El Aguila

El Aguila is a classic wreck dive built around a purposely-sunk cargo freighter, offering a tilted hull, mast and collapsed decks that provide vertical relief and natural swim-throughs. The wreck is heavily colonized by corals, sponges and other reef life, making the structure itself the primary attraction. The site is boat-access only with entry from a mooring buoy; a common route is to descend the mooring line at the stern and swim the length of the ship toward the bow, then ascend along the nearby coral-covered wall or the wreck. Depth ranges from the surface to about 33 m, with the bow rising to roughly 18–20 m, so upper sections are within open-water limits while the keel and seabed require advanced capability. Currents are usually mild, visibility is often very good, and water temperatures generally stay in the mid to high 20s °C. The wreck has sharp edges and narrow swim-throughs that require careful buoyancy control, and it is not recommended for complete beginners planning to reach full depth. The ship was intentionally sunk in 1997 to create an artificial reef; the vessel was about 70 m long. Hurricane Mitch in 1998 broke the wreck into three main sections, leaving collapsed decks, open hatches and a wreck that lies on a sandy slope at roughly a 45 degree angle, producing natural tunnels and interior swim-throughs.