Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
cotton and cash. Evading capture for most of the war, it was wrecked off the coast of
Bermuda on September 25, 1864. The ship sank in 17m (56 ft.) of water, where its
ruins lie like a skeleton today. This is not a great dive site for observing marine life,
but the wreck is evocative and offers many caves and tunnels to explore.
NORTH CAROLINA
This iron-hulled English bark lies in 7.5 to 12m (25-39 ft.)
of water off Bermuda's western coast. While en route to England, it went down on
New Year's Day in 1879 when it struck the reefs. The bow and stern remain fairly
intact. There is often poor visibility here, making the wreck appear almost like a ghost
ship. Hogfish, often reaching huge sizes, inhabit the site, along with schools of por-
gies and snapper.
RITA ZOVETTA
This Italian cargo steamer was built in 1919 in Glasgow and
went aground off St. David's Island in 1924. The ship lies in 6 to 21m (21-69 ft.) of
water just off St. David's Head. The wreck measures 120m long (395 ft.), and its
stern is relatively intact. Divers go through the shaft housings to see the large boilers.
Stunning schools of rainbow-hued fish inhabit the site.
SOUTH WEST BREAKER
Some 2.5km (1
1
⁄
2
miles) off Church Bay, this was the
location chosen for the famous Jacqueline Bisset scene in Peter Benchley's movie
The
Deep.
The breaker was supposed to be a hideout for a man-eating squid. In reality,
the breaker was created from fossilized prehistoric worms (believe it or not). It has an
average depth of 8.5m (28 ft.), and on most days a visibility of 30m (98 ft.). New
divers prefer this site because it's not considered dangerous and it has a large variety
of hard and soft coral. It's also a good place for snorkelers. A large tunnel split through
the center of the breaker provides a protective cover for green moray eels and spiny
lobsters. Schools of barracuda are also encountered here.
TARPON HOLE
This series of large breakers lies directly off the western extrem-
ity of Elbow Beach. The site is named Tarpon Hole because of the large schools of
tarpon that often cluster here, some in excess of 2m (6
1
⁄
2
ft.) long. It is a sea world of
lush fans and soft corals, made all the more intriguing with its tunnels, caves, and
overhangs.
TAUTON
This Norwegian coastal steamer ran afoul on Bermuda's treacherous
reefs on November 24, 1920. The 68m (228-ft.) steel-hulled vessel sank in 3 to 12m
(10-39 ft.) of water off the northern end of Bermuda. Its boilers and steam engines
are still visible. This is a favorite dive for beginners, as the wreck lies in shallow water.
Because of its breathtaking varieties of fish, it's a favorite site for photographers.
Diving Schools & Outfitters
Diving in Bermuda is great for novices, who can learn the fundamentals and go diving
in 6 to 7.5m (20-25 ft.) of water on the same day as their first lesson. In general,
Bermuda's reefs are still healthy, despite talk about dwindling fish and dying coral
formations. On occasion, in addition to the rainbow-hued schools of fish, you may
even find yourself swimming with a barracuda.
Although scuba fanatics dive all year, the best diving months are May through
October. The sea is the most tranquil at that time, and the water temperature is
moderate—it averages 62°F (17°C) in the spring and fall, 83°F (28°C) in the
summer.
Weather permitting, scuba schools function daily. Fully licensed scuba instructors
oversee all dives. Most dives are conducted from a 12m (39-ft.) boat, and outfitters
cover a wide range of dive sites. Night dives and certifications are also available.
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