Josie J Wreck - Roatán

The Josie J, sitting upright in about 20 metres of water, is one of Roatán’s more intriguing wrecks. It’s not just a pile of metal; this old freighter feels like a proper ship, still holding its shape and inviting you to explore. We love that you can swim through the cargo holds, where shafts of light pierce the gloom, illuminating schools of silversides that flicker like disturbed coins. Look closely at the hull and deck plating – it’s draped in sponges and soft corals, a vibrant, living skin over the rusted steel. Our favourite part is the stern, where the prop is still intact and often shrouded in a thick cloud of creole wrasse. You’ll frequently spot resident green morays peeking from crevices, and the occasional eagle ray might glide past in the blue. This is a brilliant site for newer wreck divers because the penetration is straightforward and well-lit, but there's enough structure and life to keep experienced divers happy too. Head down in the morning for the best light, before the dive boats stack up.

Location
Roatán, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
16.269428, -86.603836
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Islas de la Bahía

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 Josie J Wreck

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 Josie J Wreck

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