Bermuda’s waters are home to more than 300 shipwrecks, a result of the hazardous reefs that have claimed vessels for centuries.
For history lovers and explorers, it’s a great incentive to grab scuba gear, dive into the ocean, and discover a world unlike anything on land.
“It’s almost like stepping into a story,” Aayush Prakash, the lead technical instructor at Dive Bermuda at Somerset. “When you swim through a wreck, you’re seeing what time was like back then—what the ship was carrying, where it was going, and how it met its fate.”
Wreck diving also reveals how nature reclaims man-made structures. Over time, ships become part of the underwater ecosystem, attracting vibrant coral and marine life.
It’s one of the reasons why wreck diving captivates so many people and, even for beginners, it’s easy enough, insists Prakash.
An expert in his field, he explains that unlike many other parts of the world Bermuda offers a wide range of diving opportunities. From easily accessible sites for novices to challenging wrecks for seasoned divers—and plenty of options for those in between—there truly is something for everyone.
For those who have yet to take the plunge, the first decision is often whether to get certified. While Prakash recommends certification as the best option, he notes that it’s not essential if you’re happy to observe sea life around wrecks from the outside. “Unlike a lot of places I’ve worked, Bermuda’s wrecks are easily accessible. You don’t have to be a seasoned diver to explore some of the shallower ones,” he said.
For those ready to learn, the dive expert highlights three key areas to focus on: proper training, prioritising safety, and selecting a wreck suited to your skill level. Additionally, consider the following points:
1. At what age can you get certified?
It is possible to get certified at the age of 12 through a Junior Open Water Diver course. It consists of an e-learning portion and three days of practical training, which can be spaced out according to your schedule. The course prepares you for open-water diving and will include at least one wreck dive as part of the certification process. In order to do dives that are a little more advanced however, you have to be between the ages of 15 and 18.
2. What about adults?
Adults can complete PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) or SDI (Scuba Diving International) Open Water courses.
Open Water Diver is an entry-level certification for recreational diving to depths of up to 18 metres (60 feet). Wreck Diver Specialty certification allows deep penetration of wrecks, enabling more advanced wreck exploration. One of the beautiful things about diving is that, as long as health allows, there is no age limit. An 80-year-old beginner, for example, could learn the basics in shallow water before being guided to nearby wrecks.
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“One of the things that we offer is something called the discover scuba dive programme, so they complete the e-learning portion of that and then come in and meet with their instructor,” Prakash said. “Their instructor would get them comfortable and we’d head off into the bay, practise a couple skills, and then we’d be able to head off to two very well known wrecks here in Bermuda – the Constellation and the Montana – which are nice, big open wrecks, and still be able to give people that wreck diving experience even though they’ve never been diving before.”
3. Costs to consider
Wreck diving costs vary based on your level of experience and whether you’re diving independently or with a guide.
Here’s a breakdown:
• Discovery dive for beginners: $264 for a single wreck dive under supervision, ideal for those trying wreck diving for the first time.
• Certified diver wreck trip: $242 for a two-tank dive, which includes equipment rental and a trip to a wreck.
• Open Water certification: $695 excluding eLearning, which needs to be purchased from PADI.
• Wreck Diver Specialty certification: $650 for a two-day entry-level course that teaches safe wreck penetration. Advanced courses cost $400 per day for additional training.
If you’re planning to dive independently, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of equipment (such as a tank, wetsuit, and mask), and transportation to the wreck sites. Tank fills, for example, cost about $15 per fill at local dive shops.
4. Gear and equipment
While it’s possible to buy gear locally, many divers prefer to try out equipment first. Dive Bermuda and other local dive shops offer a variety of brands to rent or purchase. Alternatively, divers can order their equipment from overseas after testing it locally.
5. Do I have to get certified?
“That’s a double-edged sword and it’s always going to come back to personal limits,” Prakash said. If you have your own boat or access to one, and decide to invest in all the necessary equipment, there’s nothing to stop you from diving. Just make sure you do it safely, and don’t venture inside the wrecks.
“We don’t condone people teaching themselves to go inside of the wreck just because of all of the added risks, such as entanglement, getting lost. However, we do offer courses where we teach people to do that safely, and once they complete their course, then they’re more than welcome to go on the inside of the wreck on their own,” Prakash added. “If you want to just kind of pop your head in, do a quick little in and out just see what’s on the inside without really going all the way in, then in that case you would not need to be a certified wreck driver.”
5. What if I want to go further in?
Wreck Diver Specialty certification is necessary for anyone who wants to go inside a wreck and explore.
“If you do want to go all the way in – down corridors and into staircases and explore different rooms, really take a look at the inner workings – then agencies do stipulate that you have a wreck penetration certification,” Prakash said. “We teach people to do that safely. Without proper training, wreck penetration can be dangerous due to risks such as entanglement or getting lost. However, courses are available for divers looking to enhance their skills and experience the full thrill of wreck exploration.”
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6. Pick the right wreck
Many of Bermuda’s wrecks are easily accessible to Open Water divers due to their shallow locations. For people just starting out, the Constellation and the Montana are waiting to be explored. There is also the HMS Vixen, which lies off Daniel’s Head with her bow just above water, and The Mary Celestia, which struck a reef in 1864, sits off what is now The Princess Beach Club. Other choices are Taunton, a shallow, beginner-friendly wreck near Grotto Bay, accessible to divers of all levels—and even snorkellers, and Niobe Corinthian, Bermuda’s largest intact wreck with opportunities for deep penetration, also located near Grotto Bay.
“These are very easy for divers to get into. With all the hurricanes they’ve been broken open, so everybody gets to see the inner workings and more intricate parts without having to take on the more additional risks, such as wreck penetration and having to go inside,” Prakash said
Visit Dive Bermuda at Somerset for more information on how to start your diving journey!
