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Utila
Whale Shark
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The island
of Utila lies 18 miles to the west of Roatan and is the smallest
of the 3 main islands. Utila is the closest to the Honduran mainland
and is also the flattest of the Bay Islands. The main and only
town is called East Harbour, but everyone just says "Utila
Town". It's population of about 2,000 inhabitants are 95%
descendants from the British "Scurvy" Pirates and proclaims
to have dens of buried treasure hidden in caves on Pumpkin Hill.
Infamous
throat cutting buccaneers as Edward Teach, alias Blackbeard, Henry
Morgan & Cavendish all left their seal here.
Our adventure
begins arriving at Utila International Airport after only a 10
minute direct flight from Roatan. Here we are met by Utilian Captain
Hank who kindly puts us in his "limos" for a short ride
to Utila Town. Here we meet Troy and Edith, our hosts for the
day. "Gear Up" is the call as we board our 42' dive
cruiser. "Tally Ho The Fox" shouts the Captain (actually
it should be Whale Shark). We set off rounding Pumpkin Hill Point,
the highest point on Utila, on our way to Utila's famous Turtle
Harbour - known for it's 3,000 foot trench. Eyes are peeled, breathlessly
waiting for the Great White Whale Shark to appear! Rumor has it
that he is 70' long, an albino shark. After a world class, spectacular
dive and snorkeling we continue our cruise around the island.
Sighting many Utilian Cayes, always on edge that at any moment
the great cousin of Moby Dick may surface.
The dive
at Turtle Harbour to say the least is spectacular with vertical
300 feet with breath taking overhangs taking you to the abyss.
Look out for Turtles.
On board
again as we depart to our exclusive private resort on a pristine
caye, surrounded by beautiful white sand. There's world class
snorkeling just yards from the beach. Divers gear up for a 5 minute
ride to the wall for their second dive. "Will he Appear?"
We ask. "What do we do if he does?" Someone asks. Then
it's time to relax and enjoy a great gourmet lunch on the beach.
Of course the lunch is washed down with ice cold beer and sodas.
At the resort, check out Edith's classy gift store for whale shark
T-shirts and caps. Back on board our cruiser for a short ride
to East Harbour for shopping and sightseeing. You'll love the
town, Blackbeard did. Then it's time for our good-byes to Utila
and back to the airport for our short 10 minute flight back home
to Roatan. Thank you for joining us! Happy Diving.
This story
was written by the infamous Kaptain Kaos, modern day pirate, brigand
and story teller. The Legend Continues!
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