wreck

Log This Dive

HMS SQUIRREL

There’s a real gravitas to the HMS Squirrel. She was a minesweeper, built in 1944, and met her end in July 1945 after hitting a mine near Phuket. The wreck itself sits upright at 20 meters, a proper historical piece rather than just a pile of metal. Swimming along her deck, you can still get a sense of her shape, the bow and stern largely intact, though time and current have done their work. What we love about the Squirrel is the way she’s been completely taken over by the reef. Large schools of snappers and fusiliers hang like shimmering curtains over the superstructure. Look closer, and you'll spot resident lionfish tucked into crevices and moray eels peeking from beneath plates of steel. Our favourite spot is usually around the bridge area, where the schools are thickest, making for some fantastic photo opportunities when the light hits just right. It’s a comfortable dive, not much current, and perfect for anyone who enjoys exploring a wreck with a story, especially those with an interest in WWII history.