Whittle Rock, Cape Town, South Africa

This is not your typical shipwreck. The USCG HU-25 Falcon, tail number 2101, was a high-speed, twin-engine jet used by the United States Coast Guard for decades. These versatile aircraft were the backbone of airborne search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and environmental patrol missions. After a distinguished service life flying from Air Station Cape Cod, Falcon 2101 was retired, becoming the first-ever HU-25 to be prepared for a second life beneath the waves.

On August 11, 2010, the decommissioned jet was carefully lowered to the seabed at a depth of about 65 feet, joining the ADVANCE II on the AR-145 artificial reef. For divers, the Falcon offers a truly unique experience. The aircraft rests intact on the sand, providing an incredible photo opportunity. You can peer into the cockpit where pilots once scanned the horizon, swim the length of its sleek fuselage, and observe how the ocean is slowly transforming this piece of aviation history into a living reef, attracting triggerfish, sea bass, and other colorful residents.