Text & Photograph by Tanya G. Burnett-Palmer

Diving this 300-foot freighter, intentionally sunk six years ago at a site called Mud Hole, is a treat. The ship is split into three pieces and is perfectly positioned between two lovely coral reefs. The setting is inspirational, but it's the lofty vertical presence of the stern that grabs my attention.

I hover just above the sand in 110 feet of clear Caribbean Sea and gaze up toward the sun that silhouettes her nearly 85-foot-high wheelhouse. The complex network of steel railings and stairways presents a visage reminiscent of New York City fire escapes. This sight has me grinning as I pull the viewfinder of my digital SLR camera housing close to my mask. I get very near to the ship by shooting with a superwide fisheye lens, then I throw a little light from my strobes on her railings to highlight the colorful encrusting growth that's embracing this wonderful artificial reef.

"The stern is the highlight. With its many levels of railings and stairways, it provides countless opportunities for exploration."

InDepth

Continental (continental.com) has nonstop flights to Roatan (RTB) from Houston for $640, connections from Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles for $729 and connections from Newark for $734. Delta (delta.com) has a nonstop from Atlanta for $831. You'll have more stops, but check Taca International (taca.com) for cheaper fares.