Utila Lionfish Hunting Trip: 7-Night Dive & Conservation Expedition (April 10–17, 2027)

Utila, Honduras sits in the Bay Islands archipelago, a compact Caribbean patch of reef and blue water where Utila Lodge perches over the sea. This seven-night Lionfish Hunting Trip (April 10–17, 2027) combines daily boat diving, a conservation‑focused workshop and the rare experience of hunting and dining on an invasive fish species with marine biologists from the Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center. From the dock at Utila Lodge you step directly into a marine world of coral ridges, patch reefs and deep sea mounds—underwater structures where currents stack plankton and attract lionfish, groupers and occasional eagle rays. The trip centers on six days of three-boat dives per day, two night dives and guided drift hunts on sea mounds where lionfish persist in higher numbers. Instruction begins in the classroom, moves to pool practice with a Hawaiian sling, then to marked dives where WSORC staff lead the hunt, collect biological samples and issue Honduran lionfish hunting licenses and slings via the Bay Islands Conservation Association. Accommodations at Utila Lodge are intentionally simple and social: screened porches with hammocks, air conditioning, daily housekeeping and a dock that doubles as a gathering space—and has even hosted helicopter landings. Meals are served buffet-style, and the trip includes fresh local seafood, often prepared from the very lionfish guests help remove from reefs. The fleet flagship, the Sea Sprite, is a 42-foot dive vessel with a crow’s nest for spotting whale sharks and spouting dolphins between dives. What makes this trip stand out is its blend of hands-on conservation, repeated exposure to varied dive environments and direct access to local science partners. Lionfish arrived in the western Caribbean in 2008 and reproduce rapidly; targeted culling and data collection on trips like this contribute to regional management and research. You’ll not only hone spearfishing and night-diving skills, you’ll see reef health issues up close and learn how removal strategies are implemented. Practicalities: the meeting point is Utila Lodge, Utila Bay; plan flights via Roatan with a ferry connection to Utila. The itinerary stacks high-volume diving with classroom time and optional dissection labs where researchers examine stomach contents. The group size is small—typically 14—so interactions with WSORC staff and Devin Hoag of Scuba.com are personal and instructional. For travelers who want active days, marine science context and the rare satisfaction of converting invasive species into dinner, this trip is a precise, memorable way to experience the Bay Islands’ reefs while contributing to their care. Spaces are limited and the trip requires prior certification and dive medical clearance; book for April 10–17, 2027 to secure your place, coordinate transfers from Roatan and ferry schedules, and arrive ready for high-energy days focused on reef restoration and immersive Caribbean diving.