Bermudian Tug - North Shore

The Bermudian Tug, just off the North Shore, is one of our favourite shallow wrecks in Bermuda. It’s a purposeful dive, sunk in 1986 to serve as a training ground for local divers, and it’s done its job well, attracting plenty of life in its 10-meter home. We love taking newer divers here, or just heading out for a relaxed afternoon dip when the bigger wrecks feel like too much effort. The wreck itself is intact enough to feel like a real exploration. You can fin right through the wheelhouse, feeling the cooler water as you pass into the shaded interior, and poke around the engine room if you’re comfortable in confined spaces. Schools of snapper often drift through the open doorways, and we’ve seen barracuda hanging motionless over the bow more times than we can count. For photographers, the light here is incredible on a sunny day, piercing through the clear water to dapple the hull. It’s a great spot to practice buoyancy and get comfortable moving around a structure without the pressure of depth.

Location
North Shore, Bermuda, Caribbean
Coordinates
32.394500, -64.817970
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Wreck History - Bermudian Tug

Year Sunk
1933
Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
19,086 GRT

The history associated with this dive site is that of the MS Bermuda, an ocean liner often called the unluckiest ship ever built. Launched in 1928 for the prestigious New York to Bermuda run, she was the pinnacle of luxury. Her career, however, was cursed. In 1931, she was ravaged by a fire in Hamilton Harbour. After being towed to Belfast for a massive rebuild, a second, even more destructive fire broke out, rendering her beyond economic repair.

The story took its final turn in 1933 when the burnt-out hulk was being towed to a scrapyard in Scotland. The towline snapped in a severe storm, and the great liner was cast adrift. She eventually ran aground and was wrecked, a sad end for a vessel that held so much promise. While the main wreck of the liner lies off the coast of the Netherlands, the name lives on in Bermuda's rich maritime lore.

Divers visiting the site known locally as the 'Bermudian Tug' on the North Shore are exploring a different piece of history. This shallow wreck, lying in just 10 meters of water, offers a fantastic and accessible dive. While not the grand liner itself, it serves as a tangible link to the island's seafaring past, teeming with corals and fish that have colonized its structure, creating a vibrant artificial reef.

Marine Protected Area: Saltus Island

Nearby Dive Sites in North Shore

Nearest Dive Centres to Bermudian Tug

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