Diving the Haliburton Wreck in Utila, Honduras

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Austin Tuwiner

Dive Sites

September 1, 2026

I dove the Haliburton in March 2026 with Underwater Vision, by boat out of Utila, Honduras.

It's a 100 ft (30 m) cargo ship sunk intentionally in May 1998, now sitting at around 110 ft (34 m). It is the largest shipwreck in Utila.

Dive Log · Utila, Honduras · March 2026

The Haliburton

Dive Data from my Garmin Descent MK3i

Max Depth

110ft / 34m

Water Temp

80°F / 27°C

Visibility

100ft / 30m

Entry

Boat

Recommended Certification

Advanced Open Water

Shipwreck Honduras 📍 16.084067, -86.897045

About the Wreck

Diver on a selfie stick beside the Haliburton wreck with a torch below, Utila, Honduras

The Haliburton was a cargo vessel used to run supplies between oil platforms.

It was deliberately sunk in May 1998 and in the 25+ years since, the hull has become completely encrusted in coral with a thriving ecosystem built around it.

It's one of the most intact wreck dives in the Caribbean at this depth.

Grid of deck framing on the Haliburton wreck fading into blue, Utila, Honduras — Deck framing running the length of the hull.

The wreck is also a centerpiece of the Utila diving community.

Advanced open water and rescue diver courses are regularly conducted here, and it serves as a training ground for wreck penetration skills across the island's dive operators.

Over the years, divers have left objects inside. Keep an eye out as you move through and you'll find some unusual things.

The Dive

Diver finning along the hull of the Haliburton, Utila, Honduras — Swimming along the hull.

The boat ride from Utila town is under 20 minutes. Once you drop in, the wreck comes into view quickly.

The dive sits at around 110 ft (34 m), which means you're working with limited bottom time.

Our dive wrapped up in under 30 minutes as it's pretty deep and not a ton of surrounding reef.

Current on my dive was minimal to nonexistent, which makes it a very chill and safe deep dive.

Wreck Penetration

Row of windows along the wreck's superstructure with light coming through, The Haliburton, Utila, Honduras — Inside the bridge, looking out through the window frames.

Full penetration is possible and it's the highlight of the dive.

Most Utila operators require a wreck diver certification before they will let you inside.

Diver inside the bridge of the Haliburton wreck, Utila, Honduras — Inside the bridge. There is room to move but not much of it.

Dark interior corridor of the Haliburton wreck with a lit doorway ahead, Utila, Honduras — Deeper inside, with the way out showing as a lit doorway.

What Marine Life I Saw

Large grouper resting on the sand beside sea rods, The Haliburton, Utila, Honduras — A grouper sitting out on the sand beside the wreck.

The Haliburton has been underwater long enough that it functions as a full reef ecosystem.

On my dives I personally spotted eels, grouper, turtles, eagle rays, nurse sharks, pairs of queen angelfish, and barracuda.

Diving Conditions

Interior of the wreck's bridge looking out through the window frames, The Haliburton, Utila, Honduras — The same room from the other side. Twenty five years of growth on the frames.

Utila diving conditions are generally favorable year round.

Visibility regularly hits 80 to 100 ft (24 to 30 m) and the Haliburton benefits from its open water position away from the reefs.

I wore a 3mm wetsuit which is more than sufficient for Utila diving conditions.

If you are working your way through the Bay Islands, I also dove Mary's Place and the Odyssey over on Roatan.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Austin Tuwiner

I'm a PADI Divemaster based in South Florida.

With over a decade of diving experience, I help readers become better divers, buy their next piece of gear, and plan their dream dive vacation!

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