Jado Trader

Jado Trader is a deep wreck dive featuring a large, intentionally scuttled refrigeration freighter lying nearly intact beside the Mile Deep Wall off Guanaja. The 79–80 m vessel was scuttled in 1987 to form an artificial reef; corals and sponges have colonized the hull and large tropical fish shelter around the structure, making the wreck the primary attraction. Entry is by boat only, with the vessel anchored near the site. The wreck base lies at about 30–32 m depth, while a nearby plateau rises to about 13 m; water temperatures are in the mid-20s °C and visibility often exceeds 20 m. Currents along the barrier reef wall can occur so dives are typically guided. The depth, overhead environment for wreck penetration, sharp or unstable surfaces, and a dense lionfish population inside the wreck require advanced training and caution. The Jado Trader is a 79–80 m refrigeration freighter scuttled in 1987 and resting on its starboard side with the bow facing the wall. The hull, superstructure and an open cargo hold in the bow remain largely intact; main deck and cargo holds can be penetrated by properly trained divers, though some passages are obstructed by growths of invasive lionfish. Two nearby coral pinnacles, one containing a volcanic cavern called Frisco’s Jewel, are often explored in conjunction with the wreck.