Top 15 Wreck Dives in the World

It is estimated that over three million shipwrecks are scattered across the ocean floor all around the world. Given this, it can be quite challenging to decide which ones are worth visiting and which are worth passing up. To help you plan out your own shipwreck bucket list, we’ve compiled below our top fifteen picks for the best wreck dives in the world!

 

USAT Liberty, Bali, Indonesia

 

Located just off the coast of Bali, USAT Liberty is one of the most famous wreck dives in Indonesia. Sunk by a Japanese submarine during WWII, this army cargo ship is now covered in coral and plays host to a large population of reef fish. While it’s not possible to dive within the ship itself, many of the wreck’s contents, including its guns and toilets, can be seen from afar. 

 

SS Yongala, Australia

 

Often regarded as one of the best wreck dives in the world, SS Yongala is a former cargo and passenger ship that sank during a cyclone off the coast of Queensland in 1911. Today the wreck has become an integral part of the Great Barrier Reef, drawing in a variety of marine life, including reef fish, octopi, turtles, sea snakes, manta rays, and sharks.

 

Fujikawa Maru, Chuuk, Micronesia

 

Situated in the midst of a WWII graveyard, Fujikawa Maru is a Japanese transport ship that the Allied Forces sank during an attack on Chuuk lagoon. Since then, the shipwreck has remained largely undisturbed and is mostly intact, providing divers with the unique opportunity to venture inside and explore the ship’s cargo, which includes several untouched fighter planes. 

 

SS Thistlegorm, Egypt, Red Sea

 

Widely considered the best dive in the Red Sea, SS Thistlegorm is a British merchant ship that was sunk during WWII by the Axis forces. Located to the north, just outside of the Ras Mohammed Nature Preserve, the vessel was carrying a variety of cargo when it sank. Today divers can spot everything from trucks to rifles and motorbikes at the wreck.

 

SS President Coolidge, Vanuatu

 

The SS President Coolidge is a luxury liner that was turned into a military passenger ship during WWII. Sunk just off the coast of Vanuatu by friendly mines, the large wreck, and its surrounding area are now protected as a marine reserve. Divers to this site can expect to find a variety of military artifacts alongside a healthy coral reef teeming with marine life.




Hilma Hooker, Bonaire

 

Unlike many wrecks on our list, Hilma Hooker wasn’t a casualty of war but rather that of drug smuggling. When the ship’s crew was detained in Bonaire, the vessel was left abandoned just offshore, where it deteriorated and eventually sank. Due to its convenient location right in between two reefs, it has become one of the most popular dive sites near the island.

 

MS Zenobia, Cyprus

 

Located just outside Larnaca, Cyprus, MS Zenobia is a Swedish ferry that sank on her maiden voyage in 1980. The casualty of unexpected technical problems, the ship, and its hundred-plus passenger vehicles now lie 42 meters below the surface. Today the wreck is a haven for marine life and is frequented by a variety of fish, including barracudas and groupers.

 

USS Saratoga, Bikini Atoll Marshall Islands

 

The USS Saratoga survived WWII only to be sunk by the United States during a series of nuclear weapons testing. Located just off Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, the wreck is now an integral part of the reef system, where it plays host to an abundance of marine life. Access to the dive site is limited by boat, however, as Bikini Atoll remains radioactive and uninhabitable. 

 

San Francisco Maru, Chuuk, Micronesia

 

Situated within the depths of Chuuk Lagoon, San Francisco Maru is another casualty of WWII. Sunk during an attack by the US Navy, the wreck was originally a cargo ship for the Japanese and carried artillery such as mines, guns, and tanks. Today the ship and its cargo lies under 64 meters of water and are only accessible to those with deep diving and wreck certifications. 

 

USS Kittiwake, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

 

Widely regarded as one of the best wreck dives in the Caribbean, USS Kittiwake is a former WWII military ship that the Cayman Islands purposely sank as a means to attract more tourists. Located close to the shore and in relatively shallow waters, this wreck dive is an excellent option for beginner divers. It can even be viewed and explored from above by snorkelers.

 

USS Oriskany, Florida, USA

 

Identified as the largest artificial reef in the world, USS Oriskany is an aircraft carrier that is located just off the coast of Pensacola, Florida. The US Navy actually sank the ship in 2006 in the hopes of creating an artificial reef. Today a number of fish call the shipwreck home as the coral continues to develop and spread across the dive site.




Iro Maru, Palau

 

Considered to be the best wreck dives in Palau, Iro Maru is a Japanese oil tanker that was sunk by the US during WWII. The ship sits upright and remains in excellent condition, offering divers the opportunity to explore within and around the vessel. Divers are also likely to encounter a wide variety of marine life at the wreck, as a vibrant coral reef now covers the ship.

 

Bianca C, Grenada

 

The Bianca C is the only ship on our list to have sunk twice. Originally torpedoed in WWII during its construction, the vessel was raised from the sea bed and refinished as a cruise liner. It served this purpose for twelve years before catching fire and sinking off the coast of Grenada. Today it lies between a reef system and the open ocean and has become a haven for both small and large marine life.

 

Jake Seaplane, Palau

 

Located off the coast of Palau, the Jake Seaplane is a Japanese Navy aircraft that was sunk during WWII. Today, it is covered in a variety of coral and plays host to an abundance of marine life, including octopi and white tip reef sharks. Sitting in only 15 meters of water, the wreck is easily accessible for beginner divers. 

 

Graveyard of the Atlantic, North Carolina, USA

 

Just off the coast of North Carolina in the United States is an area of ocean that many refer to as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Home to over 600 shipwrecks dating as far back as the 1500s, there are several dive sites to visit and explore. One of the most popular is that of W.E. Hutton, a freight ship that was sunk by the Germans during WWII.




References:

 

World Atlas: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/how-many-shipwrecks-are-there.html

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