11 surreal artificial dive sites

11 surreal artificial dive sites

If you have always dreamed of discovering the mysterious lost city of Atlantis, then these dive sites are sure to fascinate you

Man was created to walk on land, but these underwater worlds suggest an alternative reality. From historic cities collapsed into the sea by nature to man-made scenes built beneath the sea, these surreal man-made dive sites are absolutely mesmerizing.

1. Parco Archeologico Sommerso di Baia, Italy

West of Naples lies the Underwater Archaeological Park of Baia, one of the few underwater archaeological parks in the world. Visitors can immerse themselves among a slew of ancient statues from Baia, a Roman resort town that served the recreational needs of the rich and powerful Roman elite for centuries.

The hedonism didn't last, however, as invading Saracens sacked the city in the 8th century. In the 16th century, the remains of the once luxurious city were abandoned and eventually gave way to the sea.

2. Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada

The self-proclaimed “world’s first underwater sculpture gallery” was created by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. It features exhibitions of cement figures installed on the seabed, from single people to a circle of children holding hands.

The sculptures are at different depths, the deepest being 12 meters. Tourists are encouraged to visit the park as it distracts divers and snorkelers from popular natural reefs and allows time for repairs and regeneration.

3. Ancient cities of Alexandria, Herakleion and Canopus, Egypt

On July 21, 365 AD, around sunrise, there was a catastrophic earthquake around the Greek island of Crete. A tsunami followed and Alexandria's Portus Magnus and the cities of Herakleion and Canopus in Aboukir Bay were almost destroyed.

In 1992, a research and excavation project to determine the ancient location of the submerged ancient zones began and continues to this day. Recreational divers can apply for a special permit to participate.

4. Museo Subacuatico de Arte, Mexico

In 2009, a monumental underwater contemporary art museum called MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte) was founded in the waters surrounding Cancun, Mexico.

The project includes over 500 permanent life-size sculptures and is one of the world's largest man-made underwater art attractions. There are two galleries to explore. The first is eight meters deep and suitable for both divers and snorkelers, the second is four meters deep and only suitable for snorkeling.

5. Yonaguni Monument, Japan

The Yonaguni Monument is located in a submerged rock formation off the coast of Yonaguni in Okinawa, Japan. The site's origins have caused some debate: some claim the structures are man-made tiered monoliths, others say they are entirely natural, while a third group claims it is a natural site altered by humans.

Either way, the mystery only adds to the site's eerily angular appearance.

6. Christ of the Abyss, Italy

A 2.5-meter-tall bronze statue of Jesus Christ was intentionally submerged off the coast of San Fruttuoso, Italy, in 1954. The statue, lying 17 meters below the surface, was sculpted by Guido Galletti and is located near the spot where Dario Gonzatti, the first Italian to use diving equipment, died in 1947.

It shows Christ offering a blessing of peace with his head held high and his hands raised. There are also two replicas underwater, the first in 1961 in Grenada and the second in 1962 off the coast of Florida, USA.

7. Underwater Post Office, Vanuatu

The world's only underwater mailbox is located off Efate Island in Vanuatu. This underwater branch of the Vanuatu Post Office allows visitors to send special waterproof postcards by swimming down and dropping them into the mailbox.

The post office is only three meters underwater and is therefore accessible to swimmers and snorkelers as well as divers.

8. Sunken Pirate City of Port Royal, Jamaica

Known as the world's wickedest city in the 17th century, Port Royal was home to pirates from all over the world, some from waters as far away as Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.

Pirates flocked to the Caribbean port thanks to its coma-inducing rum, readily available prostitution and reputation as a relatively safe haven from patrolling European warships.

On June 7, 1692, the city was struck by a devastating earthquake and tsunami, causing most of its northern part to collapse into the sea. Today, divers can explore the relics of the godless city, which is now a national heritage site and has been compared to Pompeii for its archaeological wonders.

Unfortunately, special government access is required for recreational divers to dive the restricted Port Royal ruins.

9. Ancient city of Dwarka, India

The ancient city of Dwarka has largely been viewed as a myth. However, in 2000, ruins were discovered in the Gulf of Cambay, reigniting the debate. According to legend, Lord Krishna ruled over the magnificent city of Dwarka, which consisted of hundreds - possibly thousands - of palaces made of gold and silver.

After Krishna's death, Dwarka allegedly sank into the sea. The ruins lie almost 40 meters below the surface in the bay of what is now Dwarka, one of the seven oldest cities in India. Artifacts dating back to 7,500 BC have been found. Recovered in 200 BC, supporting the theory that the ruins may be the ancient Dwarka.

10. Neptune Memorial Reef, USA

Neptune is a rather unusual memorial concept off the coast of Florida, where cremated human remains are mixed with cement to form the features of an artificial reef.

Originally conceived as an artistic interpretation of the lost city of Atlantis, the site is open to families to dive and visit their buried loved ones. The area is also open to curious recreational divers.

The monument is located 12 meters below the surface and includes underwater passageways leading to a central feature with benches and statues. Only in America, right?

11. Lion City on Lake Qiandao, China

We've saved the best for last: China's Lion City has been hailed as the most spectacular underwater city in the world. It is also the only freshwater dive site on the list.

The Lion City was built in the Eastern Han Dynasty between 25 and 200 AD and is now located 26 to 40 meters below the surface of Thousand Island Lake, an area that was deliberately flooded to create a dam in the 1950s. Currently, Shi Cheng remains undisturbed, but there is a diving company that offers trips to Qiandao Lake twice a month and has started exploring this submerged city.

A Chinese-Italian consortium has also begun developing a prototype for a floating submersible tunnel across the lake. Only in China, right?

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Cover photo: Cristian Umili/Shuttersock

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