Hondureño Shipwreck in Isla Mujeres

Hondureño, Isla Mujeres. Photo credit: Lucia Cherni

Near Isla Mujeres, you can find the shipwreck of The Hondureño, a massive shrimp boat that sank while trying to escape one of the island's most ferocious hurricanes. The site is located not far from North Beach and offers excellent visibility, but due to the challenging conditions, it is best suited for experienced divers.

The Hondureño is a shipwreck on the National Park's outskirts, just 3 kilometres (2 miles) from North Beach. A quick 25-minute boat ride will take you to the remains of this large shipwreck, one of the biggest in the area. Once a remarkable 36-meter (120-foot) shrimp boat, it has a poignant history.

Unlike many other shipwrecks around Isla Mujeres, which were intentionally sunk to create artificial reefs and dive sites, the story of the Hondureño is different. This ship fell victim to Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, one of the strongest hurricanes to strike the area. The captain was out in the open ocean during the fierce storm and attempted to outrun it, but tragically, the boat sank while battling the relentless waves. Hurricane Gilbert devastated the island, and the locals still remember this event vividly.

The wreck is located 21 meters (70 feet) below the surface and offers excellent visibility of up to 20 meters (65 feet), making it a fantastic yet challenging dive site. Due to its depth and the often medium to strong currents, this location is recommended for advanced or experienced divers.

The wreck's remains have become a habitat for a diverse array of marine life. While diving at this site, you can expect to encounter various species, such as cobia fish, rainbow parrotfish, stonefish, green moray eels, nurse sharks, and, like all the wrecks around the island, it is a popular spot for eagle rays.

Depth

21 meters / 70 feet

Boat Ride

20-25 min

Dive Type

Drift - Medium to Strong Current

Deep Dive

Artificial Reef - Wreck

Experience Level 

Advanced Open Water, Experienced Diver

Recent Dive Experience

Average Visibility Underwater 

20 mt / 65 feet

Average Water Temp

26 C°/ 79F°

Dive Time

30-35 min (Safety Stop Required)

To view the fish surveyed here with reef.org, click HERE.

👉 [Dive Hondureño]

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  Hondureño shipwreck with lots of fish

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  Diver at Hondureño shipwreck, Isla Mujeres with lots of fish

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  Hondureño shipwreck, Isla Mujeres in pieces

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  Diver at Hondureño shipwreck with fish

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  Diver at Hondureño shipwreck, Isla Mujeres

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  Diver with shipwreck Hondureño in Isla Mujeres

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  Diver with fish at shipwreck Hondureño

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  Diver at shipwreck Hondureño

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  Diver amongst fish at Hondureño shipwreck

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  Diver under shipwreck, Hondureño, Isla Mujeres

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  Diver at shipwreck with fish

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  Diver and fish at shipwreck Hondureño, Isla Mujeres

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  Diver and Hondureño shipwreck Isla Mujeres

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  Lots of fish at shipwreck, Hondureño. Isla Mujeres

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  Dark eerie photo of shipwreck, Hondureño in Isla Mujeres

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  Shipwreck Hondureño in parts in Isla Mujeres

Tracy Gunn is the founder and owner of Pocna Dive Center on Isla Mujeres, Mexico. A former banker turned adventurer, Tracy left a decade-long corporate career to pursue her passion for diving and island life. With over 35 years of diving experience and 24 years of living on Isla Mujeres, she now serves as a PADI Course Director, training the next generation of divers at her dive school. When she’s not underwater, Tracy shares her love for the island and the ocean through engaging blogs about diving, marine life, and the culture of Isla Mujeres. 

Interested in reading more from this author?

Blogs about Isla Mujeres, Mexico, and Recreational Scuba Diving: click here

Blogs about Instructor Development Courses and Professional Scuba Diving: click here