Whether you’re a Halloween enthusiast or have a curiosity for diving in unusual places, there are spooky dive sites around the world just waiting to be explored. From ghostly shipwrecks to eerie underwater caves, each dive promises thrills, chills and stories you won’t forget. Bring your bravest dive buddy, because these creepy dive sites are not for the faint of heart.
Read on to discover some of the world’s spookiest dive sites!
1. Underwater Statue of Jason Voorhees, USA
At the bottom of an abandoned, water-filled mine in Minnesota is one of the world’s most notorious killers. Jason Voorhees, star of the popular Friday the 13th horror film series, is entombed underwater, hockey mask and all.
Two dive buddies installed the statue, one of many submerged objects divers can discover while exploring open-pit mines near Crosby, Minnesota. Follow these directions from Scuba Diving magazine to visit Jason in his watery grave or simply book your trip below.
2. Yonaguni Monument, Japan
In 1986, divers discovered a mysterious rock formation near Japan’s Yonaguni Jima Island. Scuba Diving describes the structure as similar to a Mayan temple, “with narrow passageways, dead-straight steps and terraces, angled corners, holes, channels and intricately shaped rocks.”
To this day, no one is sure whether the Yonaguni pyramid is a natural formation or evidence of a civilization that existed 5,000 to 10,000 years ago. Is Yonaguni Japan’s Atlantis? Or is it evidence of alien visitation? Perhaps it’s simply the master architect Mother Nature showing us what she can do.
3. Turtle Tomb, Malaysia
Sipadan, Malaysia, is home to some of the world’s most beautiful diving and one of the creepiest dive spots. At a dive site called Turtle Tomb, hundreds of skeletons from turtles (and a few dolphins) litter the sandy bottom. The animals wandered into the cave and became trapped, unable to find their way out. For this reason, the dive is restricted to advanced divers with cavern training and experience.
4. Mine Diving, Sweden
You’ll need special permission from local authorities to dive the Tuna Hästberg mine. The adventure begins 80 meters/262 feet below ground. Divers carefully descend over 400 dark stairs in hard hats as their dive gear rides the trolley and winch alongside them. A local expert will suggest routes through the labyrinthine network of tunnels based on your training and experience. A guide can be arranged if needed. Sidemount and technical dive training are not required, but strongly recommended. Many of the passageways are narrow, and the majority of the site is an overhead environment.
5. A Flooded Village, Norway
Lyngnstøylsvatnet is a dive site, located in Norway, that tells a haunting story. This lake was once part of a farm in Norangsdallen, but everything changed on May 26, 1908. A sudden rockslide from the mountain Keipen blocked the river Lygna, flooding the valley and creating a lake almost overnight. As a result, the farmhouses of Norang and Stylstad, along with their roads and surrounding trees, became submerged and have been preserved in the cold waters for over a hundred years.
Today, Lyngnstøylsvatnet is a hidden gem that draws tourists and divers alike. Divers from all over Norway and beyond come to explore the ruins up close, experiencing the blend of adventure and history beneath the surface. Whether you’re seeking thrills or a glimpse into the past, Lyngnstøylsvatnet promises an unforgettable dive filled with mystery and beauty.
6. Salem Express, Egypt
In December 1991, the passenger ferry Salem Express collided with a reef in the Red Sea and sank. More than 500 people lost their lives, and dangerous conditions prevented the recovery of some bodies.
The wreck of the Salem Express is a controversial dive site as many feel it is disrespectful to recreationally dive a vessel that is also a grave site. Those who choose to visit the wreck can see artifacts including luggage, clothing, children’s toys and (tragically) two life rafts.
7. Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia
Known as the ‘Ghost Fleet of Truk Lagoon,’ the underwater graveyard in Chuuk Lagoon in Micronesia is home to over sixty Japanese warships and aircraft that sank during World War II. Today, colorful corals cover these wrecks, creating a hauntingly beautiful underwater museum. What makes it even spookier are the remnants left behind — gas masks, sake bottles and more — offering a chilling glimpse into the past.
Diving among these wrecks feels like stepping back in time. For anyone seeking a dive that’s both unforgettable and a little haunting, Chuuk Lagoon is the perfect spot.
8. Cenote Angelita, Mexico
Cenote Angelita in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is one of those dive sites that stays with you long after you surface. Despite its name, which means “Little Angel,” this cenote has an eerie, almost otherworldly atmosphere. The dive starts out calm, with crystal-clear water for the first 90 feet (27 meters), but at around 100 feet (30 meters), things get surreal. You’ll hit a dense layer of hydrogen sulfide that forms a thick, misty cloud — almost like an underwater river. Once you pass through it, the scene below feels like stepping into a different world, with sunken trees and branches reaching out through the murky haze.
The dive can be challenging due to the shift between fresh and saltwater, but if you’re up for the adventure, it’s an unforgettable experience!
9. Scapa Flow, Scotland
As one of the most important British naval bases during both World Wars, it’s little surprise Scapa Flow is a wreck-filled destination worth diving. But what truly earns this site its place among the world’s spookiest and best wreck diving destinations is the ghostly presence of the German WWI fleet.
Of the 52-vessel armada secretly scuttled by their own crews in 1919 — one of the largest mass sinkings in history — seven wrecks still remain. Among them loom three colossal battleships: SMS König, SMS Kronprinz Wilhelm and SMS Markgraf. Exploring these steel giants in the cold, green gloom feels like slipping into a haunted graveyard, where warships rest uneasily on the seabed, sunk not by battle, but by betrayal from within.
10. Great Blue Hole, Belize
At nearly 400 feet (120 meters) deep, a dive into Belize’s Great Blue Hole is less like entering a tropical paradise and more like dropping into a bottomless pit. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was once a massive limestone cave. That structure collapsed thousands of years ago, but today, it is one of the most famous and most unnerving dive sites in the world.
Topside images may suggest colorful reefs and schools of fish, but cross the rim and the story changes. Sunlight fades, coral vanishes and a cathedral of stalactites looms in the dark. The silence is broken only by the occasional ghostly appearance of a shark. Blacktips and reef sharks are most commonly seen here, while bull sharks and hammerheads can emerge out of the depths from time to time.
It’s Time For Your Own Spooky Adventures
Ready to explore some of the spookiest dive sites in the world? From haunting shipwrecks to spooky underwater caves, these locations offer a unique blend of adventure and mystery. PADI Adventures makes it easy to find and book diving experiences and connect with PADI Dive Centers around the globe. Click below to uncover your next dive trip with just the right amount of thrills and chills.
