training, seems to be a great spot to learn how to be a DM. More of a backpacker island, and there are no cars there. You get around on motorcycle, quad, golf cart, or tuk tuk. The tuk tuk will run you about 60 lempira or a little over 2 bucks US to go from town to home. Really kinda cool, and painless unless you are in a hurry. We dove with Tankd Dive Center, all their gear was new, the boat was new, very very good experience. We hoped to find a whale shark, but struck out. Here are some of my pics from Utila.

IMG_20220413_101311.jpg
IMG_20220413_101221.jpg
IMG_20220413_094857.jpg
IMG_20220412_180342.jpg
IMG_20220412_173954.jpg
Pedersen Shrimp Posing.jpg
Orange Christmas Tree Worm.jpg
IMG_20220412_080414.jpg
IMG_20220410_180217.jpg
IMG_20220408_120157.jpg
Nurse Shark.jpg
Lionfish Smile.jpg
Juvenile Trumpetfish.jpg
IMG_20220405_172912.jpg
IMG_20220403_170947.jpg
IMG_20220402_130251.jpg
IMG_20220402_124925.jpg
Hamner's Tritonia Nudibranch.jpg
Garden Eel.jpg
Arlene on the Dive Boat.jpg
IMG_20220331_172543.jpg
IMG_20220331_163408.jpg
IMG_20220331_163404.jpg
IMG_20220331_160928.jpg
IMG_20220331_151423.jpg
download_20220411_173900.jpg
Eagle Ray Feeding.jpg
Arrow Crab and Pedersen Shrimp.jpg
Arlene with Coral Fans.jpg

We enjoyed Utila and would visit again.
User avatar
ScubaJess
NWDC Moderator
NWDC Moderator
Posts: 2681
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2014 3:56 pm

Re: Roatan and Utila March - April 2022

Post by ScubaJess »

Beautiful pics and fantastic report it looks so fun and the food looks delicious!

So nice to see you and Arlene smiling so big :)
I love that last wide-angle shot the best!!

I hope you can join us at ThThTh soon! We miss you tons!
Happy Retirement!
:) Jess
Live Long And Prosper!!!

Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions. :luv: :partydance: :eric: :taco:
User avatar
YellowEye
I've Got Gills
Posts: 3234
Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2006 8:08 am

Re: Roatan and Utila March - April 2022

Post by YellowEye »

Very cool! I especially like the spinyhead blenny, the nurse shark and that last shot! Bravo!
And you'll have to tell us about that food!!!
Visit pnwdiving.com for viz reports, slack planning, galleries and more!
User avatar
Nwbrewer
I've Got Gills
Posts: 4620
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 10:59 am

Re: Roatan and Utila March - April 2022

Post by Nwbrewer »

Looks like an awesome trip!
"Screw "annual" service,... I get them serviced when they break." - CaptnJack (paraphrased)


"you do realize you're supposed to mix the :koolaid: with water and drink it, not snort the powder directly from the packet, right? :smt064 " - Spatman
User avatar
Gdog
NWDC Moderator
NWDC Moderator
Posts: 3984
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:41 pm

Re: Roatan and Utila March - April 2022

Post by Gdog »

Thanks guys. It was a great trip!
User avatar
Jan K
I've Got Gills
Posts: 5249
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2006 5:02 pm

Re: Roatan and Utila March - April 2022

Post by Jan K »

What a way to start your retirement! Why didn't I think of it many years ago?
As always, great photography to bring back for us to enjoy.
http://JanKocian.smugmug.com

I take photos because I like it, not because I'm good at it. :) by Unknown
User avatar
Gdog
NWDC Moderator
NWDC Moderator
Posts: 3984
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:41 pm

Re: Roatan and Utila March - April 2022

Post by Gdog »

Thank you Jan!
KeithBoll
Compulsive Diver
Posts: 310
Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:42 pm

Re: Roatan and Utila March - April 2022

Post by KeithBoll »

Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!
I also just retired and spent a month in the Philippines.
It was a great way to celebrate retirement - and just enjoy/explore a different country.
Love both shots of the eagle rays!

Keith
User avatar
Gdog
NWDC Moderator
NWDC Moderator
Posts: 3984
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:41 pm

Re: Roatan and Utila March - April 2022

Post by Gdog »

Keith, great way to celebrate!
User avatar
Vjw
Extreme Diving Machine
Posts: 409
Joined: Tue Sep 26, 2017 4:38 pm

Re: Roatan and Utila March - April 2022

Post by Vjw »

Awesome pics!!! :joshsmith: :)
User avatar
Scubie Doo
I've Got Gills
Posts: 3027
Joined: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:13 pm

Re: Roatan and Utila March - April 2022

Post by Scubie Doo »

Hell yeah brother! Great work Gdog. So happy I was able to join you out there. Had an amazing time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post Reply