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The Best Dive Sites
The following are some of the most exciting shipwreck and coral-reef dives.
The Constellation: This 60m (197-ft.), four-masted schooner, which wrecked en route to Venezuela with a cargo of glassware, drugs, and whiskey in 1943, lies in 9m (30 ft.) of water off the northwest side of the island, about 13km (8 miles) west of the Royal Naval Dockyard. The true story of this ship inspired Peter Benchley to write The Deep.
The Cristóbal Colón: The largest known shipwreck in Bermuda's waters is this 144m (472-ft.) Spanish luxury liner; it ran aground in 1936 on a northern reef between North Rock and North Breaker. It lies in 9 to 17m (30-56 ft.) of water.
The Hermes: This 50m (164-ft.) steamer ship rests in some 24m (79 ft.) of water about 1.6km (1 mile) off Warwick Long Bay on the south shore. It foundered in 1985. The Hermes, the Rita Zovetta, and the Tauton are Bermuda favorites because of the incredible multicolored variety of fish that populate the waters around the ships. You'll have a chance to see grouper, brittle starfish, spiny lobster, crabs, banded coral shrimp, queen angels, tube sponge, and more.
L'Herminie: A first-class, 60-gun French frigate, L'Herminie was 17 days out of its Cuban port, en route to France, when it sank in 1838. The ship lies in 6 to 9m (20-30 ft.) of water off the west side of the island, with 25 cannons still visible.
The Marie Celeste: This paddle-wheeler sank in 1864. Its 4.5m-diameter (15-ft.) paddle wheel, off the southern portion of the island, is overgrown with coral standing about 17m (56 ft.) off the ocean floor.
The North Carolina: One of Bermuda's most colorful and well-preserved wrecks, this English sailing barkentine foundered in 1879 and now lies in about 12m (39 ft.) of water off the western portion of the island. The bow, stern, masts, and rigging are all preserved, and all sorts of vibrant marine life call the wreck home.
The Rita Zovetta: A 180m (591-ft.) Italian cargo ship, lying in 6 to 21m (20-69 ft.) of water off the south side of the island, the Rita Zovetta ran aground off St. David's Island in 1924. It's a favorite with underwater photographers because of the kaleidoscope of fish that inhabit the area.
The Tauton: This popular dive site is a British Royal Mail steamer that sank in 1914. It lies in 4 to 12m (13-39 ft.) of water off the north end of the island and is home to numerous varieties of colorful marine life.
South West Breaker: This coral-reef dive off the south shore, about 2.5km (1 1/2 miles) off Church Bay, has hard and soft coral decorating sheer walls at depths of 6 to 9m (20-30 ft.).
Tarpon Hole: Near Elbow Beach, off the south shore, this dive's proximity to the Elbow Beach Hotel makes it extremely popular. The honeycombed reef -- one of the most beautiful off the coast of Bermuda -- is known for its varieties of coral: yellow pencil, elkhorn, fire, and star.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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