Ecomarine - Gunter's Dive shop - Utila

Gunter’s, right off the Ecomarine dock, is a surprisingly good little house reef. We’ve done dozens of dives here, often just a quick dip between other plans. It’s primarily a sandy bottom, but don't let that fool you. You’ll find patches of turtlegrass that are absolute magnets for macro life. Our favourite finds include the tiny pygmy filefish, swaying gently, perfectly camouflaged. Keep your eyes peeled for chain morays tucked into small crevices, their patterns really pop against the sand. We’ve seen barracuda cruise by in the deeper sections, and the grunts here are particularly bold, almost posing for photos. It’s a fantastic site for new divers to practice buoyancy without the pressure of a boat dive, or for photographers looking to spend an hour focusing on small subjects. The visibility can vary, but generally, it’s clear enough to spot the cardinal cones making their way across the sand. Head out around mid-morning after the freediving courses have wrapped up, and you’ll often have the place to yourself.

Location
Utila, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
16.097063, -86.894910

Marine Protected Area: Sistema de Humedales de la Isla de Utila

Best Time to Dive in Utila

The warmest water temperatures in Utila occur in September, averaging 30.0°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.3°C
  • February: 27.1°C
  • March: 27.3°C
  • April: 27.9°C
  • May: 28.6°C
  • June: 29.2°C
  • July: 29.2°C
  • August: 29.7°C
  • September: 30.0°C
  • October: 29.9°C
  • November: 29.1°C
  • December: 28.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Utila

Nearest Dive Centres to Ecomarine - Gunter's Dive shop

Marine Life in Utila

Home to 214 recorded species including 173 reef fish, 18 hard corals, 10 other, 6 sharks & rays, 2 jellyfish, 2 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Ecomarine - Gunter's Dive shop

Based on average water temperature of 28.6°C, currents 21 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories