El Aguila Wreck

El Aguila ('The Eagle') is a 70-meter cargo freighter intentionally sunk in 1997 off the north shore of Roatán near Sandy Bay to create an artificial reef. A subsequent hurricane broke the hull into three sections, which now rest upright on a sandy bottom in 18 to 33 meters of water and have become one of the Bay Islands' most popular wreck dives. Each section is open and well-illuminated, allowing penetration through the wheelhouse, cargo holds and engine room for divers with appropriate training. The wreck has been colonized by encrusting sponges, hydroids and small hard corals, and is home to a resident green moray nicknamed 'Vergie' along with large schools of horse-eye jack, spotted drum, queen triggerfish and frequent visits from groupers and barracuda. The site is normally diveable year-round with mild currents and 20 to 30 meters of visibility, and is operated as a permanent mooring by the Roatán Marine Park.