The Highlight of my vacation was swimming with whale sharks and dolphins. The instructors at Deep Blue Divers were some of the friendliest I have met. I stayed with them and did 2 courses. They are also fantastic at finding smaller weird creatures. Most of the instructors have been diving on Utila for many years, unlike some of the other dive centers.
I also spent some of my time diving with one of the owners, steve. He was fantastic. They are the only owners on the island that dive most days with their customers.
I used to go out with the instructors in the evening for food and a drink and had the best vacation I have ever had.
Quick Tips:
When you go to Utila, look for the real PADI shops - there are only 4. They will all tell you they are but they aren't. The only ones that are are UDC, BICD, and Deep Blue. Most of the other companies have cheap gear and their boats break down all the time. While I was there, one dive shop closed down because their boat kept breaking down and couldn't take out customers.
Diving can be dangerous. Make sure you get proper tuition. If you are taught correctly, it is a fantastic sport.
Don't go for the cheapest diveshops. Look around; there must be a reason why they are so cheap. And don't be hassled when you get of the ferry. Lots of the dive centers try to rush you into a decision.
Best Way To Get Around:
The town of Utila is so small you can walk around it in an hour. If you want to see more of the island, hire a bike. There are some cool things to see