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Monochrome image of scuba divers exploring the depths of the ocean.
📷 Alexey Demidov · Pexels

Utila — Black Hill

Intermediate reef dive on Utila's Black Hill, 12–30m deep, with consistent year-round access and strong community video documentation.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
Depth
12–30 m
BoatOnly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Depth
12–30 m
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
© OpenStreetMap · CARTO
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
10.7 kn
Wave
0.52 m
Water
29.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: ENE (23%)
Now: ENE (73°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.25m

Today: High 03:00 (+0.23m), Low 10:00 (+0.07m)

+0.3 m+0.1 m
▲ 03:00 · +0.23m ▼ 10:00 · +0.07m ▲ 16:00 · +0.26m ▼ 22:00 · +0.12m Now +0.2m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV8.4 · very high Air PM2.56 · good 05:36 17:46
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 13.8 0.66 8 4mm
09-19 11.2 0.52 9 14mm
09-20 8.9 0.46 9 22mm
09-21 10.9 0.44 9 12mm
09-22 10.4 0.4 9 18mm
09-23 8.4 0.34 9 19mm
09-24 6 0.34 7 9mm

About this spot

Black Hill is a productive intermediate dive site off Utila, Honduras, sitting in the 12–30 meter range. The site rewards divers comfortable at moderate depths with steady reef structure and good conditions for exploring the underwater landscape. Year-round diving means you can plan a trip without worrying about seasonal closures or major weather windows—a practical advantage for the dive operators and independents working out of Utila. The reef itself holds the appeal of a well-developed system where you'll encounter typical Caribbean reef inhabitants. Intermediate divers will find the depth and terrain manageable, with enough visual interest to make bottom time worthwhile. The site is not within a marine protected area, so access is straightforward without permit complications. Community documentation includes three video records from divers who have logged time at Black Hill. These firsthand accounts provide a useful reference for conditions, marine life encounters, and what to expect on descent. Utila's position in the Bay Islands makes it accessible from the mainland, and the island maintains regular dive tourism infrastructure. Plan your diving around your own schedule rather than seasonal constraints—Black Hill works year-round.

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 110V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 49%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 8373km · ~1926kg · €35

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Black Hill?

Black Hill is diveable year-round, so you can schedule a trip whenever suits you. There are no seasonal closures or major weather windows that restrict access.

What depth and difficulty is this dive?

Black Hill ranges from 12 to 30 meters and is rated intermediate. You should be comfortable at moderate depths and have solid buoyancy control.

What marine life will I see?

The site hosts typical Caribbean reef species. Three community videos document dives here—watch them for specific sightings and behavior observations.

Do I need permits or is it in a protected area?

Black Hill is not within a marine protected area, so no special permits are required. Access is straightforward from Utila's dive operators.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Ecomarine - Gunter's Dive shop

1.8 km
Dive centre

Underwater Vision Dive Center

2 km
Dive centre

Coral View Utila Dive Center

0.1 km
Dive centre

Captain Morgans Dive Center

1.8 km
Dive centre

Cross Creek Dive Center

2 km
Dive centre

Utila Dive Center

2 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-19:00

Verified marine species observations

3 records · 3 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Arenaeus cribrarius

Malacostraca · Portunidae
GBIF
Last seen:
17 Jan 2026
×1records

Ocypode quadrata

Malacostraca · Ocypodidae
GBIF
Last seen:
17 Jan 2026
×1records

Urobatis jamaicensis

Elasmobranchii · Urotrygonidae
GBIF
Last seen:
11 Jan 2026
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Best Dive site in Utila, Honduras : Black Hills

diane'svoyages

Diving in aquarium, Utila, Honduras, Bay islands amazing UDC

diane'svoyages

Black Hills Dive, Utila Honduras

GoBall

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Utila — Airport Reef

Shallow reef dive off Utila's airport, ideal for beginners. Coral heads and tropical fish in 5–18 meters.

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