Wreck diving offers a fascinating glimpse into the past, from sunken warships and historic cargo vessels to deliberately scuttled ships and aircraft. These underwater time capsules also provide habitats for marine life, creating dive sites that are as rewarding to explore as they are rich in history.
Whether you’re hoping to earn your PADI Wreck Diver Specialty or looking for inspiration for your next dive trip, these wreck dives around the world deserve a place on your bucket list.
1. Thistlegorm, Red Sea, Egypt
Be sure to check out the cargo on the Thistlegorm, a ship sunk in Egypt in 1941. There are bikes, rifles, trucks and railway equipment, all encrusted in marine growth.
Be aware of the currents, which can be surprisingly strong.
2. Odyssey, Roatán, Honduras
Split into three sections, this photogenic wreck in Roatán, Honduras, is one of the world’s most impressive wreck dives. The wreck’s vertical structure makes for a unique underwater experience.
3. U-352, North Carolina, USA
Resting in the waters of the Atlantic, the U-352 submarine is one of the best-known submarine wrecks in the United States and is found off the coast of North Carolina. Though it has eroded over time, the interior hull is intact and ripe for exploration.
The sub was sunk in 1942, when the Germans fired on the US Coast Guard. The sub returned to the surface, saving the crew, but it was ultimately destroyed, making its way to the darkened bottoms.
4. USS Kittiwake, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Decommissioned in 1994, the USS Kittiwake was a submarine rescue ship. One of its most notable missions was recovering equipment from the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. In 2011, the ship was deliberately sunk off Grand Cayman to create an artificial reef. Today, its structure attracts a variety of marine life, including large groupers and jacks, while its clear waters make it a popular site for divers and snorkelers.
5. SS President Coolidge, Vanuatu
Originally a passenger liner, the SS President Coolidge transported wealthy passengers around the world before being converted into a troopship during World War II. Much of its original luxury remained, giving the ship a distinctive character.
While entering the harbor at Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, on 26 October, 1942, the ship struck two American mines. Most of the troops aboard escaped, but the ship sank. Today, divers can explore its enormous structure and discover military equipment, vehicles and other remnants of its wartime service.
6. Jake Seaplane, Palau, Micronesia
Perched on a reef in shallow water, the Jake Seaplane in Palau, Micronesia, is one of the most fascinating aircraft wrecks in the world. Divers can get a close look at the cockpit of this remarkably well-preserved World War II aircraft.
Making for splendid photographs, the seaplane appears to be stalled in place. The exact circumstances of its sinking are unclear, but the wreck is an interesting stop when visiting Koror Harbor.
7. USAT Liberty, Bali, Indonesia
Found offshore from Tulamben, Bali, the USAT Liberty was a cargo ship torpedoed by a Japanese submarine during World War II. The damaged vessel was towed to Bali and beached at Tulamben.
In 1963, seismic activity associated with the eruption of Mount Agung caused the wreck to slide into the sea.
Hundreds of fish can be found around the wreck, so enjoy the stark contrast of the steel hull and the vibrant animals that make their home here.
8. Pelinaion, St. David’s Head, Bermuda
The massive, 385-foot (117-meter) Pelinaion is a wonder to behold. During a blackout in 1939, the captain struck a reef off Bermuda. The mighty ship broke into many pieces, making an excellent diving spot for adventurous explorers today.
There are two memorable routes on the Pelinaion, one at the bow, where the hull and reef form an eerie cavern, and another where a chute is created. Massive groupers and tarpon make this wreck their home, so be on the lookout for the local residents alongside the impressive steam engine.
9. HMNZS Canterbury, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
The HMNZS Canterbury was a Leander-class frigate in the Royal New Zealand Navy. It was decommissioned in 2005 and sunk in Deep Water Cove in 2007 to provide a wreck site for divers to explore. It sits upright on a sandy bottom, with plenty of entry and exit points, making it a popular wreck dive.
10. SS Yongala, Townsville, Australia
After more than 100 years beneath the Australian sea, the SS Yongala has become home to a variety of marine life, including large green sea turtles. Sharks, octopuses and schools of fish can also be found around the wreck.
11. Douglas Dakota DC-3, Kaş, Türkiye
Kaş is a popular area for scuba divers due to its excellent visibility, which can reach 130 feet (40 meters), and its wide range of dive sites. One of the popular wrecks in the area is the Douglas Dakota DC-3, which was deliberately sunk in 2009 after serving in the Turkish military. The aircraft is quite a sight for divers, measuring 65 feet (20 meters) in length with a wingspan of 100 feet (30 meters). It has since become an artificial reef, providing a home for marine life.
12. Hilma Hooker, Bonaire
There’s an interesting story behind the Hilma Hooker! Used to smuggle drugs in the 1980s, the ship was found to have 25,000 pounds (11,300 kilograms) of marijuana onboard, hidden in a secret compartment. After being tied up at the pier in Bonaire for months with nobody claiming ownership, it was towed offshore, and it eventually sank after developing a list. Today, the Hilma Hooker is a popular wreck diving site lying near a double reef system.
13. Bianca C, Grand Anse, Grenada
Sunk in the fall of 1961, the Bianca C suffered a fatal explosion in its engine room while anchored in St. George’s Harbor, Grenada. Most of the crew survived, but the ship eventually sank after being towed away from the harbor. The Bianca C is one of the largest diveable wrecks in the Caribbean, with plenty of different areas to explore over multiple dives.
Ready To Explore the World’s Best Wreck Dives?
From historic shipwrecks to fascinating underwater aircraft, wreck diving offers a unique way to explore the past and discover the marine life that now calls these sites home.
Want to take your wreck diving skills to the next level? The PADI Wreck Diver Specialty course can help you build the knowledge and skills to explore wrecks more confidently. Find a course at your local PADI Dive Center or Resort.
Ready to plan your next underwater adventure? Visit PADI Travel to explore dive resorts and liveaboards around the world.
This blog was originally written by Bridget Pearson and published on the Diviac Magazine.
