Sunken Treasures: A Journey to the World’s Best Wreck Dives
For the adventurous scuba diver, there’s a unique thrill that comes with exploring a shipwreck. These sunken giants are not just rusting metal on the seabed; they are time capsules, artificial reefs teeming with life, and silent storytellers of a dramatic past. From the sun-drenched waters of the Pacific to the historic depths of the Red Sea, the world is dotted with incredible wreck dives that offer a glimpse into history and an unforgettable underwater experience. Here’s a look at some of the best wreck dives the planet has to offer.
SS Yongala, Australia: A Cyclone’s Fury, a Diver’s Dream
Off the coast of Queensland, Australia, lies the wreck of the SS Yongala, a passenger and freight steamship that fell victim to a cyclone in 1911, taking all 122 souls on board with it. For over half a century, its location remained a mystery. Today, the Yongala is considered one of the most spectacular and vibrant wreck dives in the world.
Resting at a depth of 14 to 28 meters, the 110-meter-long ship is now an incredible artificial reef, carpeted in a kaleidoscope of soft and hard corals. The currents that sweep over the wreck bring a constant supply of nutrients, attracting an astonishing abundance of marine life. Divers can expect to be surrounded by giant groupers, majestic eagle rays, sea turtles, and schools of trevally and barracuda. The wreck is also a known haunt for bull sharks, manta rays, and during the winter months, even migrating humpback whales. Due to its protected status as a historic shipwreck and a mass grave, penetration of the wreck is not permitted, but the sheer spectacle of life on its exterior is more than enough to leave any diver in awe. An advanced open water certification is typically required to explore this magnificent site.
SS Thistlegorm, Egypt: A WWII Time Capsule in the Red Sea
In the northern Red Sea, the SS Thistlegorm offers a dive that is as much a journey into history as it is an underwater adventure. This British armed merchant navy ship was sunk in 1941 by German bombers while carrying a vast cargo of WWII supplies. Discovered by the legendary Jacques Cousteau, the Thistlegorm is now a world-renowned dive site. The SS Thistlegorm is best accessed via liveaboard or from dive shops in Hurghada or Sharm el Sheik.
Norton 16H motorbikes cargo of the SS Thistlegorm.
Lying upright at a maximum depth of 30 meters, the wreck is a virtual underwater museum. Divers can explore its cargo holds, which are still packed with BSA motorcycles, Bedford trucks, Bren guns, and even a fleet of armored vehicles. The sight of these relics of war, frozen in time for over 80 years, is a truly surreal experience. The wreck itself is now encrusted with coral and home to a diverse array of marine life, including tuna, barracuda, and large schools of reef fish. Night dives on the Thistlegorm are particularly magical, with the ship’s ghostly corridors and cargo holds revealing a different kind of beauty in the beam of a dive torch. Due to its depth and the potential for strong currents, an advanced open water certification is recommended.
USAT Liberty, Bali, Indonesia: The Accessible Giant
For those seeking an equally impressive but more accessible wreck dive, the USAT Liberty in Tulamben, Bali, is a perfect choice. This United States Army transport ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942 and beached on the shores of Tulamben. In 1963, the tremors from the eruption of Mount Agung pushed the ship back into the sea, where it now rests on a sandy slope.
What makes the Liberty so special is its incredible accessibility. The top of the wreck lies in just 5 meters of water, with the deepest parts at around 30 meters, making it suitable for divers of all levels, and even snorkelers. The 120-meter-long vessel is completely encrusted in vibrant corals and is home to an astonishing diversity of marine life. Schools of bumphead parrotfish are often seen patrolling the wreck at dawn, while a resident school of big-eyed trevally creates a swirling vortex of silver. Macro enthusiasts will be delighted by the abundance of ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, and other tiny critters. The Liberty is a photographer’s paradise and a testament to how nature can transform a relic of war into a thriving underwater ecosystem.
Chuuk Lagoon, Micronesia: A Ghost Fleet’s Final Resting Place
For the ultimate wreck diving pilgrimage, there is no place on Earth quite like Chuuk (formerly Truk) Lagoon in the Federated States of Micronesia. During WWII, this was Japan’s main naval base in the South Pacific. In 1944, a massive US aerial attack, known as “Operation Hailstone,” sent an entire fleet of Japanese warships and merchant vessels to the bottom of the lagoon.
Today, Chuuk Lagoon is a wreck diver’s dream, with over 60 shipwrecks and numerous aircraft scattered across the seabed. The calm, clear waters of the lagoon provide excellent diving conditions, and many of the wrecks are within recreational diving depths. Divers can explore everything from submarines and destroyers to cargo ships still laden with tanks, bulldozers, and aircraft parts. The wrecks are adorned with beautiful soft corals and are home to a plethora of marine life, creating a hauntingly beautiful and poignant underwater landscape. Diving in Chuuk Lagoon is a profound experience, offering a direct and moving connection to a pivotal moment in history.
SS President Coolidge, Vanuatu: The Luxurious Giantess
Once a glamorous ocean liner, the SS President Coolidge was converted into a troopship during WWII. In 1942, while attempting to enter the harbor in Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu, she struck friendly mines and sank. Today, at over 200 meters long, she is one of the largest and most impressive diveable wrecks in the world.
The Coolidge rests on her port side at depths ranging from 20 to 70 meters, offering a variety of dive profiles for both recreational and technical divers. The wreck is a labyrinth of corridors, cargo holds, and grand rooms that hint at her luxurious past. One of the most famous sights is “The Lady and the Unicorn,” a ceramic relief of a woman riding a unicorn that once graced the first-class smoking lounge. Divers can also explore the engine room, medical supplies, and even see personal effects left behind by the soldiers. The exterior of the wreck is a thriving reef, attracting a wide range of marine life, including turtles, moray eels, and large schools of fish. The sheer scale and historical significance of the SS President Coolidge make it a truly unforgettable dive.
These are but a few of the incredible sunken treasures waiting to be explored. Each wreck tells a unique story, a silent testament to a bygone era, now transformed into a vibrant hub of marine life. For those who are willing to delve into the depths, the world’s best wreck dives offer an unparalleled adventure that combines history, nature, and the thrill of discovery.
