Thrill of a Lifetime: 7 Spooky Shipwrecks worth Diving in For!

The depths of the ocean are undoubtedly a marvel to explore, with surprising sights greeting divers at every step. But when you are diving in to hunt for and explore a shipwreck, the dive instantly reaches a new level of high. Here is a look at the best shipwrecks that bring with them a whole lot of history, mystery and stories, hence becoming totally worth creating your diving holiday around.

The shipwrecks of Gallipoli and the Daranelles

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Diving in the waters around Turkey isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking of exploring shipwrecks. But the truth is that the Aegan coast line offers some of the best diving opportunities as well as safe and affordable options to learn the sport. The water here is clear with hardly any sharks, and a lot of interesting shipwrecks, making it ideal for those who want to begin their diving journey. Gallipoli and the Dardanelles are sites where failed military campaigns were carried out by the French and the British against the Turks during the World War I, as a result of which there are scores of shipwrecks around this area. Take a diving trip from Cannakkale to Sulva Bay to explore the wrecks of Lundi, a British military cargo vessel that lies 27 meters below the sea. There’s also an unknown troop carrier that was sunk at the ANZAC Cove.

The Hardeep and the Bremen shipwrecks at Pattaya, Indonesia

Two of the best shipwreck diving sites in Indonesia are the Hardeep and the Bremen. The Hardeep carried Indonesian cargo and was sunk by the Allied bombers during the WWII. The ship is 64-meters long and in good shape, and lies just a few hundred meters from Koh Chuang, a coral island. The Bremen is an 88-meters long Thai cargo ship that sunk between Koh Khram and Sattahip, and lies 22-meters below the sea. While you cannot enter the ship, the large eagle rays that swim around the sunken hull, make for an interesting diving highlight.

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The Arkeopark and Flying Fish shipwrecks of Kas

If you’re planning your diving holiday to Turkey, you must include Kas in your itinerary. One of the top Turkish diving sites because of the quality of the dives, Kas is known for its reefs, caves and wrecks as well as an abundance of marine life like rays, Moray eel and Hawkbill turtles. Kas also encompasses Arkeopark, one of the oldest shipwreck sites dating back to the 14 Century BC. While the actual wreck has been preserved at the Bodrum Museum, a replica has been laid in its place. The waters around Kas also have the wreck of a World War II Italian aircraft, often known as the ‘Flying Fish’. One of the best shipwreck dives of Turkey, the ship lies 65 meters below the sea and is a technical dive for experienced divers.

Tulamben’s Liberty Wreck

South-east Asia’s plentiful coastlines and the seas make for some of the best diving sites for exploring wrecks in the world. Known for their high-quality preservation of the shipwrecks and fascinating history, these diving sites are also rich in marine life. One of the first shipwrecks to explore in South-east Asia is the Liberty Wreck in Tulamben, which is just 8 meters below the surface. An American WWII wreck that was damaged by enemy torpedoes, the wreck is a fantastic diving site because of its location, history, features and the marine and coral life that call this old ship their home.

Scubic Bay shipwreck dives, Philippines

Scubic Bay was a former US military base that’s littered with shipwrecks. A good idea is to sign-up with a diving company with expert diving instructors to explore the 30 or more shipwrecks and coral sites that are spread out in that area. Some of these shipwrecks are steam ships, landing ships, patrol boats, cargo ships, battle ships and several WWII wrecks. Until the early 1990’s, Scubic Bay was closed to divers by the military, but now you can access the shipwrecks and explore the area.

The Zainab Wreck, Dubai

The Zainab wreck on the West Coast of Dubai is spread over 70-meters and is a large wreck that can be explored in a single dive. Expert divers suggest starting from the vertical deck and going all along the wreck, past the open hatches. About 30-meters below the sea, the Zainab is an interesting ship to explore with the accommodation rooms, engine rooms and the bridge accessible in daylight. Experienced divers also enjoy exploring the Zainab at night. The ship is carpeted with oysters, and large rays, yellow snappers, batfish and barracuda are seen swimming around it.

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The USS Oriskany shipwreck, Florida

Also known as the ‘Mighty O’, this is one of the largest on-purpose sunk ships, with a lot of history behind her. The USS Oriskany served the US military since 1945 and saw immense action till her decommissioning in 1976. In 2006, she was sunk off the coast of Florida to create an artificial reef. A massive shipwreck, this former aircraft carrier has been stripped of any hazards to the environment or to divers, and is safe to enter for those who hold the appropriate diving certifications.

With the best of these shipwreck diving sites lined up for you, we are sure you are rather tempted to plan your diving holiday right away. So go on, dive right in!