Unlock Sunken Treasures: Why the Wreck Diving Specialty is a Must-Have for Arizona Divers
Living in the Sonoran Desert, we dream in shades of blue. Every course we take, every piece of gear we buy, is a step towards our next great underwater adventure. We travel to see stunning coral reefs and vibrant marine life, but for many divers, the ultimate thrill lies in exploring a piece of sunken history—a shipwreck.
Wrecks are more than just rusting metal; they are underwater museums, artificial reefs teeming with life, and tangible links to the past. They offer a sense of exploration and discovery that is completely unique. From the nearby wrecks of San Carlos in the Sea of Cortez to the historic naval fleets in the South Pacific, the world’s best dive sites are full of incredible wrecks. But to dive them correctly and, most importantly, safely, you need more than just a standard Open Water certification. This is why the SSI Wreck Diving specialty is one of the most exciting and practical courses an Arizona-based diver can take.
The Allure of the Wreck
Why are we so drawn to shipwrecks?
- They are living history. Every wreck has a story. Whether it’s a scuttled Coast Guard cutter or a casualty of a World War II battle, you are visiting a moment frozen in time.
- They are magnets for marine life. Wrecks provide a solid structure in the open ocean, creating complex habitats that attract and shelter a huge diversity of fish and invertebrates. It’s common to see massive schools of fish, large groupers, and reclusive eels making their homes within these man-made reefs.
- They offer a unique challenge. Navigating a wreck, mapping its key features, and understanding the unique environment it presents is a thrilling challenge that sharpens your diving skills in every way.
More Than Just a Tour: What You Learn in the SSI Wreck Diving Course
The SSI Wreck Diving program isn’t just about swimming around a sunken ship. It’s a comprehensive course that gives you the knowledge and skills to be a safe, responsible, and confident wreck diver. You will learn how to:
- Research and locate wrecks.
- Map a wreck site, identifying key features and potential hazards.
- Master specialized finning techniques to avoid stirring up silt and to protect both the wreck and the marine life.
- Properly use lines and reels, a critical skill for navigating and ensuring a clear path back to your exit point.
- Assess and manage potential risks unique to wreck diving, like entanglement or sharp edges.
Crucially, the SSI course teaches you to understand the limits. You’ll learn the difference between diving around the exterior of a wreck and the procedures for limited penetration, ensuring you always dive within the bounds of your training.
Your Passport to Adventure, Starting in San Carlos
The best part about this specialty is that you can apply your skills almost immediately. Just a few hours’ drive from Tucson is San Carlos, Mexico, which is home to a fantastic “Wreck Alley” perfect for newly certified wreck divers. You can explore the upright Ruby E, a former Coast Guard cutter, or the larger Presidente ferry. Taking the SSI Wreck Diving course at 72 Aquatics gives you the perfect excuse to join one of our weekend trips and put your new skills to use exploring these amazing artificial reefs in the Sea of Cortez.
Unlocking the World’s Best Dive Sites
Once you have your Wreck Diving certification, your travel possibilities expand exponentially. You’ll be qualified and confident to explore some of the most legendary dive destinations on the planet:
- The Caribbean: Explore the colorful, life-covered wrecks of Aruba, Barbados, or the Florida Keys.
- The Red Sea: Dive the legendary SS Thistlegorm, a WWII British vessel still filled with its cargo of trucks, motorcycles, and military supplies.
- Truk Lagoon (Chuuk Lagoon) in Micronesia: Visit the world’s largest ghost fleet, the final resting place of dozens of ships and aircraft from the Japanese Imperial Navy.
- Scapa Flow in Scotland: For the advanced cold-water enthusiast, explore the scuttled German High Seas Fleet from WWI.
As we head into the fall of 2025, now is the perfect time to earn a new certification that will prepare you for the 2026 travel season. Don’t just swim past the next wreck you see. Have the skills to truly explore it. Stop by 72 Aquatics to sign up for the SSI Wreck Diving course and start your journey from Arizona to the world’s most incredible underwater museums.
