How many of you have heard of Utila? If you’re like me, I haven’t really until I took up freediving a year ago and started following social media posts of fellow freedive enthusiasts. I’ve seen some photos and I was hooked.

After I got my SSI Level 1 freedive certification, I started planning for a trip to this exotic place to get my Advanced certification and then continue on from there to other parts of Latin America.

 

I dreamt of this adventure a year ago and started a savings plan to finance my trip. It helps that I’m savvy (or at least I think I am) with the stock market and that I’m able to parlay my savings with some stock investments. Yes – as a GenXer, I should have saved something by now, right? I recommend you start doing the same if you haven’t yet. At the end of the day, the stock market is the best place to invest your extra income. Also, I’m aware that I no longer have the patience to stay with 5 other people in a dorm-style hostel, so I needed some extra funds to try to make this adventure a little bit more comfortable without breaking the bank.

 

Back to Utila. When I announced that it will be my first stop, loved ones and friends started questioning why Utila? Honduras is in the news lately, the country is in turmoil, people are getting killed. Are you crazy?!? Ah.. no. I’m crazy for craving adventure but I’m not crazy stupid to put myself at risk on purpose.

 

Of course I’ve done my research! I’ve talked to fellow freedivers who have been there before and know people who are living there. I have been assured by people I trust that the island is very safe. In fact the whole Bay Islands in Honduras are completely safe. There’s a whole community of Americans living in one island alone. So folks, never take anything you read or hear from the media at face value. I’m not saying everything is fake news, what I’m saying is have a balanced, questioning perspective. Before you take something as fact, VERIFY it.

 

Remember, danger is subjective. If you’re reading this and live in a major urban area, doesn’t your city/town at least have one area that is considered “dangerous”? Let’s not go too far, how about the entire United States with news of gun killings in its streets every day? Wouldn’t that be dangerous? You get my point. Plus if I listen to all the negativity, I might as well just stay home and feel “safe.”

Utila is nothing but paradise for folks who love the ocean! It’s as beautiful as the photos I’ve seen from friends’ posts, if not better. Utila is one of the smaller islands making up the Bay Islands of Honduras, inhabited by at least 10,000 people. You can tour the island in a tuk-tuk in one day. Access to the island is either via ferry from Roatan (1 hour) or La Ceiba (45 minutes) or via a jumper flight if you’re in a hurry. The ferry service by Utila Dream Ferry is excellent (utilaferry.com). One way fare is around USD30. Once you get to the island, major mode of transportation is via tuk-tuk or you can rent bicycles, golf carts or simply walk. Life is simple here. If you’re the type who wants to be pampered, look elsewhere.

 

 

You won’t enjoy the island if you don’t love the ocean. It’s the main reason you should be here. A haven primarily for learning scuba diving and freediving, it offers newbies and enthusiasts pristine and calm waters, great visibility and tons of soft corals lining up its reefs. It’s one of the best places for advancing your underwater skills as well. Almost zero current. The most relaxing scuba dives I’ve ever experienced in my many years of practicing the sport.

 

 

Top 5 things I love about Utila:

 

• The ocean and its beauty. So calm yet so lush. If you’re an ocean lover like me, nothing could be perfect than being here.

 

• You can be yourself. No judging. You can wear the same clothes every day, walk barefoot, do nothing. No one will judge you. Locals are very respectful and will leave you alone. Everyone knows each other so the island is very safe, quiet and very chill. Having said this, if you behave poorly, you’ll be a pariah.

• Sunsets are amazing. 

 

• Time stands still. It’s a perfect place to decompress if you’re leading a stressful life.

• The locals are beginning to practice a plastic-free policy. Through education and environmental awareness, the local residents have taken it upon themselves to reduce their plastic waste. 

 

So what’s not to like? Paradise has been found! Well…unfortunately, nirvana is elusive. September is the start of their rainy season and the  mosquitoes are in full force. So bring a dollop of insect repellent and oh, I forgot, the sand flies! No wonder I had Bando Beach to myself at sunset. That’s when the pesky flies come out and start biting. Yikes!

Key then is timing!