Wreck diving
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Legis at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Wreck diving is a specific type of scuba diving. Most wreck diving is done on shipwrecks, but wrecks of aircraft are also commonly explored by scuba divers. There are also a lesser number of more exotic wrecks which are dived upon, ranging from trains and buses to collapsed naval radar stations.
All scuba divers require some form of training, but many divers engage in additional training before diving on wrecks. Wreck diving is often subdivided into three types:
- non-penetration, ie. swimming over and around the wreck.
- limited penetration, going into an overhead environment, subject to a limit of 130 feet/40 meters cumulative linear distance to surface (ie. depth plus length of penetration).
- full penetration, going deeper into the overhead environment in the wreck.
Non-penetration diving can usually be undertaken safely by most certified scuba divers. Divers are often recommended to undertake additional training, such as a wreck diver specialty course, before engaging in limited penetration diving. Full penetration diving is regarded as a type of technical diving, which requires significant additional experience, training and equipment.
DestinationsAlmost every scuba diving destination in the world offers some form of wreck diving. For many areas this is as an alternative to diving on coral and other reefs; in other areas, the wrecks are the only diving attraction.
LearnIn addition to basic scuba diving certification, many people intending to dive on wrecks seek further training, both for their own safety, and also to increase their enjoyment.
Get inFor a general synopsis of this topic, see the relevant subsections under Scuba diving - Get in and the national and regional dive guide articles.
DoWreck diving is an attractive activity for scuba divers for several different reasons:
BuyIn addition to conventional scuba diving equipment, wreck divers will normally carry additional items of kit.
Stay safeIn addition to general safety advice relating to diving (as to which, see Scuba diving - stay safe) wreck divers face a number of hazards in addition to those present in conventional scuba diving.
RespectMany popular diving wrecks have suffered over the years due to the depredations of souvenir hunting divers.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Wreck diving" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: User: (WT-shared) Legis at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons