BLANCHE KING
Protected Area
Palm Island
Why dive here
With 328+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue sharks, bull sharks, dolphins and eagle rays - BLANCHE KING offers some of North Shore's richest wreck diving.
The Blanche King sits in a surprisingly shallow 10 metres, a real boon for divers who appreciate longer bottom times and excellent natural light penetration. This isn't one of those wrecks where you need to peer into the gloom. Instead, the sunlight often dances across the collapsed stern and the distinct boiler, highlighting the encrusting corals and sponges. We love the way the wreck has settled, creating a fantastic playground for smaller reef fish; you’ll often spot schools of snapper darting in and out of the broken hull plates, and the resident moray eels seem quite comfortable in their newfound homes. The Blanche King went down in 1920, and the years have softened her edges, turning a dangerous wreck into a living reef. Our favourite part has to be exploring the bow section, still somewhat intact, where you can easily picture her as a merchant vessel. Watch for the barracuda that frequently cruise overhead, using the wreck as a convenient hunting ground. It’s a site that really suits divers who enjoy a relaxed pace, plenty of ambient light, and the chance to thoroughly explore a historical wreck without the pressure of depth.
Typical BLANCHE KING Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
BLANCHE KING Wreck History
Year Sunk
1920
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
The Blanche King was an American three-masted schooner, a graceful vessel that plied the Atlantic trade routes in the years following the First World War. Measuring nearly 60 meters in length, she was typical of the large merchant sailing ships that were still a common, though fading, sight in the age of steam.
On New Year's Day 1920, while approaching Bermuda, the Blanche King was caught in a storm. The powerful winds and waves drove the schooner onto the treacherous reefs of the island's North Shore. The vessel broke apart and sank, her cargo lost and her sailing days brought to an abrupt and violent end.
Resting in just 10 meters of water, the Blanche King is now a fantastic and highly accessible wreck dive. The vessel is broken up, with her keel, ribs, and sections of her hull scattered across the seabed, creating a fascinating underwater landscape. Its shallow depth allows for long bottom times and excellent light, making it a favorite among photographers and novice wreck divers looking to explore a piece of Bermuda's maritime history.
Nearest Dive Centres to BLANCHE KING
Dive shops near BLANCHE KING
Blue Water Divers & Watersports Limited
Fantasea Diving and Watersports
Dive Bermuda Limited
Reviews for BLANCHE KING
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BLANCHE KING
BLANCHE KING Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BLANCHE KING, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (32.32, -64.84) (0km away)
August Averages
Air Temperature
27.53°C
82°F
Wind Speed
7.06 m/s
13.7 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1019.4 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
Book a dive trip in North Shore
Guided dives, courses & snorkel tours - instant booking
Where to Stay near BLANCHE KING
Prices from Booking.com. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.