Dive Site: Sayonara Wreck

About Sayonara Wreck

The Sayonara Wreck offers an engaging intermediate dive experience southwest of the Turneffe Islands in Belize. This steel-hulled vessel rests in a listing position, its structure providing a fascinating artificial reef that has been extensively colonized by a variety of hard and soft corals, as well as sponges. The continuous growth of these marine organisms softens the metallic framework, creating a dynamic living environment with high fish activity. This site is situated in close proximity to the natural reef, which allows for a rich diversity of fish populations to move freely between the wreck and the surrounding habitats. Divers can observe a wide array of tropical marine life utilizing the wreck's openings and encrusted sections for shelter and foraging. The waters around Turneffe Atoll are known for excellent underwater visibility, often exceeding 30 meters, making the Sayonara Wreck a captivating subject for exploration. Water temperatures are consistently warm, averaging between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius, providing comfortable diving conditions year-round. Access to the Sayonara Wreck is exclusively by boat. Divers should be prepared for moderate currents that can occasionally be present at the site, influencing the dive. The experience caters to intermediate divers, blending the historical appeal of a shipwreck with the thriving biodiversity of a coral reef.

Dive site facts: Sayonara Wreck

Depth

12–18 m

Current

Moderate

Visibility

~30 m

Water temperature

26–29°C

Entry

Boat

Level

Intermediate

Dive type

Wreck, reef

Region / port

Turneffe Atoll

Coordinates

17.2267° N, 87.9464° W

Conditions & Currents

Divers at the Sayonara Wreck should anticipate moderate currents, which can occasionally influence the dive. These currents are a characteristic feature of the Turneffe Atoll, particularly on the eastern reefs and prominent headlands where marine life congregates. While the currents are generally manageable, they necessitate careful air management and navigation, especially for those less experienced in drift diving. Entry to the site is exclusively via boat, ensuring controlled access. Visibility in the Turneffe Atoll is consistently excellent, often ranging from 30 to 40 meters, though localized conditions can vary with currents. Water temperatures remain warm throughout the year, between 26 and 29°C.

Marine life & sighting chances

French Angelfish

common

Grey Angelfish

common

Stoplight Parrotfish

common

Schoolmaster Snapper

common

Bluestriped Grunt

common

Yellowtail Damselfish

common

Atlantic Long-spined Sea Urchin

common

Redband Parrotfish

common

Sea turtles

occasional

Eagle rays

occasional

Moray eels

occasional

Lobsters

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at the Sayonara Wreck begins with a boat entry, typically deploying divers southwest of the Turneffe Islands. The steel-hulled vessel lies at depths ranging from 12 to 18 meters, presenting a distinct listing position. Divers generally explore the wreck's exterior, observing its structural details and the extensive coral and sponge growth that has transformed it into an artificial reef. The route often involves circumnavigating the main hull, paying close attention to openings and encrusted sections where smaller marine life seeks shelter. Given the moderate currents, a drift dive profile may be adopted, allowing divers to move with the flow while observing the thriving ecosystem. The dive typically concludes with a safety stop conducted either over the wreck or along the adjacent natural reef, leveraging the generally excellent visibility.

Underwater photography

The Sayonara Wreck offers rich opportunities for underwater photography, particularly for wide-angle and macro shots. Its intact hull, adorned with vibrant hard and soft corals and sponges, creates compelling structural compositions for wide-angle lenses. Consider bringing a dome port to capture the entire wreck in the clear waters. For macro enthusiasts, the wreck's encrusted surfaces and numerous crevices host a variety of small reef fish, crabs, and nudibranchs, ideal for a macro lens. Due to the moderate currents, stable buoyancy is crucial for sharp images. External strobes are highly recommended to bring out the true colors of the corals and marine life, as the wreck sits within the shallower photic zone where natural light penetration is good.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Rendez-vous Point

  An advanced wall dive known for pelagic encounters.

• Turtle Ridge

  Intermediate dive in Turneffe Islands.

• Coco Point

  Intermediate dive in Turneffe Islands.

• Calabash Cut

  Intermediate dive in Turneffe Islands.

• Black Beauty

  Wall and reef dive, suitable for intermediate divers.

• The Elbow

  Famous for large fish aggregations and moderate currents.

Getting there & logistics

Access to the Sayonara Wreck is primarily via liveaboard or resort-based day boats departing from Turneffe Atoll. The closest international airport is Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) near Belize City. From there, transfers to Turneffe Atoll are typically arranged by resorts or liveaboard operators, often involving a boat transfer. Most diving trips to Turneffe Atoll range from 4 to 7 days, allowing divers to explore numerous sites within the atoll. The Sayonara Wreck is often integrated into itineraries that also visit other Turneffe sites like The Elbow or various wall dives. There are no specific individual permits required for diving this wreck beyond those covered by dive operators operating within the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve.

Safety & environment

Diving at the Sayonara Wreck requires adherence to standard safety protocols due to the presence of moderate currents. Divers should maintain excellent buoyancy control and be proficient in current management techniques. Always dive with a reputable operator and ensure your dive insurance covers scuba diving activities in Belize, including potential evacuation and recompression chamber treatment. The nearest recompression chamber is located in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, requiring boat transport which can take several hours depending on sea conditions and location within Turneffe Atoll. Emergency procedures and evacuation plans should be thoroughly understood before commencing any dive. It is crucial to respect marine life and avoid disturbing the corals and structure of the wreck to ensure its preservation.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Sayonara Wreck FAQ

Liveaboards diving Sayonara Wreck

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

Belize Aggressor IV

Belize

20 guests42.1 m

$356/day

Belize Aggressor III

Belize

18 guests33.5 m

$336/day