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Dive Review of Laguna Beach Resort in
Honduras/Utila

Laguna Beach Resort, Dec, 2013,

by Mona Cousens, CA, US (Contributor Contributor 12 reports). Report 7519.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 5 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments The first thing I have to say about Laguna Beach Resort is that they have sand fleas and mosquitos. The bites are vicious and can stay with you for a week or longer. I also have to say that only about 50% of the people here are having this problem (they are immune for whatever reason). I am not immune and even though I have worn DEET religiously while I have been here, they still bite me. Fortunately, in the office they have a salve that I discovered after a week of suffering. The bites I received after that time never had time to “get me” as long as I applied the creme. I am happier now.

That being said, if you do decide to brave the bugs and come here, it is a nice place to hang your hat for a week like most people or two like I did.

The dive operation is well run and even with 28 divers checking in on the same day, the dive manager, Adam, obviously read all our paperwork closely and filled our boat, one of three, with 12 very experienced divers and we had a lovely first week. He put the newer divers together as well with a dive guide that could help them as they needed. Everyone was happy with this arrangement.

Our boat was largest of the three. There was an onboard head, ample room to suit up, a flying bridge where we could sit for the ride to the dive sites and a very friendly boat captain named Wagner who loved to have the company and would tell you stories of the islands and various houses we would pass on the way. The run to the sites ranged from 5 minutes to 45 minutes depending on which side you were doing. We always had calm water, no current to speak of, and for the most part, clear clean water.

The dive sites at first looked all the same to me. However, as the week went on and the second week was half over, I realized just how unique each one was. Each site has different things to see. One has seahorses, another has neck crabs and decorator crabs. We saw the toadfish on many occasions. Some sites have giant green morays which have been fed and are therefore very friendly. There are also some very decent wall dives on another. Adam our dive master did try to give us a varied taste of the island dive sites. There are so many to choose from that there is no need to repeat sites over the two weeks unless you specifically request that. At the end of the two weeks, I could easily see how he was seduced to stay there for many years after working in the diving industry in other parts of the world.

The one thing missing from nearly all of the sites was fish. Sometimes we would see a trumpet, filefish or queen angel and ask... well, where did you come from ? There were some sites where there were schooling fish. Mostly blue tangs and sometimes jacks and some barracuda.
We did see some lion fish which are causing havoc in many parts of the Caribbean, but really only maybe 5 or 6 during the entire two weeks. I hear they are killing them, probably when no tourist divers are around. Most people who come here are not well traveled other than throughout the Caribbean and are thrilled to see a lion fish.

The corals are relatively healthy and we saw some species growing here which surprised us. The reefs are quite pretty with all the soft corals and fans.

The dive schedule is easy: out at 8am for two tanks, back by 11:30 to 12:30 depending on where you went, and out again at 2 or 2:30. Night dives are scheduled twice a week on Monday and Thursday and are included in your package.

The food is pedestrian. Basic fare, sometimes too deep fried for my liking. There is chicken and fish with the major part being on the chicken. They also served pork chops one evening and thin steaks another. For lunch you may have hamburgers or spaghetti.
Breakfast was different each day. Sometimes eggs, one day pancakes or french toast, etc. There was always the continental option set up with cereal, toast etc. The staff is very friendly and will work with you if you need vegetarian fare or something special.

There is wi-fi in the dining room so you can keep in touch with home.

We went into town one afternoon and wandered around which was fun. It was also the only place I did not get a bug bite. We even sat at a beach bar and had a beer and watched the sunset, and still no bite for me in town. I talked to some guests who went horseback riding and another who rented an ATV to do a tour of sorts. There are lots of expats here and many restaurants and lively bars. We went one night to town and enjoyed the treehouse bar at the Jade Seahorse (a must see. There is nowhere like this place in all the world). Getting into town is an adventure as well. You must take a water taxi from the resort. This is included in your price. Just ask someone in the office for your desired time and they will be at the dock for you. It is about a 5 minute ride across the lagoon. At the town dock, you must also take a taxi again which is a three wheeled covered vehicle. The staff also organized this as well. It is not included in your package and cost 6.00 per person round trip. You must give the driver a return pick up time and location to get back to the town dock and to meet your return boat ride. We did this twice with no problems whatsoever.

For those not wishing to wander around so much, there is a pool at the resort with a lovely view across the bay. The water is refreshing and welcome as there is no swimming off the beach or from your lovely deck which has a dock jutting out into the water. It is just too shallow. They also have lounge chairs scattered around the beach with thick comfortable cushions, but beware, that is where the bugs will get you !!
Websites Laguna Beach Resort   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Solomon, Australia, Fiji, Alor, Lembeh, all Caribbean, etc.
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, rainy, cloudy, dry Seas calm, no currents
Water Temp 78-80°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 5
Water Visibility 50-150 Ft/ 15-46 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions We dove our own profile
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish N/A
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments You carried your camera back and forth to your room and took care of business there.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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