Bermuda is the shipwreck capital of the western hemisphere. Hundreds of ships met their fate on the shallow reefs surrounding the island from the time of Columbus to the present. Beginners wanting to 'get their feet wet' on wreck diving need to make the trek to Bermuda. It is a very British island, with proper dress required for dining, etc. - no bare feet or swimsuits in public, and many places require gentlemen to wear a tie for dinner. Also, keep in mind that Bermuda is a pricy destination - much more expensive to lodge, eat, etc. than even the Cayman islands. Consider getting a package deal, or renting a villa rather than staying in a hotel. Cabs are outrageously expensive - try the excellent bus system instead. The diving is also more British than Caribbean - you will be setting up and changing your own tanks, unlike the more customer oriented diving further south in the Caribbean. That being said, you can dive more wrecks in a few days here than anywhere else outside of Truk Lagoon, and they are much easier dives. If you want shallow wreck diving, Bermuda needs to be on your wish list.
Most wreck diving in Bermuda concentrates on the North and Northwest of the island, for example the Montana, used in the filming of 'The Deep', but there are also several good wreck sites on the south side, including the Pelinaion, one of the few shipwrecks one can dive underneath. The ship struck a reef in 1939, and the hull is still caught on the reef, leaving a 20 foot gap between the keel and the sand. Another famous wreck on the south side is the Marie Celeste, a civil war blockade runner, with its often photographed paddlewheels more exposed than ever due to recent hurricanes washing away some of the sand covering the wreck. It is recommended to contact the dive operator ahead of time, and let them know of any particular wreck you would like to see - also, a group will have greater say in itinerary than an individual.
November to May is the off-season, and the visibility drops considerably, from 100+ feet to 50. The waters around Berumuda tend to be a little more saline than in the Caribbean, so a pound or two of extra lead on your weight belt is common. In summer, the water temps will get into the low 80s farenheit, and wintertime it can get to the mid-60s. These temperatures, coupled with the fact that the majority of diving takes place on the wrecks, a 3mm suit and good gloves are recommended for summer, and thicker neoprene for winter.
Besides diving, Bermuda offers more golf courses per square mile than just about anywhere on earth. There is also a very good museum on the west end, and several historical sites spread around. Of course, world class shopping (with prices to match) is available all over the island.
by Jeepster
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