wreck

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Charles P. Minch (Wreck)

Diving the Charles P. Minch isn't your typical tropical reef excursion. This is cold-water wreck diving at its best, a real plunge into history. The Minch, a wooden schooner that went down in the early 20th century, rests upright and remarkably intact on the bottom. We love the way the timbers have held together, creating swim-throughs and pockets where the light, even at depth, filters through in eerie shafts. You'll spend most of your time exploring the hull, deck, and what’s left of the rigging. It’s a photographer's dream for mood and texture. As for marine life, forget colourful corals. Here, it’s all about the residents that have claimed the wreck as their own. We've seen fat Yellow Perch lurking in doorways, their stripes almost glowing, and once, a huge pike slowly cruising the length of the deck, eyeing us with disdain. Keep an eye out for Nine-spined Sticklebacks darting between the planks and the occasional burbot tucked into a dark corner. This site suits divers with a good grasp of buoyancy and a keen interest in maritime history; it’s not a drift dive, but exploring the nooks requires control. For us, it’s a compelling look at a moment frozen in time, deep beneath the surface.