Posted on Thursday, 14 January 2016

While many of us are content to explore the sandy – and ideally palm fringed – sections of land that lie beside the sea, some of us are more interested in what lies beneath this mysterious blue abyss.

From coral-covered Japanese fighter planes to rusting warships that teem with dazzling sea life – the subjects of wreck dives are as vast as they are thrilling.

Here are ten of our favourite shipwreck sites – sure to give you some ideas if you're picking a dive location for your summer holidays.

SS Thistlegorm, Egypt

In 1941 the British SS Thistlegorm was sailing for Alexandria, Egypt, when it was attacked by German bombers. She sank with the loss of nine lives. In her hold was a variety of equipment for the British armed forces in North Africa, including motorbikes, Bedford trucks and aircraft parts. It also had two steam locomotives on its decks, destined for the Egyptian railways. Today it is considered one of the world's finest dive sites, with superb visibility and plenty to see.

USAT Liberty, Bali, Indonesia

Just 30m offshore, the Liberty lies in 4-30m of water and is encrusted in a dazzling layer of corals, anemones and gorgonians. Divers cannot enter the wreck since the Japanese torpedo that sank it in 1942 made quite a mess. But you can still see the guns, toilets, boilers, anchor chain and other marine paraphernalia.

The Yongala, Australia

Often cited as one of the world's greatest dive wrecks, the Yongala sunk in a cyclone off the Queensland coast in 1911 with the loss of 122 lives, along with a racehorse named Moonshine and a Lincolnshire bull. Because the wreck is officially protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act, divers cannot explore the ship's interior. They can, however, dive around the wreck's hull, which is home to an astonishing array of sea life.

Blockship Tabarka, Scapa Flow, Orkney, Scotland

The only Northern European wreck on this list, the blockship Tabarka was sunk in the former Royal Navy base at Scapa Flow during World War Two, in order to prevent German submarines from entering the area. Today it is a popular wreck dive site often likened to a cathedral when blue light is viewed filtering down through the corroding ribs of the hull.

President Coolidge, Vanuatu

Originally a luxury ocean liner, the President Coolidge was commandeered as a troop carrier late in 1941 before hitting mines in October 1942 while near Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides. Anyone planning to explore this wreck should plan several dives given its vast size.

The Zenobia, Cyprus

This roll-on roll-off ferry sunk on its maiden voyage in 1979, laden with 120 vehicles. Thankfully no lives were lost and the wreck can be explored extensively. Located outside Lanarka harbour, this wreck also merits more than one dive given its enormous dimensions.

San Francisco Maru, Truk Lagoon, Micronesia

US dive bombers sank the San Francisco Maru in 1944 during Operation Hailstone. The ship was carrying all manner of military cargo, including three Japanese Type-95 tanks, which are astonishingly well preserved and are clearly visible to divers. The ship's rusting cargo also includes sea mines, torpedoes and even motor cars. A real treat for the seasoned wreck diver.

HMS Hermes, Sri Lanka

Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Hermes was the first ship designed to carry and launch planes, yet it had none on board to protect it when Japanese dive bombers spotted it off the Sri Lankan coast in 1942. Now home to a bewildering array of fish life, the Hermes lies in 53m of clear water on its port side.

Hilma Hooker, Bonaire, Caribbean

Considered one of the best dive wrecks in the Caribbean, the Hilma Hooker's end in 1984 was as ignominious as any in this top 10. Suffering engine problems the Hooker returned to the port of Kralendijk, Bonaire, where authorities already suspected the vessel of being used in narcotic trafficking. 11,000kg of marijuana were found secreted on board. The ship, in a poor state of repair, its owner absent, rolled over one morning and sank in under two minutes. The 240m long wreck offers plenty of scope for exploration.

Fujikawa Maru, Truk Lagoon (Chuuk Lagoon)

Another superb Japanese wreck in the Truk Lagoon and another victim of the United States' Operation Hailstorm in 1944, the Fujikawa Maru features a cargo hold full of Mitsubishi Zero fighter planes and a well-preserved and vast engine room – all delights for the wreck-loving diver.

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