Wailea - Hawaii

The Akka Wreck, nestled on Scotland's west coast, isn't just another sunken ship. It’s a proper expedition, a real journey through history submerged. We love how the Akka just *feels* Scottish – rugged, a bit moody, and utterly compelling. Drop down and you’re instantly in its world; the bow points west, the stern to the east, broken but still retaining its shape. What really gets us about the Akka is the scale and the surprises. As you move along the main deck, there are these huge, gaping holds where the light pushes through. It’s dark inside but not claustrophobic, and you can duck into some of the more open sections. Keep an eye out for the resident wrasse; they're bold here, darting between the metalwork. Our favourite detail has to be the mast, still mostly intact and reaching up, covered in hydroids that sway with the gentle surge. It’s not a shallow dive, so you’ll want decent air consumption and maybe a twinset to really take your time. This is for divers who appreciate a wreck with a story, not just a structure, and don’t mind a bit of a current to earn their views.

Location
Hawaii, United States, North America
Coordinates
20.683400, -156.444100
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Wailea

Year Sunk
1940
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
collision
Tonnage
5,409 GRT

The SS Akka was a Swedish steamship carrying a vital cargo of iron ore from Narvik, Norway, destined for the war effort in Britain. On the night of April 2, 1940, while navigating the often-treacherous Sound of Mull in a convoy, she found herself in the midst of a fierce storm. In the poor visibility and churning seas, she collided with the SS Maple, another vessel in the convoy. The damage was catastrophic. The Akka sank within minutes, taking her entire crew with her, a tragic loss in the early days of the war.

Resting in approximately 40 meters of water, the Akka is now one of the classic deep wreck dives on Scotland's west coast. The wreck is broken into two main sections, the bow and the stern, lying about 100 meters apart. Strong tidal currents sweep through the Sound of Mull, making this a dive for experienced individuals, best dived at slack water. The stern section is the more substantial of the two, where divers can explore the rudder and propeller. The surrounding hull plates are adorned with a beautiful tapestry of plumose anemones, dead man's fingers, and resident conger eels, making it a spectacular sight in the deep, green waters.

Marine Protected Area: Offshore Island

Best Time to Dive in Hawaii

The warmest water temperatures in Hawaii occur in September, averaging 29.0°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 25.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.2°C
  • February: 25.7°C
  • March: 25.6°C
  • April: 26.0°C
  • May: 26.8°C
  • June: 27.6°C
  • July: 27.9°C
  • August: 28.5°C
  • September: 29.0°C
  • October: 28.6°C
  • November: 27.9°C
  • December: 27.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Hawaii

Nearest Dive Centres to Wailea

Marine Life in Hawaii

Home to 23 recorded species including 17 reef fish, 3 other, 2 sharks & rays, 1 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Wailea

Based on average water temperature of 27.2°C, currents 9 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories