wreck

Log This Dive

HMNLS O-16

The HMNLS O-16 is a proper deep dive, sitting at 54 metres, and it’s one of our favourite wreck dives in the region. We love the history here; it’s a Dutch submarine sunk in 1941 by a British minefield, a real relic from a complicated time. Descending through the blue, the sheer scale of the 77-metre long vessel slowly reveals itself, a long, dark shadow taking shape on the seabed. This isn’t a penetration dive for most, but the exterior offers plenty to explore. The conning tower is still largely intact, draped in whip corals and sponges, with schools of fusiliers often circling the structure. Look closely among the wreckage, and you’ll find scorpionfish camouflaged against the encrusted metal and the occasional giant moray peeking from a darkened porthole. It’s a dive that suits experienced deep divers with good air consumption and a genuine interest in maritime history. We’d suggest going early in the morning for the best chance of settled conditions and decent visibility before any thermoclines set in.