Odyssey Wreck

Roatán’s largest shipwreck — a 91-meter freighter intentionally sunk in 2002 after fire damage, resting on sand at 33 meters off the south coast.

Overview

The Odyssey is a 91-meter (300-foot) freighter that was deliberately sunk off the south coast of Roatán in 2002 to create a dive attraction and artificial reef. The vessel was donated for sinking by Hybur Limited after a fire damaged the ship during a rebuilding process; Anthony’s Key Resort orchestrated the preparation and sinking. The wreck rests on a sandy shelf at approximately 33 meters (110 feet), with the upper deck structure rising to around 18–20 meters. The Odyssey is Roatán’s largest shipwreck and one of the largest artificial reef dives in the Caribbean. The cargo hold has partially collapsed. The hull is colonized with encrusting sponges, black coral, and wire corals. The wreck sits adjacent to the main reef wall, allowing divers to combine a wreck visit with wall diving in a single dive. Visibility is consistently 25–35 meters.

Site Information

• Location: South coast of Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Wreck dive
• Difficulty Level: Advanced
• Maximum Depth: 33 meters
• Typical Visibility: 25–35 meters (80–115 feet)
• Current: Light to moderate; can be stronger on the south wall
• Best Time: Year-round; best conditions December to April

Marine Life

Schools of large grouper, barracuda, and jacks are consistently reported by dive operators at the Odyssey. Moray eels inhabit the railings and deck structures. Black coral has colonized the superstructure, and encrusting sponges cover the hull in patches. Caribbean reef sharks are reported in the water column adjacent to the wreck.

Note: Claims about specific species such as nurse sharks sheltering in the hold, spotted eagle rays on the sandy shelf, and hawksbill turtles on the upper deck are plausible for the Roatán area but could not be verified against sources specific to the Odyssey site and have been noted as unconfirmed.

Dive Profile

Descend directly to the upper deck at 18–20 meters to maximize bottom time in the richest area of the wreck. Explore the deck structures, mast, and railings before dropping to the main hull at 25–30 meters. The deepest section sits at 33 meters. Note: the cargo hold has partially collapsed — do not enter without verifying current conditions with your dive operator. Allow sufficient air reserve before beginning the ascent — work back up to the upper deck and mast, then ascend the mooring line or make a free ascent with SMB to your safety stop at 5 meters. Nitrox is recommended to extend bottom time at depth.

Entry and Exit

Served by West End and West Bay dive operators. Permanent mooring on the wreck. Entry via giant stride or back roll. The surface over the wreck can have moderate swells in trade-wind weather — check conditions before committing to this site.

Tips

• Nitrox 32% significantly extends bottom time for an Odyssey dive and is strongly recommended
• The first 10 minutes on the upper deck at 18–20 meters are the most productive for marine life encounters
• Do not penetrate the hold without proper wreck training and redundant lighting — the interior is dark and silts easily
• Combining a circuit of the Odyssey’s hull with a swim to the adjacent reef wall is possible on a single dive with good air management
• Dive computers with bottom timer and ascent rate function are essential for this depth

Safety

Advanced dive requiring good buoyancy control and air management. The 33-meter maximum depth limits bottom time on air — monitor your gas supply continuously. Narcosis can be a factor for some divers at depth; discuss with your buddy beforehand. The wreck has sharp edges and protruding metal — avoid contact. Always make a 3–5 minute safety stop at 5 meters. Carry an SMB for open-water ascents.

Photography

The Odyssey is one of Roatán’s premier wreck photography subjects. The scale of the vessel allows dramatic wide-angle shots — a diver on the upper deck with the hull curving away creates powerful perspective. Black coral on the superstructure provides foreground interest. Schooling jacks circling the hull are an outstanding subject for wide-angle fish photography. A strobe is essential for illuminating the hull sponges at depth where ambient light is limited.

Sources: Splash Inn Dive Resort – The Odyssey Shipwreck, Roatan Tourism Bureau – Odyssey Wreck, DreamWrecks – The Odyssey Roatan, Anthony’s Key Resort – Odyssey, Sun Divers Roatan – Roatan Wreck Diving. Last updated 2026-06-27.