What do you plan to do on your next vacation ?

Welcome to Stanleysubmarines

About Roatan Institute of Deep sea Exploration

Captain Karl Stanley’s deep diving submarine Idabel , based on the Caribbean island of Roatan, Honduras, is the greatest underwater adventure in the world.

Idabel will take you deeper into the unexplored Cayman Trench than most people have ever ventured— illuminating depths down to 2,000 feet (610 meters) below the surface. Through the submarine’s large plexiglass viewing bubble you will see a wide variety of deep sea animal life rarely encountered by humans.
 
Idabel docks at Half Moon Bay in West End, Roatan, in the Bay Islands of Honduras.z

Submarine

Deep sea Submarine Idabel

The vehicle is a one-of-a-kind deep diving submersible designed and custom-built for her exact location on Roatan, Honduras. The sub, which is the first in history constructed of three different sized spheres, is designed to safely transport three people to 3,000 feet (915 meters) below sea level.

The submersible is named “Idabel” in honor of the town in Oklahoma where it was born, and whose inhabitants were more than helpful in the process.

The process of building the sub is featured in a documentary by Rooftop Pictures. Click here to see their site.

Play Video

Ready to Start Diving

Suspendisse justo neque, cursus in consequat in, faucibus et odio. Donec varius accumsanorci, at tristique lectus rhoncus quis.

Record

2500

Dives

Our Pilots

Submarine Pilots

Karl Stanley

Karl Stanley has spent over three-quarters of his life pursuing his desire to explore the planet’s “final frontier”. He has designed and built two deep-diving submersibles which he has piloted in three different countries. At the age of 24, he began his career taking expeditions down to 700 feet off Roatan, Honduras.

You may recognize us from our work with

Insight

Latest Blogs

At the beginning of June, Karl and I took the time to plan our dives for the rest of the summer based on my work 

The process of building the sub is featured in a documentary 

New Archives

Top 10: Extreme Vacations

Only one thing better than experimenting with high-tech vehicles is turning one into a giant fishing lure — with you inside as bait. Stanley Submarines’ custom-built, submersible Idable ferries you down 1,500 feet off the coast of Roatan, and attached to the sub is live bait designed to lure the seldom seen six-gilled shark.

You can read more at: http://uk.askmen.com/top_10/travel/top-10-extreme-vacations_1.html

Read More »
News Updates

Expedition to 2000 feet

However, to get there was a long way. First of all, we finally left our car in Belize with a mechanic and were free again. In our usual rush tempo we headed to Honduras. After 3 days travelling almost non-stop we reached the island Roatan. Another Caribbean dream, unfortunately most dreams are pricy. Anyway, the decision for Roatan was clear because of one reason. Karl Stanley takes tourist with his sub Idabel on underwater expedition to a depth of 300m, 460m and 610m.

You can read more at: http://www.thebestworldtrip.com/en/component/content/article/199.html

Read More »
News Updates

Discovering Deeper Waters

Though many people visit Roatan for their love of the ocean, most often their love remains shallow and superficial. As opposed to the mere 130-foot depths explored by Roatan scuba divers, the world’s oceans have an average depth of over 14,000 feet. Most of the planet is covered in waters that have never seen light and are inhabited by otherworldly animals adapted to this extreme environment. Currently the most accessible point for people to explore this world for themselves is right here on Roatan.

You can read more at: http://www.bayislandsvoice.com/201001.html

Read More »

Insight

Latest Blogs

At the beginning of June, Karl and I took the time to plan our dives for the rest of the summer based on my work 

The process of building the sub is featured in a documentary 

Changing Seas: Living Fossil Episode

deep Sea / June 20 , 2022
2 comments

At the beginning of June, Karl and I took the time to plan our dives for the rest of the summer based on my work schedule, his dive schedule...

Sharks Attack Submarine

deep Sea / June 20 , 2022
2 comments

At the beginning of June, Karl and I took the time to plan our dives for the rest of the summer based on my work schedule, his dive schedule...

Sleepless in Submersible

deep Sea / June 20 , 2022
2 comments

At the beginning of June, Karl and I took the time to plan our dives for the rest of the summer based on my work schedule, his dive schedule...