Exploring the Utila Cays
The Utila Cays (sometimes written Cayes, but pronounced “Keys”) are a collection of tiny islets located off the southwest corner of the main island of Utila. The Cays include:
WATER CAY / CAYE
This is THE ideal tropical beach paradise, surrounded by piercingly blue water, an extensive sand bar and coral reef. No one lives on Water Cay, and despite it being such an amazing place, is very likely you may be the only folks out there-especially first thing in the morning. There are coconut palms and Australian pines for shade or for your hammocks. Bathrooms are also available.
PIGEON (SUC-SUC) and JEWEL CAY / CAYE
Small fishing village that makes a great stop for lunch or even a day or two.
SANDY CAY and LITTLE CAY –Cays FOR RENT
Private islands that have accommodations available for rent at very affordable prices. Spend the night on a private tropical island in the Caribbean!
WATER CAYE
Visiting Water Caye is a must-do activity during your time on Utila. Plan to spend the entire day, pack a cooler full of drinks and food or organize a trip with one of the companies on the island that can provide food and drink and a completely relaxing experience.
You will travel in a speed boat or a “dory” to this uninhabited, palm-treed, white sanded Cay, and can spend the day on a tropical beach where you can wade in the sandbar, snorkel, hang a hammock and relax in the tropical breeze. This is truly a great spot for postcard quality pictures, with its white sand, coconut trees and inviting water. There is excellent shallow-water snorkeling off the windward side of the key as well.
To get there:
You’ll need to hire a Captain (water taxi) for the 20-30 minute journey from the town centre to Water Cay for about 500-600 lempiras ($25-30 usd) for the boat round trip.
Available Captains: (All these Captains are local islanders, and very experienced).
1)Bush’s Bay Island Charters-
Fast boats that accommodate a large number of people if necessary. They will cater to their guests to be as involved as necessary, providing food and drinks and hammocks if required. They can also provide water sports equipment – kayaks, Stand Up Paddle Boards and Snorkeling gear. Contact Captain Dennie at Bush’s Supermarket or his lovely partner Kirstie for more details. Contact Captain Dennie Bush (504)3145-7139 Email: utilarooster14@hotmail.com, Kirstie Jackson (504)8921-0045 Email:kirstie.jackson91@icloud.com
2) Captain Arturo –
Nice fast big boat. He is located just across from Utila Dive Center, behind the building that’s on the street. His home number is 2425-3384.
3) Captain Renny-
A veteran of the sea, with a nice big fast boat. Captain Renny is a very good man, and has nice tales of the island. Capt. Renny can be found at Bay View Hotel, in Sandy Bay, just at the intersection where you turn up to Colibri Hotel.
4) Captain Junior with Sunbliss Tours and Charters-
Contact Captain of Sunbliss tours at the small café at the entrance to the Mango Tango on the main street of Utila. Sunbliss offers trips around the island and daily trips to Water Caye. They are also available for charter trips to Roatan, La Ceiba and Cayos Cochinos and will do fishing and whale shark trips. Contact Junior: 97343422 e-mail: jr_williams06@hotmail.com
5) Captain Hal or Captain Jake Whitfield
Also available with smaller boat – very nice older islanders with lots of sea-time. You can usually find them next to ‘Samantha’s Seven Eleven’ Store on the point before the Seven Seas Cafe, sitting out front of the house that says “sea shells for sell” on the left.
What to Bring:
The entrance to the Water Cay is L60 per person ($3) and will be collected at some point during your stay on the Cay.
Be sure to bring water, drinks, snorkeling equipment, sunblock, and food (if not planning to go to Pigeon Caye as below). This is a great place to test out your new hammock that you may have bought!
Camping on Water Cay
This is permitted and safe. There are only simple bathroom facilities there-often with no fresh water, so be sure to bring what you need and be sure to pack out all your garbage!
PIGEON (SUC-SUC) CAY AND JEWEL CAY
On your way to or from Water Cay, be sure to stop at Pigeon Cay and Jewel Cay for lunch and to wander the main “path” (no streets) through town. Some Captains may charge a little bit more to stop over on your way to Water Caye, but others may just be happy if you buy them lunch. Regardless, it’s worth it and something you will be happy you did.
This fishing village is actually made up of 2 separate Cays (Suc-Suc (Pigeon) and Jewel Cay) but are connected by bridge, so many folks think it’s just one cay, and indeed it’s commonly referred to as Pigeon Cay.
Though it is a small population (about 500 people), there is not much land here, so the Cays are densely packed, with many of the homes over the water on stilts. The “Cayons” are descendants from the first residents, who came to Utila from the Cayman Islands in the 1830s. The main island of Utila was the first to be settled, a population soon moved out to the Cays, to avoid the sand flies, as they are reputed to be much less prevalent than on the main island of Utila. The Cays population are primarily fisherman, as well as a mix of folks from mainland Honduras and expats who have settled in.
These Cays are extremely laid back and generally quiet, with just a few bars and restaurants and shops and churches. Though on Saturday nights the disco gets thumping and the dance floor comes alive. Visitors are welcome – just be respectful of the locals of course.
Eating on Pigeon and Jewel Cay:
When on Pigeon and Jewel, be sure to stop at Sue’s for fish burgers or Hermans Cay View for fish fingers for lunch (they also serve burgers, fries, and local food). They are both verrrrrry casual and truly island-style
There is also a fish factory on the Cays, and a great way to pick up some fish for grilling before heading out to Water Cay or for your return for dinner back at Utila. They will fillet it for you if you ask them to.
Also, be sure to take a walk through the Cays stop in at the little stores, and treat yourself to an ice cream before heading over to Water Cay or back to the main island of Utila.
Staying on the Pigeon or Jewel Cay:
There are a few hotels options available. These are simple rooms and very affordable:
–Hotel Kayla – located on the water, with 8 rooms, all with private bath and fan. The hotel is operated by Utila Cayes Diving (e-mail: info@utilacayesdiving.com)
-Hotel Kayla 2 – next door to Hotel Kayla
-The Lonestar Hotel– offers 4 rooms with private bath, hot water and fan (504) 966-5389
–Vicky’s Rooms for rent, with ten rooms, shared bath
Harbor House Privately owned Vacation Rental with fantastic views offers a unique stay in a unique location!
For More on Jewel Cay / Pigeon Cay, see these links:
Nice Facebook page called Utila Cays Bay Island Honduras which features great photos and some information about the different hotels, rentals, restaurants and more.
link for a Trip Advisor Review on the Utila Cayes
SANDY CAY and LITTLE CAY FOR RENT / CAYE
Private islands that have accommodations available for rent at very affordable prices. Click on our page, Islands for Rent, for more information.
OTHER CAYES: Bells Cay, Southeast Cay, Southwest Cay, Diamond Cay and Morgan Cay- are all privately owned and have nice houses on them that make for a perfect photo, but are not currently available for rent or day visits