Man has been plying the seas in search of food, for trade, to conduct war, and to enjoy travel and relaxation for thousands upon thousands of years. And, for just as long, boats and ships of all sizes have succumbed to destiny, ultimately finding their way to the bottom of the sea, where they serve as tombs for the departed and as homes for living sea creatures of every stripe. As sad as the stories of many of the world's greatest shipwrecks are, the ships beckon from their watery resting places, calling divers from all over the world to come visit, before it's too late. It took our team of Just Gotta Dive (JGD) wreck diving experts a long time to finally agree on which of the world's shipwrecks were our favorites; this group of ten though, offer history, marine life, and incredible stories that we're sure you'll enjoy re-telling as you share the experience of diving them with family and friends.
Thistlegorm in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Diving the Thistlegorm is like visiting a time capsule. Sunk by Nazi warplanes during the second world war, SS Thistlegorm lies in shallow water, with her bow at just 15 meters, and her propeller accessible at a depth of only 27 meters, with the seabed at a depth of 30 meters. The Thistlegorm is over 400 feet long, and despite shallow depths, it takes several dives to fully explore the wreck.
Located in the Northern Red Sea's Straits of Gubal near Ras Muhammad, the Thistlegorm is more than just a great wreck dive. She is a massive underwater museum containing important pieces of military history; and, she is a war grave. Once a simple seagoing merchant ship, Thistlegorm was being used to bring needed supplies to Allied forces when she was struck in 1941; in the cargo holds, there are motorbikes and truck, guns and munitions, tanks, crates of medication, and much more. There are several penetration routes as well as a number of no-penetration routes, so no matter how many times you get the opportunity to dive Thistlegorm, there is always something new to see.
USS Oriskany in Pennsacola, Florida
The largest ship ever to be intentionally sunk as an artificial reef, the USS Oriskany is located 24 miles southeast of Pensacola, Florida. Though the ship tool only 37 minutes to sink when she was reefed on May 17th of 2006, she landed upright. Today, due to the action of tropical storms and hurricanes that have blown through the area, Oriskany lists slightly. Her keel sits firmly on the bottom at a depth of 212 feet, her flight deck is at 146 feet, and her tower is at a depth of 84 feet. You'll find the hangar bay at a depth of 177 feet, and most of the ship's island, including nav and flag bridges, the Admirals' and Captains' at sea cabins, Pri Fly, and the chart plotting room at depths above 130 feet. All these features can be viewed without significant penetration.
For tech divers and veteran cave divers, the Oriskany presents some formidable challenges, mostly due to the fact that the ship's internal layout has changed to the point where deck plans no longer remain reliable. Significant penetrations are now considered to be risky, despite the fact that many hazards were removed prior to the ship's deployment to the seabed; the lightweight aluminum bulkheads making up most of the ship's interior were torn by explosives used in the sinking, and by the subsequent rush of water filling the ship as she sank.
To dive USS Oriskany, you must have a minimum of 20 dives logged, and if you do not carry a deep diver specialty certification or an advanced certificate, you will need to dive with a guide. All divers are required to carry an alternate air source along with other safety equipment; it is easy to become disoriented on this 911 foot wreck, even without penetration.
A number of local dive operators run regular trips to the Oriskany, making this wreck uniquely accessible to almost all certified divers. No matter what your level of expertise, you'll find yourself thinking about this ship long after your trip to Pensacola has come to a close.
Zenobia in Larnaca Bay, Cyprus
The Zenobia consistently makes her way onto top wreck dive lists; in fact, she is often among the top five wreck dives. Built in Sweden and delivered to her new owners in 1979, Zenobia was on her maiden voyage and enroute to Tartous, Syria, with a load of 104 lorries and other cargo when she began to experience steering difficulties and then list to port. It was determined that excess water had been pumped into the ballast tanks, and after pumping, the ship went on her way. The problem repeated itself, then became progressively worse; after requests for safe port in Larnaca Harbour were denied and the crew was dismissed, Zenobia ultimately capsized on June 7th of 1980, taking 400 million dollars-worth of cargo with her to a depth of 42 meters. Allegedly, insurance monies were never collected, and there was never a formal investigation into the cause of the sinking.
Additionally, the cargo was never salvaged; there are lorries still chained to the decks and lying scattered about the seabed like toys; marine life ranging from huge groupers and fleets of toothy barracudas to tiny, brightly colored nudibranchs call the wreck home. Divers who penetrate the wreck will see the restaurant, which still contains remnants of red tartan carpet, restrooms with toilets and sinks still intact, and much more. As technical dives go, Zenobia is tops - there are more than ten routes to discover!
Local dive operators offer rebreather and tech dives, along with single tank dives for recreational divers who simply want to get a peek at the upper section of the wreck.
Fujikawa Maru in Truk (Chuuk) Lagoon, Micronesia
Located near Etten in Chuuk Lagoon, which is also known as Truk Lagoon, the Fujikawa Maru wreck is 132 meters long and lies at a depth of just 34 meters. The deck is at a depth of only 18 meters, and the upper section is at an almost unbelievable depth of only 9 meters. This freighter was being used to carry aircraft and supplies for the Japanese army, during the Second World War. There are six holds in all; some are open and can be explored without penetration, which serves to enhance the wreck's appeal to newer wreck divers. Inside, airplane parts and near-intact Zero fighters can be seen, along with restrooms, complete with sinks and toilets. Smaller artifacts are in evidence too; binoculars and other personal effects can be found all throughout the wreck.
There is a six inch gun on the bow, plus the ship is beautifully swathed in coral and sponges; as a bonus, the marine life onboard is fantastic. Watch for everything from reef sharks to colorful tropical fish as you explore!
Blackjack B17 in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
One of the best aircraft wrecks anywhere, the Flying Fortress B-17F "Black Jack", bearing serial number 41-24521 was built during the second world war and used by the 43rd Bombardment Group, 63rd Bombardment Squadron, in Papua New Guinea's Port Moresby. The plane was lost on July 10, 1943, when engine trouble developed and the pilot, Lt. Ralph De Loach, along with his crew of nine, decided to ditch the aircraft on the shallow reef running parallel to Boga Boga's white, sandy beach. The aircraft barely missed the reef, and floated briefly before finally sinking to a depth of about 50 meters. The entire crew, including 3 men who were injured during the crash, got out safely and were rescued. Black Jack rested on the ocean floor for years before ultimately being discovered.
This is a really special dive, in clear water with visibility that routinely reaches or exceeds 40 meters. The nose is crumpled as are the propellers, but the plane is still intact, including loaded machine guns still in their mounts. There are no obstructions or major hazards outside the plane, with the exception of a current which can be strong at times; and of course, it is vital that you pay close attention to bottom time and deco. A permanent guideline leads from the shallow reef, down the slope, and all the way to the wreck's tail section. If you are not qualified to dive all the way to the wreck, you can usually see it from the reef, from a depth of about 15 meters. If you do make it all the way down, do not enter, even though the cockpit windows are open. The dangers inside are simply too great. Instead, enjoy a look at a unique piece of history - and have fun exploring the nearby reef as you make your ascent.
MV Keith Tibbetts in Little Cayman, Cayman Islands
A historic Russian warship, in the Cayman Islands? You bet! This wreck was once known simply as "Number 365" prior to being sold for use as an artificial reef. She was named in honor of a local politician, and is the only diveable Russian warship in the Western Hemisphere. The MV Keith Tibbetts sits upright along a gentle, white sandy slope with here propellers half buried at a depth of 56 feet. She sits beside a small plateau that leads to a wall which drops away into the abyss thousands of feet below, and is home to thousands of colorful fish, invertebrates, and other creatures. Measuring nearly the length of an American football field, this incredible ship features a pair of cannons at a depth of 50 feet, and is a dive not to be missed. While most divers choose to visit the Keith Tibbetts via boat, she is accessible from shore via a long swim from the nearby Buccaneer shore access point. There are two moorings on the Tibbetts wreck; one fore, and one aft. No matter how you arrive, you're certain to be amazed.
Umbria on Wingate Reef, Sudan
The Umbria was built in Germany in 1912. 500 feet long, the freighter was sold to Italy in 1925, and then scuttled off Sudan to avoid imminent capture by British troops. Not only was the Italian Navy fearful that the ship herself would be captured by allies and used against them, but they were afraid that the cargo could be repurposed as well. As the ship was sunk intentionally, there was no loss of life associated with it - and the captain made sure that the 360,000 aircraft bombs, which you'll see when you venture into the hold, could never cause harm to anyone. The ship's lifeboats can also be seen, as can an entire fleet of Fiat motorcars and plenty of other cargo.
The wreck of the Umbria, for all its grandeur, is surprisingly easy to access - even for newer divers. She lies in the shelter of Wingate Reef, on her port side at a 60 degree angle. Depths range from 5 to 36 meters, and there is plenty of natural light streaming in. The wreck is wreathed in colorful coral and is home to an array of Red Sea marine life which is as impressive, if not more so, than the historic cargo still inside this incredible sunken time capsule.
SS President Coolidge in Vanuatu
The SS President Coolidge was launched as a luxury liner in 1931, and converted to a troop transport ship serving the South Pacific Theatre during the second world war. When built, she was equipped with spacious lounges and luxurious staterooms, two swimming pools, a beauty salon and a barber shop, a gymnasium and even a soda fountain. On October 26, 1942, she struck a mine, limped to shore for the sailors to disembark, and later slipped down the reef slope, eventually coming to rest on her port side, with her bow pointing toward the upper lip of the reef. The SS President Coolidge is easily accessed, as her bow is at a depth of 20 meters; technical divers love the wreck as its stern is at a depth of 70 meters, posing a bit more of a challenge.
Not only is the SS President Coolidge incredibly intact, it provides an experience like diving a military ship and a luxury liner at the same time. Guns, jeeps, cannons, helmets, and personal effects are some of the artifacts you'll see, as are chandeliers, a mosaic tile fountain, and even a work of art called "The Lady," which depicts a woman riding a unicorn. Coral and sponges cover the wreck, and turtles, moray eels, small sharks, and plenty of reef fish add color and life to a wreck that is simply unforgettable.
Yongala in Ayr, Australia
Probably the most talked about wreck in all Australia, the SS Yongala has been underwater for more than 100 years. Constructed of steel and timber, and powered by steam, she sank during a cyclone, taking 121 souls with her to a watery grave beneath 30 meters of water. Yongala is reputed to be haunted by a woman in white; the haunting and the fact that the ship is beginning to crumble and divers' bubbles cause corrosion to accellerate are two excellent reasons divers are no longer permitted to penetrate the wreck. Even so, the SS Yongala is still surprisingly intact. From the outside, you can peer in for a look at toilets and other fixtures, plus you can see the massive engine, the rudder, and the ship's masts as you explore.
SS Yongala lies in the center of a channel and is the only solid underwater structure around; this means she is an outstanding artificial reef. Covered in brilliant hard and soft corals, sea fans, and hydroids, she is home to an incredible array of fish, including a Maori wrasse about the size of a Volkswagen bug. Trips to the Yongala depart nearly every day; if you want to enjoy several dives on this iconic shipwreck, the best way to do it is to secure the services of a liveaboard.
SMS Markgraf in Scapa Flow, Scotland
A top destination for technical divers, the SMS Markgraf was a German Warship and is part of the legendary German High Seas Fleet. Scuttled on June 21st of 1919 along with her sister ships, the SMS Markgraf lies beneath 45 meters of water on her Starboard side, almost upside down. Immense anchor capstans, the anchor hawse pipe, and the torpedo rooms can all be seen, along with enormous gears and a massive anchor chain, which wrapped itself around the ship as she went down. Seven casemate guns run along the ship's side at deck level, and at the stern, the ship's twin rudders rise straight up, nearly 4 meters tall. The engines were salvaged, but cables, pipework, and valves remain, as do the ship's high pressure turbines. This wreck is one which takes several dives to explore in full; take your time and enjoy this incredible look back into time, and you'll understand why she makes our list of favorites.
With so many wrecks to explore, why not consider becoming a qualified wreck diver, if you aren't already? At Just Gotta Dive (JGD), we believe diver education is vital - not just to personal safety, but to full enjoyment of the sport we love so much. Do yourself a favor, and keep on working to become the best diver you can be. You'll see so much more, and enjoy experiences you'll carry in your memory forever; best of all, you'll be safe and have fun doing it.