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From the waters of the Caribbean to the historic shipping routes of the Mediterranean, the underwater world around some of our favourite activity holiday hot spots hold many secrets – some of the most fascinating of which are the ships that lie on the ocean floor. When it comes to underwater explorations, wreck diving is undoubtedly an essential feature of any avid diver’s repertoire. It’s a thrilling experience in which history, folklore and absolutely stunning reefs come together to make for the experience of a lifetime. For those who are beckoned by the countless historical sites to be found underwater all around the globe, my team and I have put together our list of the top three most spectacular dive sites from around the world. 1. Chuuk Lagoon, Federated States of Micronesia Considered the most formidable of all Japanese strongholds in the Pacific during the Second World War, Chuuk Lagoon was utterly destroyed when the Americans attacked the base in 1944. As many as 12 warships, 32 merchant ships and 249 aircraft were sunk, and more than 20 wrecks have been discovered in the intervening years. Which ones you want to explore is up to you, but in the Summit and Blue offices we’ve agreed that our favourite wreck dives in the area are the 134-metre/440-foot FujikawaMaru and the 153-metre/500-foot ShinkokuMaru. 2. Grand Anse, Grenada After it was sunk by a boiler room explosion in 1961, the Bianca C was nicknamed ‘The Titanic of the Caribbean’. The fire that led to its sinking lasted for several days – today, this shipwreck is the largest you can dive in the Caribbean at 180 metres/600 feet in length. For those who have completed a full wreck diving course, there is even more fun to be had in the form of multiple opportunities to go inside the ship and explore for yourself... 3. Townsville, Australia As if there’s not enough for divers to love about the Great Barrier Reef already, the British-built SS Yongala – a luxury passenger ship which sank in a cyclone in 1911 – is enough to make all of your diving dreams come true. A true magnet for marine life of all kinds, the SS Yongala is an underwater explorer’s wet dream (excuse the pun). If you are only going to do one wreck dive ever, this is definitely one to consider. And there you have it: three of the most stunning places on earth, three of the most spectacular diving destinations. At Summit and Blue we believe adventure is a key ingredient of an activity holiday, but we always put safety first. We guarantee that, with every plunge you make, you’ll have a qualified guide who will ensure your skill levels are appropriate for the proposed dive site. If our favourite wreck dives have whetted your appetite for an activity holiday full of underwater exploration, then give us a call on 01243 929121and let us put together the perfect water sports holiday for you. Richard Edwards is the Managing Director of Summit & Blue, an adventure holiday company offering independently crafted activity holiday itineraries for families to exciting destinations around the world, including France, Italy, Portugal, the USA and Canada. With unique itineraries and exciting activities like biking, hiking, white water rafting and canoeing, we create holidays for those looking for an experience a little more off the beaten track.
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