wreck

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HMMS 170

The HMMS 170 off Portofino is one of those wrecks that just hits different. It’s a minesweeper, sitting upright, and it feels like you're stepping back in time to 1944. You descend onto the deck, and you can still make out the anti-aircraft guns, poised as if ready for a fight. We love how intact it is, the stern especially, where the props are still there, almost perfectly preserved. As you explore, you'll find clouds of damselfish swirling around the superstructure. Look closer, and moray eels poke their heads from every nook and cranny. Our favourite part is navigating the internal corridors; the light plays through the portholes, creating this ethereal glow. It’s a proper penetration dive for those with the right training, but even from the outside, the scale and the history are palpable. This wreck suits divers who appreciate history and a bit of exploration, rather than just chasing big pelagics. We’d suggest going early to avoid the crowds from the dive boats, giving you a quieter experience.