Sandy Bay Beach-Front House & Apt. in diver's paradise! in Roatan/Bay Islands

~The House~
The Sandy Bay Beach-front House is a beautiful “island-style”
private residence with just under 2000 SF of open floor plan and 90
ft of beach front. This quality built home features a large
gathering room in the middle with vaulted ceilings and mahogany
floors. The modern kitchen with breakfast bar opens to the spacious
living room surrounded by windows on all sides! You’ll be hard
pressed to find a better value in Utila or the Caribbean.

On both sides of the house are identical bedrooms with a full size
bed, private full bath and double french doors leading to the main
deck. The home is great for 2 couples and the kids can sleep on the
queen sleeper sofa, or for more privacy, rent the downstairs
apartment. This fully furnished home features a wrap around deck
that’s great for viewing the sunsets over the rear Oyster Bay Lagoon
on one side and sunrise over Utila Bay and the peaks of mainland
Honduras on the other. To give you a better visual idea of the
layout of the home, we’ve provided a sketch of the home’s floor plan.

Below the main house is a separate 300 SF 1 bdrm/1 bath apartment
facing the front beach and water. This is rented separately, but
can be included for larger groups when available. The apartment has
a full size bed, private bath, a full kitchen, french doors leading
to the front beach and lot’s of windows to catch the breezes.
There is also a large bodega that stores the mountain bikes and
washer/dryer.

The landscaped grounds are full of local flowers, colorful plants,
palm & banana trees with a combination of soft grass and Bay Island
beach sand. The property is beautifully maintained by Angelito and
his family, home caretaker for 6 years.

~ Location ~
The Sandy Bay Beach House is positioned on the leeward or south side
of Utila Island. Utila is the smallest, most westerly and one of
three of the Bay Islands just off the coast of Honduras (east of
Belize & South of Key West). As a low key paradise off the touristy
path, Utila is quickly becoming the meeting place for divers from
all over the world searching for the next “secret” destination. This
diving destination is routinely voted as the best value in the
Caribbean.

Our house is located on a peninsula in Sandy Bay. We are just a 5
min bike ride west of Utila Town; however, we are just far enough
away from the hustle & bustle of the main tourist areas. A mile
ride will bring you to the beginning of town, built in charming Key
West style along the harbor. You’ll ride past the many dive shops,
restaurants, grocery stores, bars, hotels and Utilians going about
they’re daily routines.

The home’s wrap around deck provides spectacular views including the
bay, mountains of the mainland, town, reef system and lagoon.
Snorkel from the front door to great reefs less than 300 yards in
front of the house. It’s not uncommon to see dolphin, eagle rays and
bonefish from the deck. Our home is virtually sitting on top of
technicolor coral reefs & 20 coconut throws away from the famous
Laguna Beach Resort.

Check out our “Getting there and away” on our website for assistance
with booking your trip and directions for getting to the house. If
you are looking for a quiet, beautiful, relaxing place to hang your
hat for a while, this is the place to do it. Utila offers so much
to do with no pressure to do it.

~ Boat & Recreational Vehicle ~
The home does not come with it's own boat or vehicle. However, a
boat can be easily & inexpensively chartered with a captain as
described in detail in the "Neighborhood Section/Fun Things To Do".
There are many shallow reefs surrounding the entire island,
therefore a captain is highly recommended. As far as land travel,
all that is really needed is a mountain bike (comes with rental) or
healthy feet. However it is fun to ride around the island in a ATV
4x4, Golf Cart or moped that can be easily rented.

• Right on beach & water, reef is less than 100 yards from deck
• Lagoon in rear of house (great for mooring boats/sail boats)
• All bedrooms have air conditioning & home has hot water
• Home has fans everywhere; ceiling, floors and walls
• 4 Mountain Bikes with carrier baskets
• Main home equipped with VHF/Marine radio
• Stereo, CD player, TV/VCR
• Full Kitchen with coffee maker, blender, microwave,
refrigerator, ice maker, 5 gallon bottled water, beach picnic ice
coolers, great assortment of cookware and “island flavor” tableware
• Washer & Dryer
• Each bedroom has new bedding and towels
• Traditional Bay Island BBQ grill on the front beach, Outdoor
rinse shower when coming back from snorkeling in the
front bay
• Weekly cleaning service & additional cleaning may be hired
• Massages available at incredibly low rates
• Great household caretaker, Angelito, works on the grounds
Thursday thru Saturday

Utila has been likened to a "Key West of 20 years ago" (Thurston
Clark). It is definitely the place to vacation for those who are
tired of the noise of jet skis, motor boats, beach venders and the
intense activity levels of many resort communities. This island is
not overrun by tourists though there are an increasing number who
have discovered Utila. As opposed to its neighboring island of
Roatan, no need to rent cars to explore the island. Exploration is
best carried out on bicycle or your own two feet. It is not at all
uncommon for visitor to overstay their intended stay where time and
finances permit. It is an ideal place to come if you enjoy kicking
back, diving, snorkeling, beach combing, fishing, or simply reading
a good book in a friendly, relaxed and informal atmosphere.

~ World Class Scuba Diving ~
Utila offers world class diving with miles of pristine barrier
reefs, beautiful coral & drop offs that go from 20 feet to over 3000
feet deep at the best rates in the world. Both beginners & advanced
divers will enjoy crystal clear waters, cave & night dives, over 400
species of fish & 70 types of coral and an endless array of dive
sights. Utila and the Bay Islands are the continuation of the
largest reef system in the northern hemisphere and Utila is the only
one of the Bay Islands that butts up to the continental shelf.

Utila is famous for being repeatedly voted the #1 “Best Value” in
the Caribbean and highly ranked in just about every other category
by popular dive magazines. Dive instructors from all over the world
come here to be trained in Utila with more than a dozen dive shops
to choose from. Dive the reefs, walls, and caves for $10-$15 per
dive. If you don’t have your diving license yet, get certified from
some of the best instruction in the world in 4 days for
approximately $100-$180.

~ Whale Shark Excursions ~
Utila’s whale sharks are now world famous. Renown as one of the best
places to experience an encounter with the largest fish in the sea,
growing to over 55 feet in length! Don’t worry; they eat plankton,
not people! Whale sharks are spotted year round but for the best
chance of seeing one, plan your visit during the most active months
of March/April/May and August/Sept/Oct. Swimming with one is a
memory for life!

~ Snorkling & Free Diving ~
For those of you that do not wish to don a tank on your back,
snorkeling and free diving are a must, especially right in front of
the Sandy Bay Beach House. The southern side of the island boasts
miles of reefs lining the shores. The reef here is often only 100
feet from shore, and the wall drops rapidly to moderate depths
below. You can spend hours counting the thousands of fish and coral
or looking for sand dollars but don’t forget to put lotion on the
back!

~ Water Sports ~
If you prefer to stay above water, than windsurfing, water skiing or
sailing might be just what you’re looking for. The prevailing
easterly winds not only keep you cool and bug free but they also
provide ideal conditions for the wind & water sporting enthusiast.
Patrick Water Sports now provides Jet Ski rentals, a water banana
and parasailing is soon to come. Patrick himself can be found at
the public beach just down the road from the house on the way to
town. You can rent a jet ski for $40-$55 per hour and ride around
the sail boats of Utila bay, through the lagoon behind the house or
even visit the Utila Cays on the west side of the island.

~ Explore the Island by Boat ~
You can hire a local boat and captain to take you fishing or for a
ride around the island. Visit the many secluded bays and beaches,
have a picnic, swim with the dolphin and go snorkeling with no one
in sight. A popular trip is to the famous Water Cay on the West End
of the island where you’ll take postcard quality pictures on the
beaches or wading in the sand bars. A visit to Pigeon Key fishing
village is a must-do cultural excursion. Ancestors of the first
settlers live here, and Sue’s fish burgers and banana cake (best
I’ve ever had by far) are a must!

You can rent kayaks, paddle boats, and small sail boats from our
neighbor right next door. From here, you can explore the lagoons
behind the house, circumnavigate the island (if it’s calm & you’re
in shape), or paddle up the mangrove canal behind the house to
deserted private beaches of beautiful Rock Harbor on the north shore.

~ Fishing ~
The fishing possibilities are endless in Utila. The deep waters of
the continental shelf offer many sea mounds and banks rising up from
depths of 2000-5000 feet. Offshore trolling will bring in Blue
Marlin, Wahoo, Yellow-fin Tuna & Dorado. Utila Lodge Resort offers
world class fishing opportunities or you can hire one of many local
fishermen to take you to their favorite spots. A local, Hal
Whitefield will take you and 3 others out for a day for $100. He is
reputed as one of the best fisherman on the island with every trick
in the book to help you hook the big one. You can bottom fish the
reefs for Grouper, Snook & Snapper or fly fish the lagoons, flats &
shallows for Permit, Tarpon or the elusive Bonefish.

~ Explore the Island by Land ~
Take a mountain bike through town & around the island. Visit the
airport beach for a swim. Go spelunking and for a dip in the several
freshwater caves around the island. Hike up Pumpkin Hill, a 270 foot
high extinct volcanic cone that rises at the northeastern tip of the
island for panoramic views. Four wheel drive vehicles are available
for hire; they’re especially useful for getting to the popular north
side eco-trails. Go horseback riding through the jungle paths or
take a guided tour of the island and see where Robinson Crusoe is
said to have built his home. Visit the Iguana station, preserving
Utila’s unique iguana found nowhere else on earth.

~ Enjoy the Restaurants & Night Life ~
Millionaires, expats, backpackers and the fun loving locals make up
Utila’s flourishing nightlife. Utilians love to party and play their
music. Coco Loco, Bar in the Bush, Casino, Margarita Ville, Bundu
Cafe and the Hideaway are a few of the many bars offering a
different taste of the many nightlife options. You can find a
quieter version by going to the local movie theatre for just a few
bucks or rent a video to watch at the house. It’s not uncommon to be
invited to a free city wide barbecue celebrating a birthday or
sports championship.

Utila has no shortage of great “open-air” restaurants. Even though
there are no McDonalds to be found on the island, you won’t go
hungry by any means. A typical meal will run you between $3.00 and
$5.00. Whether you're in the mood for a great wood-oven fired pizza
at La Dolce Vita or a fresh lobster dinner at Café Mango, a big slab
of tuna at RJ’s BBQ, or a baleada (Caribbean tortilla) from a local
street corner stand, Utila has it all and much more.

The Bundu Café is famous for its exceptional breakfast and lunch
menu. The new La Piccola Italian restaurant is making quite a name
for itself. The Jade Sea horse is well known for their fruit shakes,
eccentric owner & must see hotel. Other restaurants are Lucilles
Seafood, Ultra Light Israeli food, Big Mama’s and the list goes on.
You can find an assortment of baguettes, bagels and bread at
Camilla’s Bakery as well as homemade Italian ice cream at the Mango
Tree Gelateria. We also have a great Wine shop with an impressive
list.

If you want to cook in your own kitchen, you can get your groceries
& beer at Henderson’s and have them delivered to your front porch at
no charge. You can hire our talented cook, Estella, or inquire for
one of your wish for under $2.00 per hour or pay by the meal. You
can also get fresh seafood & fruit of all types. Utila has a few
good local beers for much less than a buck a piece that can be
delivered to your front door free of charge.

~ Enjoy the People ~
The people of Utila are simple and the social life revolves around
friends, gossip, and the happy hour at the assorted bars around
town. I’ve never known a local to turn down a drink in a local pub!
The typical Utilian is very friendly and it’s not surprising that
you’ll be told hours of pirate treasure stories with no apparent
need to be somewhere (working, that is). Just after a few days, you
won’t be able to make it through town without someone familiar
tempting you into conversation.

~ Shopping ~
There aren’t too many shops on Utila but we do have one of the best
in all of the Bay Islands in "Island Originals". They have an
excellent and tasteful collection of clothing, music, handicrafts
and collectibles to choose from. There are also street vendors, a
few local artists and new shops sprouting up in town. If you don’t
want to go into town than just hook up a hammock, grab a good book
and swing in a shady breeze all day.

~ Take a Trip to the Mainland or Roatan ~
Less than an hour’s ferry ride will get you to the coastal town of
La Ceiba; less than 20 miles away. From here, you can visit the
famous ruins of Copan; take a white water rafting expedition down
some beautiful class 2-4 rivers, trek around Pico Bonito National
Park, or swing in the jungle. All these activities and more can be
set up with any of the local travel agents in Utila Town.

Roatan is less than an hour’s ferry ride from La Ceiba. There are
also endless possibilities of fun here including: encountering the
famous dolphin at Anthony’s Key Resort, go on a shark dive, pet a
30lb iguana at the iguana preserve, set a parrot on your shoulder at
the bird park, or take an island tour by boat or taxi to visit the
many interesting communities on the island.

Usually a night or two in a lodge near your destination of choice is
needed. Roatan and La Ceiba can be reached in the same day by ferry
or plane.

~ About Utila & the Bay Islands ~
Roatan, Utila, Guanaja and 65 other small Caribbean cays comprise
Honduras’s Bay Islands. If you’re looking at a map of Central
America, you’ll notice that Utila is almost directly South of Key
West. Located just 12 to 35 miles off the countries northern coast,
these tropical clusters are the exposed summits of an undersea
mountain range known as the Bonacca Ridge. The Bay Islands are the
continuation of the second largest reef system in the world, the
Great Western Barrier Reef. The smallest and flattest of the three
major Bay Islands, Utila, is also the closest (18 miles) to the
mainland and measures approximately 3 x 8 miles. There are two hills
on the otherwise horizontal landscape, one of which is the hollow
shell of an extinct volcano at the East End. The inhabitants or
Utila are a mixture of descendants of British, Slaves, Central
American Caribs, and more recently, Hispanics from the mainland.

Utila has a unique atmosphere, a Caribbean paradise forgotten by the
havoc of modern life. There are practically no cars, everybody moves
around by boat or bicycle and nobody is in any particular hurry.
Utila is the new kid on the block of diving and island tourism and
is growing rapidly. Not too long ago, it was a laid-back island
nearly devoid of visitors and devoted almost entirely to fishing.
Today, Utila is a thriving community of dive shops, small hotels and
lodges by the sea catering to divers and escapists.

Utila has a richly diverse history. There is evidence of early
Payan Indians dating back to the Pre-Columbian years according to
the pottery and artifacts found. Columbus discovered Utila in 1502
and the Payans were put into slavery 26 years later. Famous
buccaneers such as Henry Morgan and pirate occupation by the
English, French and Dutch was a colorful part of the history
throughout the 1500's. British settlement finally occurred in the
early 1800’s. Utila, in many ways, is still more reflective of
England and the US than of the Honduran mainland. Thus, it is no
surprise that a richly Caribbean version of English is the
predominant language.

First and foremost, Utila is a friendly place. Though still a
fishing village, the tourism industry is becoming quite healthy.
Utila is not a typical "resort" island, nor is it highly developed.
On just about any evening one will find men, women, and children
walking, talking and generally just enjoying themselves on the main
street. The crime rate is very low and mostly of the petty theft
variety.

Utila Island is consistently voted THE best value in the Caribbean
as well as top ratings for wall & shore diving. It’s also noted as
one of the best places in the world to see a whale shark. It is
littered with undeveloped deserted beaches and one only needs a
mountain bike to get around the island. Most of the islanders use
ATV’s, golf carts and mopeds to get about.

The locals are often described as the friendliest people in the
Caribbean. If you’re looking for elegant dining, Gucci bags, and
disco techs then Utila probably won’t be for you. If you are looking
for new and adventurous diving experiences combined with a natural,
unstrained hospitality and Old World Caribbean charm, Utila should
be on the top of your list.

Please check with us for date availability. We rent our main home
and
apartment separately and together depending on the need.

Main Home (2-6 guests)
Daily: $140 (3 night minimum)
Weekly: $875
Monthly: $3,250

Apartment (1-2 guests)
Daily: $60 (3 night minimum)
Weekly: $360
Monthly: $1,325

* 15% discount for additional weeks
* Deluxe EZ-Go gas-powered Golf Cart available - guest rate: $40/day
* Check with us about “Off Season Rates” (Sept 1st – Dec 20th)
* Add 16% Honduran tax to all prices
* Rates (in US Dollars): Personal Currency Assistant™

DEPOSITS:
50% deposit at time of booking to secure reservation, 50% due 45
days
prior to departure. A security deposit of $200 is required for all
rentals that will be returned or credited back to your card as soon
as we find everything is in good shape.

EXTRA SERVICES & FEES
* Deluxe EZ-Go gas Golf Cart available - guest rate: $40/day
* Free use of mountain bikes
* Onsite laundry room available with stay
* Additional maid services available for $20. 00 per job
* Airport transfer $2. 00 per person/per trip
* E-mail and international calls available at several internet
café’s

PAYMENT is accepted in the form of credit card for your convenience.
You may also pay with check, money order, or cashier’s check via
snail mail.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS: A refund will be returned with a 45 day
written notice prior to your check in date. A $200 cancellation fee
will be deducted. If your notice of cancellation is received less
than 30 days prior to your check in date than you will forfeit all
monies paid, unless we are able to re-rent the property to someone
else for the same period. If the property is rented we will only
charge the cancellation fee above.

Rates are subject to change without notice.