Most Beautiful Shipwrecks – OROGOLD Reviews
According to the United Nations, there are more than 3 million shipwrecks currently lying on the ocean floor. These beautiful ships once majestically sailed the seas, but are now a haunting reminder of the true power of the ocean. Shipwrecks have long been a fascination for travelers, divers and explorers, and with many of them visible from the ground, you do not need to be an experienced diver to appreciate their magnificent beauty. To help you shortlist between the millions of alternatives, OROGOLD reviews the most beautiful shipwrecks in the world here.
Dimitrios, Greece
Dimitrios is one of the most famous Greek shipwrecks, mostly due to its location – nearby an easily accessible beach with a picturesque surrounding. The exact origins of the ship are unknown, but rumors point to it being a smuggling ship, transporting cigarettes between Turkey and Italy, after which it was caught by authorities, released from the port, and set on fire. It is assumed that the wreck only happened in the last 10 to 20 years, and even though rust is slowly taking over the ship, it is still intact, and is an easy wreck to explore up close.
Russian Spy Ship, South Egyptian Red Sea
This ship is known as the ‘Russian wreck’, and is thought to have sunk at some point before 1982. Located just off Zabagad Island, it lies 80 feet underwater, after a likely head-on collision with a reef. It is believed that the ship was some sort of Russian spy ship, as, from the 1950s onwards, the Soviets were using commercial vessels to gather intelligence. Divers have explored the shipwreck, and have found a huge array of electronic equipment, including over 200 batteries and large cables.
P29, Malta
The P29 was a navy patrol boat measuring 167 feet in length. It sank in September 2007, although a more detailed history of the ship is unknown. Currently residing on the ocean floor, the P29 is now a popular dive site due to its ghostly appearance and endless points of interest. With many narrow passages that divers can swim through, and an abundance of original instruments and paintings still in place, it is also a great destination for those interested in underwater photography.
World Discoverer, Solomon Islands
The World Discoverer used to be a cruise ship, although at 287 feet long, is smaller than many of the grand cruise ships we see today. Located at Roderick Bay in the Solomon Islands, this wreck has become a popular tourist attraction due to the fact that it is so easily accessible. In April 2000, the ship collided with a reef and started to sink, but because of the high amount of civil unrest in the area at the time, salvaging the ship was not possible. Luckily, there were no fatalities. Since it is located near the shore, many of the original fixtures are no longer present, as looters regularly raided the ship for anything of value.
For those of you who are comfortable underwater, many shipwrecks have been turned into popular dive sites, and, with sea creatures making their homes in pipes and crevices, are a great location to explore if you are going to be spending a few hours in the ocean.