The Roatan shipwreck snorkeling 3-stops is a unique local & historical experience. On this shore excursion, we will take you to the Big Bight village, a small afro-English town located on the mid-north shore of Roatan island with an incredible and unique ocean view and conserving the island lifestyle like old days.
There are more shipwrecks around Roatan island, but in this article, we will focus on the “Snyg” shipwreck. This shipwreck is located on the north shore of the island, below we will give you some history and what our shore excursion includes.
The island is beloved for its stunning beaches and superb marine life thanks to being located along the second biggest barrier reef on earth. If you are considering this place as your next tropical getaway, let us take you to those uncommercial areas and enjoy a local snorkeling experience.
Happy guests enjoying the Shipwreck Snorkeling
Visiting from California, USA 
Enjoying the blues 
Turquoise Warm Waters 
Starfish bank snorkeling site 
Birdeye view from the Snyg Shipwreck 
History of the “Snyg” Old Steamer Shipwreck
It was the night of August 18, 1899, and a northwestern wind had been blowing on Roatan for over three days. On the north shore of Roatan, a 100-foot metal boat Snyg battled the seas seeking shelter from her journey from Florida to La Ceiba. Snyg was a steamship and like many boats of that era had a secondary means of power: a mast and two booms. Snyg was flying a Greek flag and carrying live cargo: mules and oxen destined to work at the banana plantations of northern Honduras. Her captain and part of the crew were Greek.
The inhabitants of the village of Crawfish Rock were woken up in the middle of the night by lights and sounds of distress. There were oxen bellowing and mules kicking. Snyg was in trouble and its crew was trying to find the channel entrance across the reef. This proved not to be an insurmountable challenge. Boat navigation and weather were quite different 120 years ago.
“Back then the only way to navigate was to use a sextant. You had to locate a celestial body and a horizon line. That was often not possible,” said Charles Osgood, 69, a retired boat captain and a boat engineer from Roatan. “We used to have northern [winds] that would blow for four, five days. The island would run short of food. The weather patterns have changed now.”
George Edward Osgood, from Coxen Hole, was asked to help the distressed Snyg. “She was billed, and way on top of the reef,” remembers Charles Osgood, grandson of George Edward. George Edward was in his 30s at the time and ran a boat repair business on Osgood Cay.
The Cay was strategically placed just south of Coxen Hole and it used to be named Bennett Cay, then Big Cay, then Osgood Cay, and now it is called Maya Cay.
The Cay belonging to Guillermo Bruchard was eventually purchased at a government auction in 1912. George Edward held it in family hands for a hundred years.
What is included in this snorkeling tour?
This is a 3 stop snorkeling tour including the following:
- Round Transportation from cruise port, vacation rentals or resorts
- Snorkeling Gear
- 3 Stop Snorkeling: Shipwreck, starfish & coral reef garden
- Tropical refreshment (drinks & snacks)
- Stop for photos
- Local guide
- Stop for local shopping (Optional)
- Check rates & full shore excursion here
When to go snorkeling Roatan island?
The climate in Roatan is tropical. Snorkeling is possible all year-round, except very occasionally when the weather and sea conditions don’t allow it because of the storms or strong winds.
The three months of the rainy season (from October to December) account for as much precipitation as the other nine other months put together (January to September, the summer season).
December and January are the coolest months of the year (about 77°F/25°C), and July and August are the warmest (an average of almost 30°). The water temperature is between 79 and 86°F (26 and 30°C) all through the year, with a peak in August-September.
Check our shore excursions section: Click Here also please check our reviews at TripAdvisor and if you want to learn more about the wildlife experience we are ready to customize your day by adding more fun activities.