Gap Year Scuba Diving | Utila Variety Learn to Dive

Utila Variety Learn to Dive
Utila, Honduras

Last updated: 05 March 2013

This programme has been designed to introduce divers to a variety of diving experiences. Core PADI courses form the basis of the programme whilst specialist areas such as wreck diving, marine ecology and underwater photography enhance the experience and introduce students to other exciting areas of diving.It is designed for beginners as well as students who are qualified up to Advanced Open Water level.

Individuals who join this programme should want to learn to dive – PADI courses up to Rescue Diver are included. The programme also introduces students to other areas of diving so that they can experience a range of marine subjects and decide what areas interest them most.

It’s a versatile programme with lots of different areas of learning and diving.

Essentials

Country:	Utila, Honduras
Meals:	No meals. Eat out or cook in apartment. Support local businesses.
Trip duration	2 to 4 weeks
Suitability	Beginners, Open Water and Advanced Divers
Getting there:	London - Houston - San Pedro Sula - Utila

What diving courses are availble to you?

Please click the course name for more information about that particular course.

Details and Itinerary

Programme content and guideline itinerary

The programme runs for up to 4 weeks and includes a range of modules. The duration of your trip is largely dependent on how much diving you choose to do.

Topic 1: Learning to dive

The programme starts with the PADI Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses.

The Open Water course is the first certifiable PADI course and it is the prerequisite course for any further training – everyone has to do it! It teaches you about the fundamentals of scuba diving through classroom study, confined water training sessions and 4 open water dives.
The Advanced Open Water course is more fun (mainly because you’ve built-up some confidence in the water) and introduces you to core skills such as underwater navigation and buoyancy control. There’s more adventure diving in this course than the Open Water course and it allows students to further-develop their skills over the remainder of the programme.

If you’re already qualified - don’t worry! We’ll get you on a refresher course (scuba review) and back in the water for some fun dives whilst the others are learning.

Topic 2: Advanced recreational diving qualifications

Now that everyone is trained to Advanced Open Water level you begin to develop diving skills further. Training is focused on first aid (EFR course) and rescue skills (Rescue Diver course) for the first part whilst in the second part you learn about diving with more oxygen – enriched air (Nitrox Diver course). Full details about these courses are available in the handbook.

Topic 3: Marine ecology on coral reefs

This module focuses on marine ecology and the marine environment. It is designed increase your awareness when diving but to also introduce you to marine ecology. You may actually like this subject area and decide to progress your diving with a marine conservation / ecology course at a later date.

The course itself will teach you about fringing coral reefs and some of the organisms found in each of the six zones. You will learn how to identify specific coral reef zones and start to understand why some species are more abundant in some areas than others. You will discover some of the most common behaviours observed in coral reef organisms, understand why scientific names of coral reef species are important, and begin to understand the process by which fringing reefs, barrier reefs and atolls are formed.

It’s designed to be an introductory level course. The skills you acquire can be put to good use on virtually every dive on a reef and it will help you locate certain species whilst diving through your understanding of the different zones.

Topic 4: Wreck diving and underwater photography

These subjects introduce you to two very popular areas of diving – wrecks and photography! Be prepared for some large wrecks and plenty of photo opportunities! Diving on wrecks and taking pictures underwater requires additional skills and in this part of the programme you learn how to penetrate wrecks safely through the PADI Wreck Diver speciality course and take good pictures underwater through the PADI Digital Underwater Photography course.

Topic 5: Recreational diving
Around all the learning there is recreational FUN diving! Grab your dive kit, jump on the boat and get out there exploring the reefs and wrecks! Utila offers a wonderful variety of underwater adventures. The reefs are packed with life and the corals are in pristine condition. It is not uncommon for divers to play with manta rays, swim with dolphins and gasp with wonder as the biggest fish in the sea, the incredible whaleshark, goes by!

Time to chill out

When you're not diving there is plenty of time to relax, chill out, swim or enjoythe vibrant nightlife Utila has to offer.

While the favored location depends on one's mood during the week, Friday night offers live music at the Bundu Cafe and later regularly sees a large crowd at Utila's infamous nightclub, Bar in the Bush, located a ten-minute walk from the centre of town. This spacious nightclub with an attached volleyball court has an unusually loose festive atmosphere, with a mixed variety of people enjoying the grooving music. The rest of the week sees people at Coco Locos, Tranquila Bar and Treetanic the most popular bars in Utila. Tourists and locals alike meet here for sunset drinks after a hard day's diving in Utila, but as the sun goes down the tempo picks up at these bars.

Itinerary

The itinerary varies according to your dive level. There's no set format and we like to mix things up a little! It's up to you how your week is organised and we'll run the training how you want to do things...within reason!

Included and Not Included

A guide to what you see and what you get!

Full details of exact inclusions, exclusions and local payments will be sent to you when you request a quotation. As a general guideline you can expect the following:

Included

Meet and greet upon arrival in Utila, appartment accommodation, PADI Open Water Course*, PADI Advanced Open Water Course*, PADI EFR Course*, PADI Rescue Diver Course*, PADI EANx Course*, Marine Ecology programme*, PADI Wreck Diving course + experiences*, Digital Underwater Photography course*, recreational diving, full equipment hire (excl. dive computer), all PADI materials and crewpaks for all courses (as required), all recreational PADI course fees (as required), all conservation learning materials and workbook (as required), local representative for support, GYD T-shirt, 24 hour UK support, tanks, weights and air.
* As selected by you

Not Included

International and domestic flights (we can arrange / quote if desired), meals, alcoholic and soft drinks, personal spending money, vaccinations, airport departure taxes and visa (free for UK nationals).

Extra Information

A few things you should know and trip downloads

Guideline Pricing Information

All prices are per person and exclude flights unless otherwise stated. The guideline prices shown are designed to provide you with an indication of how much to budget for your trip. You need to be aware that there are a number of factors which can influence the price; these include the duration of trip, the time of year, exchange rates, board basis and the amount of diving you require. For an accurate price you must submit a quote request.

Accommodation

We sleep all customers in private or shared apartments (max two per apartment). They are situated near to the dive centre and they are secure and well maintained.

Flights

Fly from London to USA (Houston/Miami). From there take a flight to San Pedro Sula followed by a flight to Utila.

Requirements

- Over 17 years of age
- Able to swim 200m
- Complete PADI medical form prior to departure (we will send one to you)

Dive Training

There are quite a few courses for you to choose from. Simply select the courses you wish to do and we'll create an ideal gap year trip for you!

PADI Materials

All PADI courses include PADI materials.

PADI Fees

All PADI courses include PADI fees where required.

What next?

Happy with what you have seen and read? To get an exact price please click the 'tailor-made button' (located on the 'prices, dates and booking' tab) to request a quotation as this trip is tailor-made. Following the link will open our online quotation system. Simply follow the steps and make your selections. A formal quotation will be sent to you via e-mail once we have received your request.

Prices, Booking and Dates

Guideline prices, trip dates and how to book!

Guideline Price Table

Request a Quotation

Current Dive Level	As a guide...
Current Dive Level	Duration	Price
Beginner	1 - 4 weeks	From £635From £635 for 1 week with Open Water and Advanced courses.
Open Water	1 - 4 weeks	From £670From £670 for 10 days with Advanced Open Water and 1 week of fun diving
Advanced	1 - 4 weeks	From £390From just £390 for 1 week of fun diving.
Rescue Diver	1 - 4 weeks	From £390From just £390 for 1 week of fun diving.

Booking a tailor-made trip

This trip is tailor-made. Please to start customising your own trip. Our quotation system is easy to use and it allows you to get an idea of price according to your dive level. If you wish to book then you must complete the quotation form, add your details and we will e-mail you a formal quotation with all the booking details. You can also call us on 0845 257 3292 to discuss this trip and to book a place.

Booking Instructions

Step 1: This trip is tailor-made! Request a quote so that we can check availability and provide an accurate price based on your travel dates and diving requirements.
Step 2: We will review your request. A quote will be sent to your e-mail address with a link to follow should you decide to book.
Step 3: If you wish to proceed with the booking; follow the link in the e-mail and pay the deposit for the trip. Please note that quotes have an expiry date.
Step 4: You will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your booking request along with login details so that you can manage your booking.
Step 5: We will send you all your travel documents and be at-hand to answer any questions relating to your trip.

Trip Dates

You choose! Pick a date that fits-in with your travel plans and leave the rest to us to arrange for you.

Financial Protection

TTA Your money is secure with us! We have TTA Financial protection under licence Q0621. The protection means that you can book your holiday secure in the knowledge that the Travel Trust Association will protect you in the unlikely event of a us becoming insolvent. Should we for any reason financially fail or cease trading, the Travel Trust Association will liaise with the suppliers to ensure that your holiday goes ahead unaffected. If for any reason this is not possible, the TTA will administer a claim for a refund of money that you have paid to us for your holiday. Read more about how your money is protected.

Deposit and Balance Payments

We request a £250 deposit to secure a place. All balance payments are due 60 days before the start of the trip. If you book within 60 days of departure then full payment must be made at the time of booking.