Honduras’ Roatan is a spectacular Caribbean diving destination, offering crystal clear blue water, an abundance of marine life, and incomparable geologic features along what is the world’s second largest barrier reef. Like other top diving destinations throughout the world, Roatan offers divers the opportunity to explore intriguing wrecks. These three are the best the island has to offer, and are ideal for underwater photography, so grab your camera – let’s take a look!
El Aguila
The 230 foot long El Aguila, or “The Eagle” as it is sometimes called, sits beneath 100 feet of water, and is home to an abundance of marine life. The ship was twice salvaged after being damaged in storms, and was finally deployed as an artificial reef in 1997. Originally upright and intact, the wreck was badly damaged in October of 1998, when Hurricane Mitch tore it in 3 separate pieces.
The ship was opened up and prepared for divers prior to being sunk, and when it broke up, that opened the wreck even further. Today, it is an underwater playground full of swimthroughs that are wide open, as well as some dark, mysterious nooks and crannies where lobsters and other recalcitrant creatures hide.
The ship is surrounded by a fantastic eel garden, and is beautifully wreathed in black coral, gorgonians, and sponges. A nearby wall rises up toward the surface, allowing for a fun ascent toward the final safety stop.
Odyssey
The Odyssey is a 300 foot freighter, which was rebuilt after a fire, and ultimately deployed as an artificial reef on November 15, 2002. The ship lies on a sandy patch at 110 feet, adjacent to a fantastic wall. The ship’s bow is upright and accessible at about 15 feet. The ship has collapsed over time, and though the amidships section has been flattened; the stern is still intact and lists on a 30 degree angle. There are many areas which offer excellent penetration opportunities, and the ship is home to an impressive array of fish and other creatures. It is not uncommon to see schooling jacks, barracuda, and sharks making their way around the massive wreck.
Prince Albert’s Wreck
The Prince Albert was abandoned by a group of Nicaraguan refugees after being stranded, and was eventually refloated, brought in to shore, and cleaned up for deployment as an artificial reef. In January of 1985, the 140 foot freighter was sunk near Roatan’s fringing reef. The deck hatches are wide open, making exploration easy, and providing plenty of outside illumination. The coral covered ship is home to schooling silversides, moray eels, and a rainbow of colorful tropical fish, and a colony of garden eels inhabit a sandy patch nearby. The Prince Albert wreck sits upright in 60 feet of water, and is accessible at just 35 feet. Watch for eagle rays, nurse sharks, and barracuda as you explore, and keep an eye out for turtles, as well. As a bonus, you’ll find a second wreck, that of a DC-3 jet, with an intact fuselage, very close by.
These are just a handful of Roatan’s wreck dives. There are plenty of others to explore, some of which are in very shallow water. There are many wonderful dive operators on the island, so visiting these wrecks is easy. You are certain to enjoy a memorable diving vacation here!