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.
2. Stockholm, Sweden
You don’t have to dip a toe in the water to check out one of the world’s best preserved viking shipwrecks, the Vasa. This Swedish royal warship was built in the early 1600s to glorify King Gustavus Adolphus. Despite the shipbuilders objections, they were told to build it bigger more grandiose than ever. However, when it comes to seaworthiness, bigger and heavier isn’t always better. The glorious Vasa sunk on its maiden voyage just a mile out of Stockholm harbor. The cold waters of the Baltic Sea kept the ship and its artifacts (plus human remains) pristine and preserved for 350 years, like a snapshot in time. It is now the centerpiece of one of Sweden’s most popular museums.
3. SS President Coolidge, Vanuatu
This was once an extravagant luxury ocean liner that did its part for the war effort and was recommissioned to carry troops in 1941. She was pulling into Espiritu Santo harbor when she hit some mines. Thankfully, all but two men survived by swimming to shore, but the ship was lost to the bottom of the sea. Today, it’s one of the top wreck dives in the world, famed for both its easy beach access and its visibility.
