Dive Site: Jado Trader Wreck

About Jado Trader Wreck

The Jado Trader Wreck, located in the Bay Islands of Honduras, offers a fantastic wreck diving experience. This freighter, intentionally sunk, now rests as an artificial reef, inviting divers to explore its structure. The wreck measures an impressive 300 feet long, 50 feet wide, and stands 85 feet tall, positioning it among the larger wrecks in the Caribbean. Its sheer size provides ample opportunity for exploration, allowing divers to navigate its various sections and appreciate the scale of this underwater landmark. As part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, Roatan's waters are teeming with marine life, and the Jado Trader is no exception. While specific inhabitants of this wreck aren't detailed, other notable wrecks in the region host a vibrant array of marine creatures, including large groupers, parrotfish, and moray eels. Expect to encounter diverse fish populations and captivating macro critters drawn to the intricate surfaces and sheltered areas of the freighter. The artificial reef acts as a magnet for biodiversity, creating a dynamic ecosystem around its submerged hull. Water temperatures in Roatan typically range from 25-28°C (78-84°F) in summer and 24-27°C (75-80°F) in winter, occasionally dropping to 22°C (72°F) in January, making for comfortable diving conditions. Visibility is generally good, enhancing the experience of exploring such a substantial wreck. While the depth range for diving in Roatan is between 9-40 meters, wrecks often attract favorable currents, appealing to divers who enjoy a dynamic environment. The dive difficulty for large wrecks like this often falls within the intermediate to advanced range, depending on depth and current conditions, requiring good buoyancy control and potentially wreck specialty training for full penetration.

Dive site facts: Jado Trader Wreck

Depth

18–33 m

Typical dive

24–33 m, 50–60 min

Current

Weak

Visibility

22–28 m

Entry

Boat

Level

Advanced, wreck training for penetration

Dive type

Wreck, reef, photography

Region / port

Guanaja, Bay Islands

Coordinates

16.435, -85.89

Conditions & Currents

Currents at the Jado Trader Wreck are generally weak, contributing to typically calm diving conditions. However, local dive operators in Guanaja often adjust dive plans based on daily current variations, ensuring the best possible experience for divers. While the site is accessible for divers with advanced certification, an understanding of potential mild to moderate currents is beneficial, particularly for those planning wreck penetration. Visibility is consistently good, usually ranging between 22 to 28 meters, which aids in navigation and exploration of the freighter's structure and resident marine life. Entry is typically by boat, with straightforward descents due to the wreck's upright position and clear visibility.

Marine life & sighting chances

Green Moray

occasional

Large Grouper

common

Horse-eye Jack

common

Blackbar Soldierfish

occasional

Queen Triggerfish

occasional

Snapper

occasional

Glassy Sweeper

Summer · common

Hawksbill Turtle

occasional

Spotted Eagle Ray

rare

Lettuce Sea Slug

occasional

Cleaner Shrimp

occasional

Blennies

occasional

Nurse Shark

Green season · occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving the Jado Trader typically begins with a boat entry, directly over the wreck. The ship rests upright on a sandy bottom at 33 meters, allowing for a controlled descent to the deck, which lies around 24 meters. Divers often start by exploring the exterior of the hull, observing the extensive coral growth and marine life inhabiting its surfaces. For those with appropriate training, penetration into the holds, engine room, and bridge is a key highlight, allowing exploration of the ship's interior. The dive profile is often multi-level, starting deep and gradually ascending to shallower sections of the wreck. The top of the wheelhouse, at 18 meters, makes an ideal location for the latter part of the dive, observing schooling fish. A safety stop is conducted at 5 meters, typically near the mooring line or a nearby reef section, allowing divers to decompress while observing the surrounding marine environment.

Underwater photography

The Jado Trader Wreck offers diverse photographic opportunities, from wide-angle shots of the expansive 75-meter freighter to macro details of the rich encrusting life. A wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing the ship's overall structure, including the wheelhouse, deck, and cargo holds, especially with the excellent visibility. Consider bringing an external strobe to illuminate the wreck's darker areas and bring out the vibrant colors of the corals and sponges. For interior shots during penetration dives, a video light or a powerful torch can be essential to capture the ambiance and any hidden inhabitants. Focus on the schooling fish, such as horse-eye jacks and glassy sweepers, which often congregate around the wreck. For macro photographers, the hull's encrustations, including hydroids and tube sponges, host smaller critters like lettuce sea slugs, cleaner shrimps, and blennies, requiring a macro lens. Maintaining excellent buoyancy is crucial, especially during penetration, to avoid stirring up silt and to protect the delicate marine growth on the wreck.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Vertigo Wall

  A wall dive dropping to 51 meters on the barrier reef, known for pelagic sightings.

• Mary's Place

  A famous Roatán dive site with lava-cut crevices and soft coral overhangs.

• El Aguila Wreck

  A 70-meter cargo ship sunk near Roatán, providing another excellent wreck dive.

• The Odyssey Wreck

  A 91-meter wreck near Roatán, one of the larger artificial reefs in the region.

• Coco View Wall

  A prominent wall dive known for its dramatic drop-offs and diverse marine life.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Guanaja and the Jado Trader Wreck typically involves flying into Roatán (RTB) or La Ceiba (LCE) and then taking a short connecting flight with Lanhsa Airlines to Guanaja (GJA). Some resorts can arrange direct charter flights from Roatán for groups. Most dive trips to Guanaja are part of an all-inclusive dive resort package, often lasting 7 to 10 days, covering accommodation, meals, and multiple daily boat dives. Departure points for dive boats are usually from resorts around Savannah Bight or Mangrove Bight. There are no specific marine park fees mentioned for the Jado Trader, but it's advisable to confirm with your chosen dive operator.

Safety & environment

Diving the Jado Trader Wreck requires advanced certification, and any penetration into the wreck's interior demands specialized wreck diving training due to overhead environments and potential entanglement hazards. Always dive with a reputable local operator who provides thorough briefings on the wreck's layout and current conditions. Emergency recompression chambers are available in Roatán, approximately a 1.5-hour flight or longer boat journey away, emphasizing the importance of carrying comprehensive dive insurance that covers emergency evacuation and medical treatment. Always dive within your training limits, maintain proper buoyancy, and avoid solo penetration. Marine life, while generally docile, should be observed without touching to prevent harm to both diver and ecosystem.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Jado Trader Wreck FAQ

Liveaboards diving Jado Trader Wreck

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

Roatan Aggressor

Honduras

18 guests31.1 m

$309/day