Ring of Wrecks

More than 400 ships have come to rest in Bermuda's waters

This 21-square-mile idyllic piece of real estate, rimmed by some of the world's most beautiful pink sand beaches, is a favorite vacation spot and yachting rendezvous for American and British travelers. Only about one hour, 30 minutes from the Big Apple and most of the East Coast, Bermuda is a great choice for divers looking for a quick getaway or a mini-vacation. Despite its more northerly location, Bermuda's waters are surprisingly warm and clear year-round owing to the Gulf Stream. This river in the sea improves diving conditions and supports a bounty of hard corals, mostly brain and star.
      For divers, Bermuda's key attraction is its collection of wrecks, over 300 all told, spanning a timeline of four centuries. Victims of the island's massive encircling reef, all types of maritime vessels: Spanish galleons, 18th-century warships, Civil War blockade runners and 19th- and 20th-century mail steamers, freighters and luxury liners lie in depths easily reachable by even those new to the sport. Bermuda has a multitude of tropical island charms and plenty to see and do, from maritime museums and historical landmarks like the Royal Naval Dockyard and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse to outdoor sports such as fishing, diving, golf, tennis and, of course, cricket. If there is one thing Bermudians savor, in addition to their eloquent sense of etiquette, manicured homes and fun-loving nature, it's out-Britishing the British. Even local businessmen take their work attire — jacket, tie and "Bermuda shorts" — very seriously.