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HMMS 168

The HMMS 168 is a bit of a Portofino enigma, and that’s precisely why we love it. This minesweeper, sunk in 1945, rests shallow at 11 metres, making it incredibly accessible. You're not descending into dark abyss here, but rather a sun-dappled historical journey. We've often found ourselves circling her bow, peering into what's left of the superstructure. What makes the 168 special is less about grand structure and more about the delicate marine life that has claimed it. Schools of damselfish dart in and out of the metalwork, a flurry of silver against the rust. Moray eels peer from crevices, their heads swaying gently. Look closely among the anemones blooming on the deck plates for tiny nudibranchs, often overlooked. This isn't a dive for ticking off big pelagics, but for those who appreciate the quiet conversation between history and nature. It’s a photographer’s dream on a sunny day, with shafts of light illuminating the wreck, painting the scene in blues and golds.