There’s something hauntingly alluring about a shipwreck. They’re mysterious relics frozen in time in their watery graves, often teeming with fish and coral and maybe, just maybe, some hidden treasure. There are a lot more sunken ships out there than you might imagine – about three million of which are currently on the ocean floor. Some of them get stuck in the water after some marine folly, while others are merely abandoned and never removed. Many wrecks are only visible under the water, and are major draws for divers, snorkelers or submarine explorers. Still others can be seen above water or from shore as well, so you don’t necessarily have to get wet to check them out. Here are some of the best places around the world to see cool shipwrecks.
1. Bonaire, Caribbean
Off the coast of the island Bonaire lies the Hilma Hooker, a wreck that has become a popular dive sight. The boat went through many hands and names over the years, but its final voyage was in 1984 when she was towed towards land after having some engine issues. Turns out, she was carrying 25,000 pounds of marijuana, and although the crew was detained, the owners were never found. Meanwhile, she sprung some leaks and went down 100 feet where she sits today between two coral reefs.
