ARISTO - North Shore

The ARISTO, a passenger freighter that went down in 1937 while being towed, lies just off Bermuda’s North Shore. We love this site for its accessibility and how much of the old ship remains distinct, not just a pile of scattered metal. Sitting upright at a shallow 12 metres, you can spend a full hour exploring the bow and stern sections, even poking your head into some of the cargo holds. Our favourite time to dive ARISTO is mid-morning, when the sun angles just right through the water, illuminating the main deck and revealing the schools of sergeant majors that flit around the superstructure. Look closely and you’ll spot parrotfish munching on the coral growth, and often a moray eel peeking from a crevice. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for photographers wanting to capture the ship’s moody silhouette against the blue, or for anyone who enjoys a leisurely wreck exploration without strong currents or deep depths.

Location
North Shore, Bermuda, Caribbean
Coordinates
32.479000, -64.657330
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
12m

Wreck History - ARISTO

Year Sunk
1937
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
storm
Tonnage
3,467 GRT

The vessel known as the Aristo began her life in 1901 as the British steamship SS Induna. Built in Port Glasgow, she served for decades as a typical cargo freighter of her era. By the 1930s, she was sailing under the Norwegian flag, continuing to ply the Atlantic trade routes.

Her final voyage in March 1937 was cut short by severe engine trouble, forcing her to be taken under tow towards Bermuda for essential repairs. As she neared the islands, a powerful storm struck the area. The violent seas and high winds put immense strain on the tow line, which eventually snapped. Helpless and without power, the Aristo was relentlessly driven by the storm onto the treacherous reefs of Bermuda's North Shore, where she broke apart and sank.

Resting at a depth of 12 meters, the Aristo is now a classic Bermuda wreck dive. The wreck is scattered across a wide area of the reef, with her massive boilers and triple-expansion steam engine standing as the most prominent and recognizable features. Divers can navigate through the debris field, which has been thoroughly colonized by vibrant corals and is patrolled by schools of parrotfish, angelfish, and sergeant majors, offering a perfect blend of maritime history and marine life.

Marine Protected Area: Castle Harbour Islands Nature Reserve

Nearby Dive Sites in North Shore

Nearest Dive Centres to ARISTO

Marine Life in North Shore

Home to 339 recorded species including 286 reef fish, 17 hard corals, 10 sharks & rays, 8 seagrass & algae, 5 other, 3 octopus & squid.

Notable Species