CARLOS A
Protected Area
Laguna de Guaimoreto
Why dive here
With 168+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, orcas, sea turtles, whale sharks and pufferfish - CARLOS A offers some of Roatán's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.
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.
Typical CARLOS A Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
CARLOS A Wreck History
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.
Reviews for CARLOS A
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for CARLOS A
CARLOS A Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for CARLOS A, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (16.27, -86.6) (5km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
86°F · Range: 29–31.6°C
Current Speed
1.41 cm/s
Direction: NW (315°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.052 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
35.96 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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