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
The ideal tropical beach paradise, surrounded by piercingly blue water, extensive sand bar and coral reef. No one lives on Water Cay, and despite it being such an amazing spot, is very likely you may be the only folks out there. There are coconut palms and Australian pines for shade or for your hammocks.
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 FOR RENT / CAYE
Private islands that have a cabin available for rental at very affordable prices.
WATER CAYE
A must-do during your vacation to Utila is a day trip to Water Cay, off the West end Utila You will travel in a “dory” to this uninhabited, palm-treed, white sanded Cay, and can spend the day on a nice, tropical beach or wade in the sandbars. 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) Captain Austin Solomon-
Nice fast boat, very nice man. You can find him down at Sandy Bay; it’s the new white house on the left, the last one on the water side before you get to the gym. He’s also the “other gas station” in town.
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 425-3384.
3) Captain Renny-
Another 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 intersectionn where you turn up to Colibri Hotel.
4) Captain Hector -
One of our favorites is Captain Hector, who is an older Utilian that will surely charm you. He has a smaller boat, so it takes a little longer, but he has fabulous stories about his sea-days and life on Utila. He will also wait for you at Water Caye instead of dropping off, and so won’t charge extra to go to Pigeon Cay. (If it’s a bit windy, better to arrange with Captain Arturo or Mr. Solomon, just due to size of boat.) To arrange for Captain Hector, he lives just up the street from Johnnys Water, on the left of the street. You will see a little sign that says Water Caye trips. You can also reach him through his grandaughter Alice, of Worldwide Travel Agency. Hector may be the sweetest man around.
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 Big Mama’s restaurant, sitting out front of the house that says “sea shells for sell” on the left.
6) Ramon’s Charters: Captain Ronnie. 2 boats: Cabin cruiser- 31′footer partly covered or a smaller open 25 footer. Customized Fishing trips and Charters to La Ceiba ($200 smaller boat, $600 big boat), Roatan (If a group- $50 per person, min 4 person or $200 usd- takes 1 hour), Cayos Cayochinos.
What to Bring:
The entrance to the Water Cay is L40 per person ($2); sometimes they come and collect, and sometimes not.
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
Is allowed and safe. There are no facilities there, 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 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, its 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 its just one cay, and indeed its 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 Cayes population are primarily fisherman, as well as now 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 Pidgeon and Jewel, be sure to stop at Sue’s for fish burgers or Hermans Caye 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 as well.
Also be sure to take a walk through the Cayes stop in at the little stores, and treat yourself to an ice cream before heading over to Water Cay.
Staying on the the Pigeon or Jewel Cay:
There are a few hotels options available. These are simple rooms and very affordable:
-Hotel Kayla - on the water, with 8 rooms, all with private bath and fan, run by Captain Morgans Dive Shop 504-425-3340
-Hotel Kayla 2 – next door to Hotel Kayla with the same contacts.
-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
For More on Jewel Cay / Pigeon Cay, see these links:
Visit Utila Cays: http://visitutilacays.com – Nice site on Utila Cays featuring good information and photos on the different hotels, rentals, restaurants and more. Also on Facebook
Utila Cay Life: http://www.utilacaylife.com/ - a new website featuring contact information for almost all the hotels, restaurants, and other businesses on the Cays.
see this link on TravelPod with many traveler reviews and photos.
link for a Trip Advisor Review on the Utila Cayes
SANDY CAY and LITTLE CAY FOR RENT / CAYE
Private islands that have a cabin available for rental 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
These 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
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For More Information on the Utila Cays, take a look at the new webpage http://www.utilacaylife.com/
