CARLOS A - Roatán

Carlos A is one of Roatán’s unique dives, a wreck in name but truly a living reef. She wasn’t sunk deliberately, instead springing a leak in heavy weather back in ‘79 and settling upright in just two metres of water near Puerto Castilla. That shallow depth makes it an incredible snorkel or a very relaxed dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to dawdle. We love how the light plays on her deck, filtering through the surface and illuminating the encrusting corals. The old trawler has been completely colonised, a green moray eel often peeking out from the engine room, and the bow section a playground for juvenile reef fish. Look closely and you’ll find nudibranchs crawling over the sponges. It’s a gentle site, often sheltered, so we’d suggest going early to have her all to yourselves. You can spend ages poking around, enjoying the peace.

Location
Roatán, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
15.916667, -86.000000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
2m

Wreck History - CARLOS A

Year Sunk
1979
Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
storm

The Carlos A was a fishing trawler whose career came to an abrupt end in November 1979. Caught in heavy weather off the coast of Honduras near Puerto Castilla, the vessel sprang a critical leak. The crew was unable to control the flooding, and the Carlos A succumbed to the storm, sinking to the seabed. Today, the wreck rests in extremely shallow water, at a depth of only 2 meters. Its classification as a 'dangerous wreck' indicates that its structure is close to the surface, posing a hazard to navigation for other boats in the area.

While not a destination for a typical scuba dive in a place like Roatán, famous for its deep walls and vibrant reefs, the Carlos A offers a different kind of underwater experience. It is an ideal site for snorkelers and kayakers to explore from the surface. The shallow wreckage has become a mini-ecosystem, providing shelter for juvenile fish and invertebrates. It serves as a simple, accessible, and stark reminder of the sea's power, easily observed just a few feet below the waves.

Marine Protected Area: Laguna de Guaimoreto

Best Time to Dive in Roatán

The warmest water temperatures in Roatán occur in September, averaging 30.2°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.4°C
  • February: 27.3°C
  • March: 27.4°C
  • April: 28.0°C
  • May: 28.9°C
  • June: 29.3°C
  • July: 29.1°C
  • August: 29.7°C
  • September: 30.2°C
  • October: 30.0°C
  • November: 29.1°C
  • December: 28.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Roatán

Nearest Dive Centres to CARLOS A

Marine Life in Roatán

Home to 170 recorded species including 150 reef fish, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 5 hard corals, 4 other, 1 sharks & rays, 1 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for CARLOS A

Based on average water temperature of 28.7°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories