UTILA NEWS

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-08T09:34:00.000-08:00

Hello from Utila! Despite all the rain we are still managing to get out and do some great diving on the Northside. The weather is meant to be clearing up soon and we're getting more and more bookings for February and March. With a new team on board we are excited about the coming season. Get in touch if you fancy coming to visit!! The Captain Morgans Team.

2009-07-09T21:39:00.000-07:00

UTILA CARNIVAL HAS UNFORTUNATELY BEEN POSTPONED

UTILA CARNIVAL JULY 18TH, 2009

2009-07-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

Famed Reggae songwriter and performer from Kingston Jamaica, Eric Donaldson, is scheduled as Utila Carnival's mail attraction this year. The concert will be free to the public and is planned to be held at Chepas Beach. You don't want to miss this event if you're planning a visit to Central America.

POLITICAL CONTROVERSY IN HONDURAS

2009-07-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

Sunday June 28th President Zelaya was taken from the Presidential Palace by the Military and then transported to Costa Rica by air. The Congress later named Roberto Michiletti as interim President. President Michiletti has vowed that the Presidential elections in November will continue as scheduled. As Head of Congress Michiletti was next in line as President in accordance with the Honduran Constitution.

Zelaya's insistence on a referendum vote which had been ruled as illegal and a violation of the Constitution by both the Honduran Supreme Court and the Congress led to removing him from office. The referendum vote was reputed to be Zelaya's attempt to make changes to the Honduran Constitution in order to stay in power beyond his 4 year term.

Zeleya's association with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has created distrust in the majority of Hondurans as to his motives and fear that Democracy was in danger by Chavez style Socialism. Using the Military to remove Zelaya from power unfortunately has created sympathy by the international community however 70% of Hondurans do not support Zelaya.

Although some countries have issued travel alerts for Honduras tourists continue to arrive to Utila without problems or incident.

NEW WRECK COMING TO UTILA

2009-07-01T07:07:00.000-07:00

The Utila Dive Safety and Environmental Council (UDSEC) purchased a cargo vessel, the Captain Berto, with plans to make a new dive site and help create marine habitat. The permit process is under way and hopefully will be completed soon.

The Captain Berto, previously the "Starfish" for years was the only cargo boat servicing Utila so as a new Wreck Dive she will continue to serve the island. Before we had a passenger ferry it was also the primary transportation for tourists coming to dive. The Starfish would come from La Ceiba every Tuesday afternoon loaded with produce, lumber, and drums of fuel as well as passengers.

Whale Sharks are back!!!

2009-05-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

Whale Sharks have returned once again the waters off the North side of Utila. We're having perfect weather conditions for spotting these gentle giants of the sea. Our customers and staff are having a great time snorkeling with these impressive creatures so if you're into Whale Sharks come see us.

Nobody dives the North Side more, NOBODY!

Shaken...But Not Stirred

2009-05-28T11:47:00.000-07:00

May 28th, 2:25 am Honduras & the Bay Islands experienced a 7.1 earthquake. The USGS placed the epicenter 27 miles Northeast of Roatan and 6.2 miles deep.

Utila experienced no damage other than broken dishes and the like. Electrical service was not interrupted, ferry service continues normally and Scuba diving schedules remain unchanged.

Earth Week Cleanup on the Cays

2009-05-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

In association with Project AWARE’s Dive for Earth Day campaign, Captain Morgan’s Dive Centre organized a series of events to kick off Earth Week on Jewel Cay, Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras. After two dives on the north side of Utila, we returned to Hotel Kayla where we started the preparations for the Dive Masters in Training (DMTs) Endurance Challenge, consisting of a swim test, treading water, snorkel test and a tired diver tow. Our three DMTs, Tini, Nicolette and Sunni did a fantastic job while everyone was cheering them on from our double level dock.

After the competition ended, we were joined by the children from the Richard H Rose School for their cleanup effort; over 30 students participated by donning gloves and filling up garbage bags with litter from the cays. Meanwhile, 15 divers got into their gear, split up into two groups to clean up Jewel Cay Lagoon, the reef just off our dock – it was a coordinated effort, with a kayak following the divers to empty their mesh bags so they can continue their efforts without interruption. The school children were rewarded for their efforts with cake and refreshments before being invited for a Discover Snorkelling experience.

The divers were treated with a BBQ and cold drinks once their hard work was over; we were left with a mountain of garbage to transport back to Utila, and most of all with the satisfaction of doing our small part toward improving our environment in honour of Earth Week. Many thanks to all those involved from the entire Captain Morgan’s team and the residents of the Utila Cays!

NEW INTERNET SERVICE - HARBOUR HOUSE

2008-11-11T13:46:00.000-08:00

We're happy to announce the Utila Cays now have Internet service. Harbor House Restaurant recently opened for business offering not only the best menu around but also Internet service and a gymnasium. Harbor House, the tallest building on the Cays actually overlooks our sundeck so of course they've got a great view.

I tried the Panini with a nice hot Cappuccino and I was quite impressed. The menu includes a nice variety of breakfast items, snacks, deserts, home made ice cream, vegetarian dishes salads, seafood and more.

The atmospere is full of pirate and maratime style items so it fits in perfectly with Captain Morgan's.

Roatan - Power Problems

2008-11-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

The island of Roatan has been experiencing a general strike due to the residents anger due to recent increase in the cost of electrical power.

Several cruise ships have been turned away and are threatening to boycott the island for a period of 5 years. A lack of transportation to island due to the strike is causing major problems and losses to the tourism industry.

If you plan a trip to Roatan we strongly recommend checking on the current situation.

NOTE: We pay double for electrical power here in Utila than Roatan. We would be celebrating rather than rioting if we had their electrical rate!!!

Hurricane Paloma

2008-11-07T10:13:00.000-08:00

We have a newly formed Hurricane named Paloma in the Western Caribbean. It's current track is heading away from the Bay Islands with it's path projected toward the Cayman Islands and Cuba.

The weather here in Utila is actually quite nice and sunny and we don't expect any adverse diving conditions due to Paloma.

Captain Morgan's 14 Year Anniversary!!!

2008-11-07T10:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to Captain Morgan's!!!

We started this dive shop back in 1994 & have kept going strong ever since!

We've had a great time here and looking forward toward the next 14 years!

It's been an Eagle Ray day!

2008-11-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

November 3, 2008

2008-11-03T13:15:00.000-08:00

The Bay Islands are in Rainy Season once again but not to worry we've been diving every day. Our new Divemaster Veronica got to dive with an Eagle Ray at Little Bight today!

Tony who just finished 7th grade here has also become the island's newest PADI Junior Open Water Diver - Congratulation Tony!

The Utila Princess ferry is running again out of La Ceiba but if you're not sure give us a call at 425-3349. Their office is only a few steps away from our office here in downtown Utila.

Snorkel Test!

2008-08-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

We just finished certifying three new Divemasters here at Captain Morgan's. They finished all of their work but still had one final test to take. The final exam involved masks, snorkels, rum, beer, and coke. First the rum and coke through the snorkel. Then clearing the beer out of the mask. Good times had by all. Here's some pics of what we rigged up to do three snorkel tests at once and an after picture of the new Divemasters with some of our staff.

Whale Shark off the North Side!

2008-08-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

The dive boat was on the way to our first dive yesterday on the North Side and we spotted the tell tale signs of a whale shark: birds circling and a boil of jumping fish. We headed out to deeper water towards it and strapped on fins and snorkels. Luis, our Captain (one of the best on the island), spotted it and we all jumped in. It was at least 7 metres (21 feet) long. Swam with the whale shark three different times, each time hopping in and then jumping back onto the boat to chase after. Great rush. Third time we actually had to move out of the way because it was heading directly at us. All the divers we had out there are going to remember this for a while. Check out the video.

UTILA WEATHER & NEWS

2008-08-16T12:51:00.000-07:00

August 16th, 2008

Today's Forcast: HOT & HUMID - Great diving conditions!!

2008-08-15T15:14:00.000-07:00

Weather Forecast for Utila, 15 August:

Hot & Dry - PERFECT Diving conditions!

Current Events:

Utila's ferry is running 1 trip per day at the moment so if you're on your way to the island departure time from La Ceiba is 4:00 pm.

The Utila Cays are enjoying a pleasant east wind which keeps them mostly bug free most of the year.

Captain Morgan's congratulates 2 new PADI Open Water divers, Lana and Catreona.