Scuba Diving in Bermuda
Bermuda is one of the world's great diving destinations. Clear, warm water, the most northerly coral reefs in the Atlantic, and more than 300 shipwrecks make every dive an adventure, whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced wreck diver.
The Shipwreck Capital of the Atlantic
For over 400 years, ships have come to grief on the reefs that surround Bermuda, and the island is known as the Shipwreck Capital of the Atlantic. Bermuda's story itself begins with a wreck: in 1609 the Sea Venture, carrying settlers to Virginia, was driven onto the reefs in a hurricane. Everyone survived, Bermuda was settled, and the tale is thought to have inspired Shakespeare's The Tempest.
Salvage is prohibited by Bermudian law, so the wrecks remain remarkably intact, teeming with marine life, and most are only 30–45 minutes by boat from the dock. Favourites include:
- Mary Celestia (1864) – a Civil War paddle-steamer blockade runner that sank off the South Shore.
- Constellation (1943) – a four-masted schooner carrying wartime cargo; her story inspired Peter Benchley's novel and film The Deep. She lies beside the Montana (1863), another blockade runner.
- Cristóbal Colón (1930s) – a 499-foot Spanish luxury liner, the largest wreck in Bermuda's waters.
- L'Herminie (1838) – a French navy frigate, with her cannons still on the seabed.
- Hermes – a freighter deliberately sunk as an artificial reef, now one of the island's most popular dives.
To discover the history of Bermuda's wrecks, visit www.shipwrecks.bm.
Dive with Blue Water Divers
We recommend Blue Water Divers, Bermuda's longest-running dive centre (established 1968) and a PADI 5-Star IDC Centre. They are based at King's Wharf, Royal Naval Dockyard, a short bus or ferry ride from us, and dive year-round, with beginners, certified divers and snorkellers all welcome on the same boat.
| Trip | Who it is for | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 2-tank dive (4 hours) | Certified divers: a wreck and a reef | $170 ($220 with refresher) |
| 1-tank dive (3 hours) | Certified divers | $110 ($160 with refresher) |
| Try Scuba | No experience needed: lesson, guided dive and snorkel | $200 |
| Snorkel trip | Snorkellers and non-divers | $95 snorkeller, $40 passenger |
| PADI Open Water course | Become a certified diver (3–4 half days) | $645 |
Bookings are handled by Island Tour Centre at Dockyard: (441) 236-1300 or [email protected], or book online at divebermuda.com. All trips depend on the weather. Prices may change; please check when you book.
What you are likely to see
Bermuda's reefs and wrecks are home to a wonderful variety of fish and other sea life. On a typical dive or snorkel you may see:
- Parrotfish – rainbow, blue and stoplight parrotfish, crunching on the coral.
- Blue angelfish – named after Bermuda (Holacanthus bermudensis), in brilliant blue and yellow.
- Sergeant majors, blue tangs and wrasse – busy shoals around every reef.
- Snappers and grunts – yellowtail and grey snapper, often schooling around the wrecks.
- Hogfish, squirrelfish and trumpetfish.
- Groupers – such as the red-spotted red hind.
- Barracuda – curious but harmless.
- Moray eels and spiny lobsters – tucked into the wreckage.
- Green turtles and spotted eagle rays – always a highlight.
- Lionfish – two species, the red lionfish and the almost identical devil firefish: beautiful, but invasive; Bermudians work hard to control them, and they are delicious to eat!
Please look but don't touch: never stand on or touch the coral, and leave everything on the wrecks exactly as you find it.
Marine Life guide
Find out more, with photos, below or on our Flora & Fauna page. Each section ends with a link to a complete list of every species recorded in Bermuda, with the endemic and protected species marked.
When to dive
Diving is year-round. The water is warmest from June to October, at around 28°C (82°F), and cools to around 18–20°C (65–68°F) in winter, when a thicker wetsuit is needed. Visibility is often excellent, frequently more than 60 feet. And you don't have to go far: the snorkelling straight off our own beach is excellent too.