Scuba Dive

With more than 300 known shipwrecks–large, small and in between and from warships and schooners to frigates and freighters–Bermuda has a built-in claim to diving fame. Unlike most shipwreck sites, which are located in deep waters, wreck diving around Bermuda is done in shallow waters at an average of about 40 to 50 feet. Also, the Atlantic waters of Bermuda are home to some of the most northern reef formations in the world. Although you can dive while visiting Bermuda almost any time of year, the best times to check out the underwater scenery are from May to November when the Atlantic is at its warmest. Bermuda’s dive season parallels the U.S. East Coast’s, with Water temps are in the mid-60s in winter; high 70s to mid-80s in summer. The visibility averages 70 to 100 feet.
Bermuda’s reef system covers 230 square miles and forms canyons, tunnels and archways that rise to meet the water’s surface. Though it lacks the coral diversity of Caribbean destinations, the Bermuda reef is obviously healthy, with no signs of bleaching or disease. The usual collection of reef fish, from small blennies to big parrotfish, are here, as well as black groupers, tarpon from September through March and even black sea hares.

Some interesting dives in Bermuda include:

King George – A 171-foot dredger scuttled in the 1930s, fully intact at 60 feet and teeming with fish life and a stunning array of soft corals.

Marie Celeste – A Civil War era paddlewheel steamer the Confederate Navy converted into a blockade-runner

Constellation – One of the shipwrecks used in the film “The Deep” by Peter Benchley. A 192 ft wooden hull schooner built in 1918 just over 200ft long sitting in 30 feet of water on the northwest end of the island.

Hermes  - Purposely sunk and now an artificial reef, the Hermes, once a US built freighter, is one of the few wrecks that lies upright, intact and in 75ft of water.  The great visibility of the south shore gives divers the chance to explore her from engines and deck winch to propeller and pilothouse.

Hangover Hole – Dramatic tunnels and arches are a major feature of this site. With many swim throughs and caves it is perfect for video and photography. Marine life is plentiful it is ideal to observe a wide range of Bermudas sea life. The depths range from 10 to 43 ft.

Ceasar  - An English brig sunk in 1818 on a reef off the West End of Bermuda, sitting in 35 feet of water. A cargo of grindstones, medicine vials and glassware can still be seen today surrounding the site.

Bermuda is one of the safest, cleanest and most efficient destinations in the Caribbean. There are more golf courses here per square mile than any other place on the planet, museums, shopping, a rich history and a unique culture. The groomed resorts, the pink sand beaches, the quaint cottages and the businessmen decked out in power ties, shorts, dark socks and dress shoes–they’re all the real culture of Bermuda.