Seeing wrecks give us an opportunity to dive in history. We asked our crews around the world to help compiling a list of the worlds best wreck dives. Each one shows a visible sign of their destruction and loss and are truly underwater museums. Some reminds us of the horrors of the past, while some are just amazing dives. One thing for sure, you need to see them. Dive with us on this journey across time and places!
1. San Francisco Maru in Truk Lagoon
The San Francisco is a definite must-dive in Truk and is without doubt one of the worlds best wreck dives! It is 117 m (385ft) long and lies on the seabed at 60 m (197 ft).
Everyone knows the San Francisco Maru as the “million dollar wreck”. The ship’s holds contains hundreds of mines, bombs, ammunition and torpedoes, as well as trucks and tanks!
A dive on the San Francisco Maru is a deep dive. She rests at 60 m (197 ft) with the deck is at 53 m (165 ft.) and shallower parts around 48 m (140 ft.). On the first descent, just on the main deck, you will discover 3 light tanks and a flatbed truck. The first two holds are filled with interesting war materials such as mines and aircraft bombs, as well as fuel drums, artillery shells, airplane engines and torpedoes.
If you only dive this wreck on your cruise, the trip to Truk is worth it!
2. Saratoga in Bikini Atoll
The Saratoga is one of the largest diveable wrecks in the world and was the first aircraft carrier ever available for diving. Sara, as everyone calls her, rests at a depth of 52 m (170 ft).
It’s possible to carry out penetrations through the aircraft hangar deck area. Here you will find Helldiver planes still situated at 32 m (105 ft) with all dials and controls, bombed up and ready to go, although the deck is collapsing.
The bridge area is another great penetration at 18 m depths (60 ft). Several aircraft lie on the seabed around the carrier and are accessible, however deep: at more than 50 m (165ft).Deep inside the ship, you will find a plethora of artifacts, such as guns, rifles, grenades, even teacups, porcelains, plates, bowls, jugs, trumpets and a diving helmet! Everything here is perfectly preserved! Light bulbs are still in the sockets, cables are hanging around. The interior is very vast with 7 decks of passageways, rooms, storerooms, accommodation and galleys.
One of the most fascinating parts of the ship is the dentist surgery with its 3 dentist chairs. It is completely kitted out with drills, rinse bowls, even headphones for the patients. It is, by far, the best penetration diving of your life!
If you also enjoy some close marine encounters, the Saratoga is one of the few wrecks in the world frequented by many sharks. You will often spot white tip and black tip reef sharks, gray shark and tiger sharks.
3. USS Kanawha in the Solomons
The big American fleet oiler AO-1 USS Kanawha sits upright near the entrance to Tulagi Harbour at about 60 m (200 ft). It could carry up to 350 men!
The USS Kanawha is 145 m (476 ft) long, 17 m (56 ft) wide and displaced 14,500 tons so even three dives will only just give you an overview of the ship! Experts says she is one of the best wreck dives you will do anywhere in the world with lots to explore!
The different ship’s decks, at around 40 m depth (131 ft), have big number of hatchways, each one leading to some interesting spots: AA guns, gas cylinders, coils of rope used for live refueling operations. The bridge is badly damaged due to a big bomb. But the twin five inch, 38 calibre dual purpose guns on the bow still proudly search the sky above in a vain attempt to knock out the elusive dive bombers.
All around the Kanawha you will find many shells lying around. The engine room also suffered. Bombs shattered it with further damages due to salvage attempts and earthquakes. It is rather messy in there. Lots of catwalks and other unidentifiable bits and pieces are everywhere!
The stern at 45 m (148 ft) has a telegraph, as well as a lot of ammunition, a US Army helmet in reasonable condition, and a number of AA guns which are difficult to find due to the damage and a 5 inch gun on both sides.
The Kanawha is another fantastic example of how ships can become artificial reefs! The wreck is full of marine life with stunning coral trees hanging from the gunnels!
Check our WWII Wreck Week in the Solomon Islands!
4. Kinugawa Maru in Solomons Islands
The 135m (442 ft) long Kinugawa Maru is only 100m up the beach. It has sunk upright with the engine block protruding from the water. This wreck, sometimes called “Bonegi 2” or even “B2” , goes down to 27m (89 ft).
The site is fully covered in soft coral, hard coral, gorgonians, and different species of anemone fish and other colorful fish! This wreck illustrates the phrase “there is life after death”.
The aft section of the engine room is at 8 m (26 ft). This means you have strong tropical sunlight beaming through the frames. This created a gothic cathedral effect, while schools of fish swim through the wreck.
Tall ladders stretch skywards and huge coral encrusted cooking woks lie on the decks. You will also likely see lots of blue spotted rays on the sand. On the starboard side, you will find a mounted gun. Although you could easily miss it, as the barrel is now completely encrusted in coral.
This dive will be the delight of both wreck and non-wreck divers alike, especially for underwater photographers. She is definitely one of the worlds best wreck dives.
Check our WWII Wreck Week in the Solomon Islands!
5. Iro Maru in Palau
The Iro Maru is perhaps the most famous wreck in Palau. It is a WW2 wreck that sank during Operation Desecrate One.
At 143 meters in lenght (470ft long) and weighing 14,050 tons, she is a big and impressive wreck!
The Iro Maru was part of the Japanese Combined Fleet like her sistership Sata. Sata is ironically resting only a few meters away from the Iro Maru. There was for a very long time confusion as which wreck was which.
She sank on 31st March 1944 and rests upright to a maximum depth of 40 m (130ft). On a good day you can actually see the wreck from the surface.
Like any war wreck, she had been fitted with weapons. You can still see a 5.5 inch gun at the bow and another one on the stern for example. You will also find lots of artifacts like gas masks and personal memorabilia.
Since she has been down underwater for a while, she has now become a wonderful artificial reef. She is home to stunning soft corals and a wonderful macro life.
She is truly the star of Palau!
You can explore each one of these wrecks with Master Liveaboards. Contact us for further information and get the chance to dive some of the worlds best wreck dives!
