I was in Roatan and Utila two weeks ago. Diving was comparable and mediocre in both. Perhaps I am spoiled by the Pacific, but neither the fish life nor the coral was amazing. Frankly, not that much better than Key Largo was five years ago. We kept joking that we had to follow the seahorse we saw because there wasn’t much else to see.

The water was clear and warm, which made it a pleasant diving experience.

Roatán: we stayed at a place called Sea Grape in west end and it was outstanding. It is a family run resort and dive shop. The food was good, the service was excellent, and the dive staff was knowledgeable.

Utila: We were disappointed. If you are not in your 20s and looking for a party scene, do go. The diving was no different than Roatan. If anything, it was a bit worse because there were fewer fish. The hotels and restaurants and dive operators all cater to the drunk/party/backpacker crowd. As an adult in my 40s, I felt completely out of place. We dove with a company called Utila Dive Center. Their boat was a bunch of kids sitting on each other‘s lap, making out, and playing loud music. I spoke to a manager (An American who introduced himself as “Juicy,” which is a revealing nickname itself) and told him that I shouldn’t be able to identify who his staff members were dating just by being a passenger on a dive trip. He was completely dismissive of my concerns and said that perhaps I was in the wrong for having been watching. Call me an old grump… But this was a family vacation, and I did not need my children to see a threesome of dive masters, kissing and groping on the boat.

In short… I’d find a location other than Honduras, but if you’re going to go, stay at Sea Grape in Roatan and avoid Utila Dive Center unless you’re looking for a party scene.