Hello Pete2.
Utila is BY FAR, cheaper. There are tons of schools and VERY cheap hotels and lots of international young folks who are looking to meet other international young folks and screw. There is some nice coral, and a very laid back vibe. Everyone speaks English. As a learner, there is no better place to learn diving than Utila.
Roatan is FAR FAR FAR more organized.....There is FAR FAR FAR more to do....The Island is FAR FAR FAR bigger.....The coral is FAR FAR FAR more pristine. The prices reflect this. If you are a vacationer and want to learn diving and have a good time and not live in a cold water flat, Roatan is the place to go. The community is a vacation community, however. This means, for the most part, couples. Less chance to make that spur-of-the-moment connection. The diving is way better, but the prices to learn it are higher.
For a learner who might want to just hang about and chill. We are talking Utila all the way. There are twenty dive shops on the island. They vay in price. Let me warn you off the one immediately to the left as you get off the dock. It's behind Henderson's Grocery. Very nice folk, but it is low rent as they come. I think the joint may be called Paradise.
GLOT
D
