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Love Rust? Visit these 9 top Wreck Diving Destinations
Wreck diving is a fascinating way to experience history first hand, learn new dive skills and explore abundant marine life in concentrated areas. It offers unusual photographic opportunities of wreck structures covered in corals, plus the chance to navigate the inside of eerie wrecks and find their cargo.
Once thought to be for experienced divers only, there are wrecks suitable for new and advanced divers alike, plus deep wrecks for tech divers only.
No matter your wreck diving preference, there’s bound to be something for you.
Find out more in our guide to nine of the best wreck diving destinations…
Egypt’s Red Sea
A mecca for scuba divers, Egypt’s Red Sea offers colourful reef diving and a wealth of wrecks for all experience levels to enjoy. The SS Thistlegorm, Egypt’s most famous wreck, is a great place to start your Egypt diving adventure.
Sitting in the Northern Red Sea since 1941, this wreck is a huge 122 meters long and you can explore the interior and exterior with ease. Full of motorbikes, trucks, guns and other cargo, you’ll be kept well-entertained as you discover the Thistlegorm’s many highlights.
Abu Nuhas ‘the ships graveyard’ hosts five of the best Red Sea wrecks; the Giannis D, Chrisoula K, Kimon M, Rosalie Moller and the Carnatic.
The 1869 Carnatic is a must-do dive for wreck fans. She’s the oldest Red Sea shipwreck accessible to divers.
When to go: There’s no bad time to visit the Red Sea.
Liveaboard options: The Emperor Echo offers both Southern Wrecks safaris and Get Wrecked itineraries, allowing you to make the most of your wreck diving time in the north and south.
Truk Lagoon, Micronesia
If you’re looking to combine far-flung idyllic island vistas with wreck diving, Micronesia’s Truk Lagoon could be for you.
Truk Lagoon, an old Japanese naval base in WWII, was attacked in 1944 by the US in Operation Hailstone; which resulted in more than 60 ships and 200 airplanes sinking. The lagoon now has more than 48 wreck dive sites to dive and the waters are filled with historical artefacts.
Nature is slowly taking over at Truk Lagoon and the wrecks are covered in bright corals and surrounded by schools of groupers, barracuda, sea turtles and numerous reef fish. The diving is easy-going thanks to the calm lagoon waters and there are many wrecks at 18 to 40 meters, plus a good selection of wrecks at 40 to 60 meters for tech divers.
Don’t miss the San Francisco Maru or the Shinkoku Maru for night wreck diving.
When to go: All year
Liveaboard options: The Truk Master offers year-round Truk Lagoon safaris. The Thorfinn is ideal for tech divers, offering special tech-wreck diving packages.
Palau, Micronesia
Another popular choice for Micronesia diving, Palau offers the best of both worlds: excellent wreck diving and a variety of other dive sites. It’s ideal for divers who want to try wreck diving whilst also enjoying reef dives and pelagic action in the big blue.
Be sure to dive the Iro Maru if you can. This large freighter, sunk at Palau in 1944, sits proud in the water. She’s a great wreck dive for corals, critter hunting and enjoying a multitude of reef fish.
When to go: November to April has the most pelagics and the best water visibility.
Liveaboard options: The Ocean Hunter III is a good small Palau liveaboard that works with divers to develop custom itineraries whenever possible.
Cayman Islands
You’ll certainly be busy at the Cayman Islands with over 350 dive sites to explore and numerous islands to cruise. If your focus is on wreck diving, you won’t be disappointed with the wrecks on offer there.
The USS Kittiwake, an impressive US submarine rescue vessel, is one of the iconic Cayman Islands wrecks to dive.
She sits in crystal-clear waters and has spacious corridors for easy navigation. She also makes a great night dive.
Other good Cayman Islands wreck options include the Balboa and Ore Verde wrecks, which can also be dived at night.
When to go: All year, though May and June have the best dive conditions.
Liveaboard options: The Cayman Aggressor V offers safaris that include wreck diving.
Solomon Islands
Another top destination for history buffs, the unspoilt Solomon Islands are home to numerous WWII wrecks. Don’t miss Iron Bottom Sound. This well-known sound contains over 200 ships and 690 aircraft, all sunk during the battle of Guadalcanal during the 1940s. You can dive amongst Japanese and American military relics, including minesweepers, destroyers, submarines, planes and troop carriers. There are complex wrecks for experienced divers, plus easy-to-navigate options for those newer to wreck diving.
Covered in corals, the wrecks make great photographic subjects and are often visited by mantas, sharks and pelagic fish.
When to go: All year
Liveaboard options: The Solomons PNG Master is a popular choice and offers unique Solomons WWII Wreck Week safaris.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Great Barrier Reef might not be an obvious choice for wreck diving but it has one of the world’s best-preserved wrecks to offer; the SS Yongala. Sitting just off the Queensland coast, in the centre of the GBR, this wreck is stunning. She sank in 1911 and is in great condition, protected by the Historic Shipwrecks Act, which prevents anyone from penetrating the wreck.
The interior is virtually untouched and the wreck is crowded with marine life including thriving corals and fish life. You can spot bull rays around the wreck and you might even see bull sharks. Just make sure you dive there multiple times; there is that much to see.
When to go: June to August offers the best water visibility.
Liveaboard options: The Spoilsport liveaboard offers limited Yongala expeditions, ranging from 2 to 4-night trips.
Coron, Philippines
Coron is well off the beaten path and is fast gaining a reputation as one of the best places in the world for wreck diving. There is a fleet of WWII Japanese supply shipwrecks to discover around Coron’s islands and the vessels range from small gun boats through to tenders and tankers. Many of the wrecks are still intact with equipment onboard, truly bringing history to life.
The Irako, an intact Japanese refrigeration ship, is considered one of the best Philippines wrecks and has resident groupers, turtles and rays. The Nanshin Maru is a good choice for new wreck divers, as she sits in shallower clear waters.
Other highlights include the intact crane on the Akitsushima and the striking Olympia Maru freighter. Whichever wreck you dive, be sure to search for the diverse and colourful macro life found there.
When to go: November to May.
Liveaboard options: The Flying Dolphin III small catamaran caters to just 8 guests and is a unique option for Coron wreck diving.
Bali, Indonesia
If you’re heading to Indonesia, make sure you take time to visit Bali and dive the USAT Liberty shipwreck. Sitting at a depth of 8 to 30 meters, she’s suitable for new divers to experience and is absolutely covered in corals. As well as corals, the wreck hosts abundant reef fish and garden eels. You can spot blacktip reef sharks cruising the wreck, plus schools of barracuda drifting by. Make sure you’re in the water early to avoid any dive crowds and enjoy the marine life all to yourself.
When to go: All year.
Liveaboard options: The Mermaid I offers Bali dive safaris that include the USAT Liberty.
Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands
Bikini Atoll was made famous by US atomic bomb tests in the 1940s and 1950s, which included dropping a 15 megaton TNT hydrogen atomic bomb on a mock naval fleet in Bikini atoll. One thousand times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, it left a crater 2km wide and 74 meters deep; creating numerous wrecks. Now open for diving, Bikini Atoll has an abundance of tech-wreck dive sites lying below recreational dive limits and full of marine life. If you’re an experienced tech-wreck diver looking for an adventure, don’t miss it.
When to go: May to July
Liveaboard options: The Truk Master offers Bikini Atoll safaris from May to July each year.
This article was written by divers and writers at LiveAboard.com
Ho Ho Ho! Vobster Quay’s recording-breaking charity Santa diving event returns on Sunday 15th December 2024 for another round of festive fundraising frivolities. Run in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes, this ever-popular annual fundraising event aims to raise sack-loads of cash for these two very deserving charities.
Divers of all levels are invited to grab their Santa outfits – and as much festive cheer as they can muster – and head down to Vobster Quay near Mells, Somerset for a mass sponsored Santa dive in aid of charity. In previous years, the event has attracted divers from the far corners of the UK to join in the festive merriment for a final festive dive before the Christmas and New Year break. Back in 2015, the event smashed the world record for the most Santa divers with 188 divers taking to the waters donning their festive finery – a record that remains unbeaten to this day!
Vobster Santas isn’t just about setting records – it’s also about raising some serious cash for charity. Vobster Quay encourages all divers to get into the spirit of the season to raise much-needed funds for two very deserving charities – the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Help For Heroes.
Through individual sponsorship and online donations, divers can invite their friends, family and work colleagues to sponsor them to plunge into the balmy waters of Vobster Quay dressed in full festive finery. Since the very first Santa dive in 2007, the event has raised over £52,000 for charity. “It’s been over 17 years since the very first charity Santa dive took place at Vobster Quay and every year the event just keeps getting bigger and better” enthused Vobster Quay owner, Amy Stanton.
“Vobster Santas is a great way for divers to say a massive thank you to the both the RNLI and Help For Heroes – two very deserving charities close to our hearts. We’re immensely proud of all that Vobster Santas has achieved and hope that even more divers will join this year’s event on Sunday 15th December. I’m confident that we can make Vobster Santas 2024 the biggest yet!”.
Divers wishing to participate can get involved by simply registering their attendance at
www.vobster.com/event-vobstersantas.php.
Blogs
Dive into Adventure at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa: The Ultimate Diving Destination in the Maldives
Tucked away in the remote northern Haa Alifu Atoll, Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is a premier destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable underwater experience. With over 30 dive sites to explore, divers of all levels can witness the unique and mesmerising beauty of the underwater world. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or new to the sport, Hideaway offers an exceptional diving adventure that is not to be missed.
Explore the Beauty Beneath the Surface
Hideaway is perfectly situated near some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Maldives. The dive school and team at Hideaway offer a very personalised experience to ensure each diver gets an interactive, immersive experience.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Unique dive spots such as Theefaridhoo Thila (Heaven and Hell) as one of the 50 best dive sites in the whole of the Maldives, known for its beautiful soft coral gardens.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
As the resort is located next to a channel which gives guests surprise visits from eagle rays, manta rays, guitar sharks and more.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
One of the standout features of diving in the Haa Alifu Atoll is the abundance of rare and exotic marine species. The area is known for sightings of whale sharks, manta rays, turtles, and a variety of colorful reef fish. Diving at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa offers a rare opportunity to encounter these creatures in their natural habitat, creating lifelong memories for guests.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Whether you’re exploring deep coral gardens, dramatic overhangs, or vibrant reef walls, each dive offers something new and exciting. The visibility in the Maldives is exceptional, often exceeding 30 meters, making it ideal for both underwater photography and general exploration.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Diving for All Levels
At Hideaway, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the thrill of diving. That’s why we cater to divers of all levels, from beginners to experienced professionals. Our professional dive center, led by expert instructors, offers a range of courses and guided dives. If you’re new to diving, you can start with an introductory course that will teach you the basics of scuba diving in a safe and controlled environment.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
For more experienced divers, we offer advanced dive courses and guided excursions to some of the more challenging dive sites. Our instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about the local marine life, ensuring that every dive is not only safe but also informative and enjoyable.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Exclusive Diving Offer
To make your stay even more unforgettable, Hideaway is offering an exclusive diving package designed to enhance your experience both above and below the water. When you book a minimum 7-night stay, you’ll receive:
- 35% discount on room rates.
- Complimentary diving: 3 dives per person for 2 guests, allowing you to experience the beauty of the Maldives underwater world.
- Free meal plan upgrade: enjoy a complimentary upgrade from Bed & Breakfast to Half Board, or from Half Board to Full Board. Guests who prefer the White Platinum Plan (WPP) can avail it at a discounted rate.
This incredible offer provides the perfect opportunity to experience world-class diving while enjoying all the luxury and comfort that Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is known for.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Combinable Offers for Even More Value
This diving offer can also be combined with our Anniversary and Honeymoon offers, allowing you to create the perfect celebration package. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply seeking a romantic getaway, this offer ensures that you can enjoy the best of both worlds – luxurious accommodations and unforgettable diving adventures.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Terms & Conditions
- This offer is available exclusively for bookings made through the official Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa website using a specific booking code.
- The offer cannot be combined with other promotions available on the website or through other channels, nor can it be redeemed for cash.
- All dives are subject to weather conditions, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all guests.
- Black-out dates: This offer is not available from 24th December 2024 to 9th January 2025.
To book this exquisite offer, use the Promo Code: SCUBA24FD
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Hideaway is not just a resort; it’s a sanctuary for those seeking peace, adventure, and luxury. With spacious villas, private pools, and world-class dining options, the resort offers everything you need for a perfect holiday. From tennis, golf, gym, cycling to the exquisite underwater activities, unique dining options, Hideaway has something for everyone. And for diving enthusiasts, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful dive sites in the world.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Our dive center is fully equipped with state-of-the-art gear, ensuring that every dive is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. Our instructors are passionate about the underwater world and are eager to share their knowledge with you, whether it’s your first dive or your 100th.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com / Call: +960 650-1515 / Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
The Ultimate Dive Adventure Awaits
If you’re looking for an unforgettable diving holiday in the Maldives, look no further than Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa. With over 30 dive sites, unique marine life, and exclusive offers, we provide the ultimate underwater experience. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking adventure, our diving package offers exceptional value and incredible memories.
Book now through our official website to take advantage of this exclusive offer and prepare for the dive adventure of a lifetime.
Email: reservations@hideawaybeachmaldives.com
Call: +960 650-1515
Website: www.hideawaybeachmaldives.com
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