The Caribbean in May conjures up images of sandy white beaches, sunshine, warm tropical water and beautiful azure skies. This week was no different. Each day began with a two-tank boat dive to one of the nearby fringing reefs. The aquatic sightings were early and often as divers quickly spotted two seahorses hiding shyly in a sea fan. Most of the divemasters had never seen one in the area, so the trip began with a fortuitous first day.

Visibility was good most days and exceeded 80 feet in the back reef zone. The group was very lucky on the third day when they spotted several schools of reef squid, hawksbill turtles and eagle rays.  During one of the surface intervals, while combing the water for whale sharks, Kathy spotted a pod of pilot whales and the group was able to snorkel with these amazing creatures. What a rush!

After the boat dives, the group relaxed by the pool, lounged in hammocks on the beach or took the fairy to town.  The resort also affords great shore diving and two divers completed their master diver certifications and another 3 their advanced open water. On one training dive off the shore, two students spotted an octopus and hawksbill turtle in less than fifteen feet of water.

All in all, Utila was very gracious to our group and we had an excellent vacation.