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Top 6 Artificial Reef Dives

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artificial reef dives

artificial reef dives

Wreck diving is a passion for many. For some it is the history surrounding the wrecks, for others it is the marine life that finds refuge there and for others it is simply the joy of diving around a wreck, having a look inside and exploring the structures. This passion for rusting metal has encouraged a numbers of countries to deliberately sink boats, ships and military vehicles that have reached the end of their life on the seas, or the battlefield. Here are our top 6:

Charlie Brown, St Eustatius, Caribbean

The Charlie Brown (pictured left) is a 100m long cable layer sunk in 2003 off the tiny Caribbean island of St Eustatius. We assisted with the preparation to sink this ship and were the first people to dive it. It lies on its side in 30m of clear blue water and the shallowest of the structure is at around 18m. Schools of jacks swirl around the wreck, turtles make use of the many places to take shelter and small fish and octopus hide in every hole. The 13 years under the water has seen prolific coral growth.

www.scubaqua.com

artificial reef dives

Big Crab, Bahamas, Caribbean

Stuart Cove’s Dive Centre co-ordinated the sinking of this wreck (pictured right) near their famous shark feeding site. Just off the bow there is a lovely patch of reef and so divers can choose what type of dive they fancy. The best way to enjoy this wreck is when the Stuart Cove team put a bait box inside the wreck and you can explore it in the company of some 20 or so Caribbean Reef Sharks swimming around the small wreck with you.

www.stuartcove.com

Vandenburg, Key West, USA

The Vandenburg (pictured below) was sunk of the Florida coast in 2009. It was a former missile tracking ship and probably, the most impressive features are the large aerial arrays that you can dive around. It is a large ship wreck at 150m in length and can take several dives to fully explore. It sits fully upright in the water and so to ensure boat clearance, some structures had to be cut down to give 12m from the top of the wreck to the surface.

www.fla-keys.com

artificial reef dives

Kittiwake, Cayman Islands, Caribbean

The ex-USS Kittiwake (pictured below) is situated in a marine park off Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean. To visit this wreck you have to pay a marine park fee which is used to protect this area and ensure the wreck remains in a good and safe condition. The ship used to be a submarine rescue vessel and was sunk deliberately for divers in 2011. Set in shallow water, with escape routes cut into her structure, this is a popular wreck for novice divers as well as underwater photographers who want to get images both inside and out.

www.divetech.com

artificial reef dives

Ocean Revival, Portugal

Ocean Revival (pictured below) is a series of 4 wrecks which have been deliberately sunk near each other off the coast of the Algarve in Portugal to create an immense artificial reef. All 4 ships were decommissioned ex-navy ships, sunk in 2012 and include a corvette, a frigate, a patrol ship and a hydrographic ship. The ships were sunk to promote marine life in the area and are now home to a huge array of species from colourful nudibranchs to inquisitive ocean triggerfish.

www.oceanrevival.org/en

artificial reef dives

Machafushi, Maldives

The wreck of the Kudhimaa lies just off the island of Machafushi in the Maldives. It was sunk in 1998 to provide divers with something different from the sharks, mantas and other marine life dives the area is known for. It sits upright in the water and is a great site for underwater photography. The wreck is covered in marine life, with coral and sponges clinging to every surface. Batfish follow you on the dive as you hunt for frogfish, scorpionfish and eels hiding on the structure.

www.emperormaldives.com

artificial reef dives

Did your favourite artificial reef make it on to the list? Have you dived on any of the artificial reefs that are included? Let us know in the comments section below!

Photos: www.frogfishphotography.com

Nick and Caroline (Frogfish Photography) are a married couple of conservation driven underwater photo-journalists and authors. Both have honours degrees from Manchester University, in Environmental Biology and Biology respectively, with Nick being a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, a former high school science teacher with a DipEd in Teaching Studies. Caroline has an MSc in Animal Behaviour specializing in Caribbean Ecology. They are multiple award-winning photographers and along with 4 published books, feature regularly in the diving, wildlife and international press They are the Underwater Photography and Deputy Editors at Scubaverse and Dive Travel Adventures. Winners of the Caribbean Tourism Organization Photo-journalist of the Year for a feature on Shark Diving in The Bahamas, and they have been placed in every year they have entered. Nick and Caroline regularly use their free time to visit schools, both in the UK and on their travels, to discuss the important issues of marine conservation, sharks and plastic pollution. They are ambassadors for Sharks4Kids and founders of SeaStraw. They are Dive Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas and are supported by Mares, Paralenz, Nauticam and Olympus. To find out more visit www.frogfishphotography.com

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GEAR REVIEW: JOBY SeaPal Underwater Housing for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy (Watch Video)

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JOBY SeaPal

In a video shot exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman reviews the JOBY SeaPal underwater housing for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy phones.

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Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire

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Dive Friends teaches the Instructor Development Course (IDC) several times a year to students who are eager to share their passion for diving with the world.

Dive Friends is known for the personal approach throughout the course. Their in-house course director will lead the students through every essential step, mentoring them to achieve their fullest potential as a dive instructor.

Applications for the following IDC start dates are now open:

  • 12 April
  • 5 July,
  • 20 September
  • 29 November

Partnership with Casita Palma

If the student opts for the IDC-Deluxe or IDC-Supreme package, their accommodation will be arranged for them at Casita Palma. This small and quiet resort is within walking distance from Dive Friends Bonaire’s main dive shop location and has everything you need to relax after an intense day of IDC training. Breakfast is included, so the student will always be fuelled and ready for their day.

Contact Dive Friends Bonaire’s Course Director Eddy for more information: coursedirector@divefriendsbonaire.com.

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Experience the Red Sea in May with Bella Eriny Liveaboard! As the weather warms up, there’s no better time to dive into the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea. Join us on Bella Eriny, your premier choice for Red Sea liveaboards, this May for an unforgettable underwater adventure. Explore vibrant marine life and stunning coral reefs Enjoy comfortable accommodation in our spacious cabins Savor delicious meals prepared by our onboard chef Benefit from the expertise of our professional dive guides Visit our website for more information and to secure your spot: www.scubatravel.com/BellaEriny or call 01483 411590 More Less

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