wreck

Log This Dive

MARTHA

The Martha is a shallow wreck, plain and simple, and we love it for that. She was a wooden barge, built way back in 1847 and then sunk by a steamer in 1897 near the Victoria Tower. Today, what’s left of her sits in about 5 metres of water, spread out but still very much recognisable as a wreck. It’s an easy, calm dive, ideal for an extended bottom time, maybe even a snorkel on a good day if you fancy it. You’ll spend your time here exploring the broken timbers, which are now completely encrusted with plumose anemones, their white tentacles swaying with the gentle surge. Look closer amongst the beams, and you’ll spot shore crabs scuttling, small blennies darting into crevices, and sometimes a curious little flatfish half-buried in the sand. It’s a great spot for macro photography, or just to relax and watch the world go by. Our favourite time to dive Martha is on a calm, sunny day with a slack tide; the ambient light filtering through the surface just makes everything pop.