Exploring shipwrecks is a thrilling way to dive into history and adventure, uncovering the mysteries and treasures that lie beneath the waves.
Shipwrecks offer unique opportunities for scuba divers to witness the remnants of maritime disasters, now teeming with marine life and holding stories from the past.
- “Unique” bronze cannon found 360 years after gunpowder explosion sank the ship that restored Charles II to throne
- RNLI lifeboats launched 1,808 times and saved 5,332 lives at sea during the First World War
Safety tip: Always make sure you are competent to dive your chosen wreck and conditions and remember when scuba diving at a new wreck consulting with local experts and participating in a guided adventure is important. Use PADI’s Dive Store Locator to find your local experts.
Most famous shipwrecks in British waters
The Marie (Plymouth, England)
Nestled off the coast of Plymouth, the wreck of The Marie offers divers a chance to connect with a piece of 19th-century maritime history.
This three-masted iron steamship, built in 1863, met its fate in 1895 under mysterious circumstances. Resting at a depth of 40 meters, the wreck is well-preserved, with its robust compound steam engine and anchors, now encrusted with marine life.
The Marie is a sanctuary for crabs and small fish, making it a site where history and nature intertwine beautifully.
Recommended Diver Level: PADI Advanced Open Water Diver with a PADI Deep Diver Specialty
HMS Otranto (Islay, Scotland)
The rugged waters off Islay, Scotland, hold the remains of HMS Otranto, a World War I cruiser that tragically sank in 1918.
The wreck, lying at depths between 11 and 17 metres, tells the somber story of a ship lost to a fierce gale and a catastrophic collision.
Divers exploring the site will find the ship's massive boilers standing sentinel amid a vibrant marine ecosystem. The combination of historical significance and the natural beauty of the site makes it a poignant and fascinating dive.
Recommended Diver Level: PADI Open Water Diver and Boat Diver Specialty
Louis Sheid (Thurlestone, Devon)
In the calm shallows off Thurlestone, Devon, The Louis Sheid, a Belgian grain carrier, rests after its dramatic sinking in 1939 while evading a German U-boat.
This wreck, lying at just 10 metres deep, is ideal for novice divers. The scattered remains, including boilers and metal structures, have become home to large wrasse and other marine species, offering a serene underwater tableau that contrasts with the ship’s violent end.
Recommended Diver Level: PADI Open Water Diver
SS Mohegan (Cornwall, England)
The SS Mohegan, a passenger liner turned graveyard in 1898, lies off the coast of Cornwall after striking the infamous Manacles rocks.
Now resting at a depth of 25-30 metres, the wreck offers a haunting dive experience. The ship's boilers and hull sections, draped in marine life such as conger eels and crabs, are stark reminders of the tragedy.
The SS Mohegan is a dive site that brings together the tragic allure of history with the quiet persistence of nature.
Recommended Diver Level: PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
HMS Formidable (Lyme Bay)
The story of HMS Formidable, a pre-dreadnought battleship sunk by a German U-boat in 1915, is etched in the waters of Lyme Bay.
Lying at a depth of 60 metres, the wreck is a draw for experienced technical divers.
The ship’s formidable guns, still visible on the seabed, evoke the power and tragedy of wartime naval battles. Amid the wreckage, schools of fish and vibrant anemones flourish, adding life to the sunken vessel’s story.
Recommended Diver Level: Technical Diver
SS Rondo (Sound of Mull, Scotland)
The SS Rondo’s dramatic descent to its resting place in the Sound of Mull presents a unique diving experience. The cargo ship sank in 1935, and now lies at a steep angle with its bow at nine metres and stern at 50 metres.
This striking orientation makes The Rondo both an intermediate and advanced diving site.
The wreck is largely intact, with visible winches and hatches, and is often shrouded in seaweed, creating an ethereal underwater landscape.
Recommended Diver Level: PADI Advanced Open Water Diver with a PADI Deep Diver Specialty (Boat Diver)
Scapa Flow (Orkney Islands, Scotland)
Scapa Flow is a diver’s paradise, steeped in history and brimming with marine life. This iconic site in the Orkney Islands is the final resting place of several ships from The German High Seas Fleet, scuttled in 1919.
The wrecks, lying at depths between 24 and 45 metres, are covered in marine life and provide a unique opportunity to explore history firsthand.
The sites mix of cruisers, battleships, and destroyers offers something for every advanced diver, making Scapa Flow a must-visit destination and one of the UK's best scuba dive locations
Recommended Diver Level: PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, for longer dives try PADI Enriched Air Specialty.
Normans Bay Wreck (East Sussex, England)
Off the coast of East Sussex, near Eastbourne, lies the Normans Bay Wreck, believed to be a 17th-century Dutch warship, possibly from the Battle of Beachy Head in 1690. Discovered by accident in 2005, the wreck lies in shallow waters between seven to 15 metres deep.
Divers can explore over 50 iron cannons, a large anchor, and the remnants of the timber hull, all now part of a thriving marine ecosystem. This wreck offers a tangible connection to history, enhanced by the abundant sea life that now calls it home.
Recommended Diver Level: PADI Open Water Diver
What is PADI Wreck Diver Certification
While these sites offer a range of depths and challenges, one consistent recommendation for all divers is to obtain the PADI Wreck Diver certification.
This specialty course equips divers with the skills and knowledge necessary to safely explore shipwrecks, including techniques for navigating wrecks, avoiding potential hazards, and understanding the historical and environmental significance of these underwater sites.
Whether you're penetrating a wreck or simply surveying the exterior, the PADI Wreck Diver certification ensures you are well-prepared for the unique challenges and rewards that come with wreck diving.
Learn more about becoming a PADI Wreck Diver
