Dive Site: Mr. Bud Wreck

About Mr. Bud Wreck

The Mr. Bud Wreck is a purposefully sunk 75-foot cargo vessel, originally a conch boat from Jamaica, resting on its port side near the channel by Brady's Cay and Big French Cay on Roatan's south shore. Sunk in the mid-1990s, it serves as an artificial reef, offering an easy-to-navigate layout for divers. Initially upright when sunk in 1995, Hurricane Mitch in 1998 moved the wreck, shifting its bow against the reef and listing it to port. The wreck is situated in a sandy chute, surrounded by a vibrant coral reef that features steep walls. The top deck is around 13 meters (43 feet) deep, with the stern and deeper parts of the wreck reaching 18 meters (60 feet). This depth profile, combined with sand flats and healthy coral growth, makes it an excellent site for both wreck exploration and reef observation. Marine life at Mr. Bud Wreck is abundant, with common sightings of seahorses, garden eels, and various reef fish. Silversides often form dense schools within the main cargo hold, while moray eels are frequently found tucked into corners. The surrounding reef adds to the biodiversity, making repeat visits rewarding. This site is ideal for practicing wreck diving skills due to its open structure and multiple entry points, making it readable for certified wreck divers. Non-penetration passes are also possible for casual visitors, allowing enjoyment of the wreck's exterior and surrounding reef life.

Dive site facts: Mr. Bud Wreck

Depth

13–18 m

Typical dive

13–18 m, 50–60 min

Current

Mild / Negligible

Visibility

25–36 m

Water temperature

24–31 °C

Entry

Simple boat entry

Level

Intermediate

Dive type

Wreck, Artificial Reef, Reef Wall

Region / port

Roatan, Honduras

Coordinates

16.4250° N, 86.7265° W

Conditions & Currents

Mr. Bud Wreck is a shallow wreck located on a reef edge, generally experiencing calm water conditions which make the structure easy to read and navigate. While the overall area of Roatan can experience currents, this site is not noted for strong or challenging flows, suggesting mostly mild or negligible currents. Visibility is consistently good, averaging around 25 meters, and can extend up to 30-36 meters during the dry season. Entry and exit are typically simple. The calm conditions, clear visibility, and predictable layout make it suitable for divers focusing on exploration and skill practice without the added complexity of strong currents, though local conditions should always be confirmed before diving.

Marine life & sighting chances

Common Seahorse

Year-round · common

Moray Eel

Year-round · common

Stingray

Year-round · common

Silversides

common

Garden Eel

common

Flounder

occasional

Angelfish

Year-round · common

Parrotfish

Year-round · common

Barracuda

October, December · occasional

Octopus

January, September · rare

Wrasse

July, September, October · occasional

Grouper

January, March, April, July, September, October, December · common

Crab

January, March, April, July, September, October · common

Spiny Lobster

March, April, September, December · occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Divers typically begin their descent at the mooring ball, which is often attached to the mid-aft section of the starboard side of the Mr. Bud Wreck. The wreck lies in a sandy chute at a maximum depth of 18 meters (60 feet), with the top deck around 13 meters (43 feet). The dive route often starts by exploring the exterior of the 75-foot vessel, noting its list to port and the bow resting against the reef. Divers can investigate the pilot house, located at the bow in about 14 meters (45 feet) of water, which offers easy swim-throughs. The main cargo hold also provides open entry points, often filled with schooling fish. After thorough exploration of the wreck, attention can shift to the surrounding vibrant coral reef, which features steep walls. The dive concludes with a gradual ascent, allowing for a safety stop along the upper reef structure or a suitable shallow point before surfacing.

Underwater photography

The Mr. Bud Wreck offers excellent opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography. For wide-angle shots, a fisheye or wide-angle lens is ideal to capture the entire 75-foot vessel, its upright structure, and the expansive reef backdrop. The wreck's open swim-throughs and main cargo hold, especially when dense with schooling silversides, create compelling compositions. For macro enthusiasts, the wreck's surfaces and surrounding reef are home to numerous small critters like seahorses, garden eels, and crabs, best captured with a 60mm or 100mm macro lens. Utilize strobes to bring out the vibrant colors of the coral growth on the wreck and the surrounding reef, as well as to illuminate the darker interior of swim-throughs. Maintain excellent buoyancy control to avoid disturbing the sandy bottom or fragile corals, ensuring both good shots and minimal environmental impact.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• French Cay Cut

  Near where Mr. Bud is located.

• Odyssey

  Another significant wreck dive on Roatan, though deeper and on the north shore.

• The Point

  A classic drift dive with strong currents, contrasting with Mr. Bud's calm conditions.

Getting there & logistics

Diving Mr. Bud Wreck typically involves traveling to Roatan, Honduras, accessible via Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (RTB). Most dive operations run out of various resorts and dive centers across the island. The wreck is situated off the south coast near Brady's Cay and Big French Cay, often reached by short boat rides from south shore operators. Dives to Mr. Bud are usually part of a multi-dive package offered by local dive shops, requiring no specific additional permits beyond standard marine park fees, which are often included in dive trip costs. Trip lengths can vary from single-day excursions to week-long liveaboard or resort stays, allowing for multiple dives on this and other nearby sites. Enriched Air (Nitrox) is typically available for extended bottom time on the wreck.

Safety & environment

For your safety at Mr. Bud Wreck, it's crucial to be aware of the overhead environment if you plan any penetration, even with its open structure. Appropriate wreck training and certification are recommended for entering the wreck, as per local safety guidelines. For non-penetration dives, staying outside the wreck is the safer default. Roatan has a recompression chamber, typically located in Coxen Hole, which is the primary facility for dive emergencies. Divers should always carry comprehensive dive insurance that covers emergency medical treatment and evacuation. Local dive operators enforce marine park rules, and divers must adhere to these, including responsible interaction with marine life and maintaining excellent buoyancy control to protect the artificial reef and surrounding corals.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Mr. Bud Wreck FAQ

Liveaboards diving Mr. Bud Wreck

These liveaboards may visit Mr. Bud Wreck on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Roatan Aggressor

Honduras

18 guests31.1 m

$309/day