Sapona Shipwreck: Diving 100 Years Back in Time

A few miles off the coast of South Bimini in the Bahamas sits the shell of a nautical giant: the Sapona shipwreck.

This concrete ship has a colorful history. Although President Woodrow Wilson originally commissioned it to transport troops during WWI, the boat wasn’t finished until after the war ended. Its subsequent owners used it mainly for storage; the Rum King of Bimini, Bruce Bethell, even used it as a floating warehouse for his liquor business during the Prohibition Era.

The Sapona Shipwreck located off the coast of south Bimini in The Bahamas.
Cole and Emily peering through a port hole of the Sapona shipwreck

After a 1926 hurricane left it damaged, U.S. fighter planes in WWII used it for bombing practice. Now it’s a half-submerged wreck, a paradise for tropical fish, and an underwater playground for those in search of adventure.

And during our honeymoon, it was practically calling our name.

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Getting our feet wet at the Sapona Shipwreck

Diving the Sapona shipwreck was an unforgettable experience. That day was all blue skies and bright sun. It was the last day of our honeymoon, so we wanted to cram in as much as possible before heading home. We sailed from Honeymoon Harbor up to the north side of the wreck.

Sapona Shipwreck located off the coast of south Bimini

A sunny day in the Bahamas equals warm, right? But the water there in February is the kind of cold that takes your breath away. There was nothing to do but jump straight in.

We jumped—and immediately felt the strong current. By the time we swam up to the boat, I (Emily) was feeling more and more nervous, to the point I wanted to turn around. But Cole persuaded me to keep going, promising it’d be worth it.

It was definitely worth it. We swam straight through the boat’s rusted, graffitied side. Sunlight filtered through the holes above, lessening the gloom. Because you could see everything, it was less like a horror movie and more like a silent ghost town. 

Emily inside the Sapona Shipwreck in Bimini, Bahamas

The boat has spent nearly a hundred years in 15 feet of water, and the sea—and its inhabitants—have taken over. Rust, rust, and more rust. Barnacles gripped the hull, having eaten away most of the concrete. Baitfish darted among the broken beams. We saw turtles moseying alongside the coral, and a manta ray skimming the rocky floor.

It was beautiful, eerie. You could feel the weight of history pressing down like the water. Who poured these concrete walls? Who once walked through these rooms? And how many divers have swum through them since?

There’s nothing quite like being in the submerged skeleton of a ship: the quiet, the tug of the current, the incredible creatures who can make a ruin their home. Each time we came up for air, all we wanted to do was go back down. 

Upping the ante

Diving the Sapona shipwreck and snapping great photos are enough reasons to visit, but if you’re the type who likes the adrenaline rush, you can climb to the top of the ship and jump off. It’s 40 feet down, but the water’s depth makes it safe to jump.

I (Cole) decided to take the leap; we’d come this far, so why not go a little bit farther? I found the rope ladder scaling the south side. Some of it had disintegrated, but it was still useable. I put on gloves, slipped on shoes, then carefully made my way up to the top deck.

Remember the sunbeams lighting up the depths below? I had to navigate the rusted holes along the concrete deck to get to the edge. It was too bad I couldn’t climb the last ten feet up to the bow, as the rope ladder was gone, but I got my first taste of adrenaline from the deck’s view alone.

With my promise to Emily from before still echoing (it’ll be worth it), I climbed up the edge, took a breath, and flung myself into freefall.

Once again, it was definitely worth it.

How can you explore the Sapona shipwreck?

Because the wreck is about 3 miles off the coast of South Bimini, you can only get there by boat. Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina offers charters or tours. If you’re visiting the Bahamas by cruise, most cruise companies offer a snorkeling tour to the Sapona.

If you find yourself in this area of The Bahamas, chances are you’re the adventurous type. But even if your nature is more stick-to-the-safety-of-the-shore, we’d encourage you to step out of your comfort zone. Or dive. Or jump.

Trust us—the Sapona’s haunting beauty, colorful sea life, and compelling story are not to be missed. And the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel afterward? Completely and utterly worth it.

*Photo credit @lcgloor while on a sailing charter with @freediversteph


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