BERMUDA -- WHERE TO DIVE

Image by Ty Sawyer

WHERE TO DIVE   

Bermuda is one of the best dive locations for serious wreck aficionados … possibly because there are approximately 300 (some websites claim there are more than 500) wrecks in and around Bermuda waters.   

Not to mention the clear waters, teeming reefs and interesting swim-throughs – Bermuda has everything that divers look for in a great dive destination. Add to the mix interesting topside activities, close proximity to the U.S., and short boat rides to dive sites, and you have the perfect place to go on vacation for everyone in your family. And one other thing … everyone speaks English! So, check out the interactive Bermuda dive site list HERE or scroll the dive site list from the Bermuda Tourism office below for some great wreck dives that are included in the Bermuda Shipwreck Certificate Program:

SHIPWRECK CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Now you can take home a piece of this island's remarkable shipwreck history. Come to Bermuda, dive the best wrecks and you'll earn Bermuda Shipwreck Certificate mementos of your diving experiences.

The Bermuda dive operators, in cooperation with the Bermuda Department of Tourism, are offering — absolutely free — a set of 20 beautifully designed certificates printed on parchment paper, suitable for framing. Each certificate documents your dive and provides a brief history of the wreck. Start with one and collect them all!

BLANCHE KING
This 192-foot classic American wooden schooner was launched in 1887, and ran into the reef in 1920. Wreck includes bronze spikes, anchor winch, mast rigging and deadeyes.

CARAQUET
A 350-foot British mail and passenger steamer hit the reef in 1923 and now sits in 30 feet of water. Wreckage includes the ship's anchor attached to the colossal anchor winch, massive boilers, a steam engine and steel masts.

CONSTELLATION
This four-masted wooden-hulled, 192-foot American schooner served as a cargo vessel in World War II. It fell victim to the reef in 1943 and sank in 30 feet of water with cement sacks, 700 cases of Scotch whisky and thousands of glass ampules.

CRISTOBAL COLÓN
At 499 feet, this Spanish trans-Atlantic luxury liner, Bermuda's largest shipwreck, went

down in 1936. Resting in 20-55 feet of water, hundreds of relics remain including boilers, steam turbines and propellers.

DARLINGTON
This 286-foot steel-hulled freighter made a navigational error and sank in 1881 en route from New Orleans to Bremen. It lies in 20-35 feet of water. Steam boilers, propeller shaft and deck winches highlight the dive.

HERMES
Built in 1943, this former U.S. Navy buoy tender was sunk as an artificial reef in 1984. Fully intact, it sits upright in the sand at 80 feet with its mast, wheelhouse, cargo hold and deck winch available for exploration.

IRISTO (ARISTO)
This 250-foot Norwegian freighter spotted the Cristobol Colón in 1937 under way and attempted to follow it in. Unaware the Spanish luxury liner was actually stationary and sitting on the reef, the Iristo's captain ran his own ship onto the reef as well. It now sits in 50 feet of water with its stern 20 feet below the surface.

THE KATE
A 200-foot Brigantine rigged, English-built iron steamer, it was en route to Le Havre, France when it struck a reef in 1878. Today it sits in 45 feet of water, with its boilers, engine, propeller shaft and deck winches still visible.

LARTINGTON
A 245-foot steel freighter travelling from Savannah, Georgia, to Russia with a cargo of cotton sank in a storm in 1879. It rests in 15-35 feet of water with boilers, bow and stern and propeller still visible.

L'HERMINIE
This French 60-gun three-masted wooden-hulled warship was returning home after battle in Mexico and crashed into the reef in 1838. Dozens of giant 9-foot-long cannons remain scattered on the ocean floor in 25-30 feet of water.

MADIANA
This 345-foot steel hulled passenger ship operating under the Canadian flag ran aground in 1903 while making a planned stop in Bermuda. It lies in 25-30 feet of water southwest of North Rock.

MARY CELESTIA
Built in England, this 225-foot side-paddlewheel steamer served as a Confederate blockade runner during the American Civil War. It hit the reef and sank in 1864 and now rests in 55 feet of water with one of its coral-encrusted paddlewheels standing upright.

MINNIE BRESLAUER
This 300-foot steel-hulled English freighter was on its maiden voyage from Portugal to New York with a cargo of wine, dried fruit and cork when it sank in 1873. Resting in 35- 70 feet of water, its remains include the ship's propeller, steam boilers and wheelhouse.

MONTANA
A 236-foot side-paddlewheel steamer, this Civil War blockade runner sank in 1863. It is encrusted with soft and hard corals and lies in 30 feet with its boilers and paddlewheel intact.

NORTH CAROLINA
This 205-foot English iron-hulled barque struck the reef in 1880 on New Year's Day. It sits upright in 25-40 feet of water with its bowsprit, sail rigging and deadeyes in place.

PELINAION
When it sank in 1940, this 385-foot steel-hulled freighter was travelling from West Africa to Baltimore carrying iron ore. In 55 feet of water, its giant boiler and engine stand upright and come within 10 feet of the surface.

POLLOCKSHIELDS 
 This 323-foot British supply ship was carrying ammunition from Wales to Bermuda to support the garrison when it ran into the reef in 1915. Its wreckage sits in 15-30 feet and includes two boilers, an enormous engine and large propeller.

RITA ZOVETTA
A 1924 hurricane brought this 360-foot Italian cargo ship to rest in 20-70 feet of water. This huge ship is semi-penetrable.

TAUNTON
This 228-foot Danish steamer was en route from Norfolk, Virginia, with her cargo of coal and ran into the reef and sank in 1920. In 10-40 feet of water are its bow, triple expansion engine and boilers.

XING DA
The U.S. Coast Guard seized this 221-foot Cantonese freighter in 1996 while attempting to smuggle 83 Chinese nationals into the U.S. It was sunk in 1997 as an artificial reef. The wreck is home to larger species of marine life.