wreck

Log This Dive

LST 523

The LST 523, a Landing Ship Tank, holds a somber story, sunk by a mine just days after D-Day. We love a wreck with history you can almost feel, and this one delivers. Lying in 21 metres, she’s well within recreational limits, perfect for divers wanting to explore a substantial piece of wartime history without deep-diving complications. Dropping down onto the LST, the sheer scale of the vessel quickly becomes apparent. The bow section is particularly impressive, rising from the seabed, still showing the damage that sent her down. Inside, the cavernous tank deck is now home to an impressive collection of marine life. We’ve found conger eels the size of small tree trunks lurking in the darker corners, and the hull is absolutely plastered with jewel anemones and dead man’s fingers, creating a vibrant, colourful tapestry over the rusted metal. Schools of bib and pollack swirl around the structure, darting in and out of the openings where tanks would have once rolled. It's an atmospheric dive, giving you a real sense of the past while also showcasing the resilience of nature. For the best light on the internal spaces, we’d suggest a mid-morning dive when the sun is higher.