15 shipwrecks visible from land

When I think of shipwrecks, my thoughts immediately drift toward images of treasure chests, jugs of rum, and the Kraken. I don’t tend to think of shipwreck sites as being particularly convenient places to visit: there are diving lessons, boat charters, and submarines that all need to be sorted out first. And I don’t even own a set of swim fins.

Then, I stumbled across a photo of the Peter Iredale. Over 100 years old, full of maritime history, and easily accessible on the beach in Fort Stevens State Park, Oregon, this wreck showed me that you can visit some famous wrecks without even getting your toes wet.

Take a look at these shipwrecks that have become a part of their surrounding landscapes.

1

Fort Stevens State Park, Oregon, United States

The remains of the Peter Iredale can be found on a stretch of sand in Fort Stevens State Park. The wreck site has been a tourist attraction since the day it ran aground in 1906 after hitting windy weather coupled with strong currents. Over the last century, much of the remains have deteriorated, but a large piece of the ship is easily accessible during low tide.
(Photo: Jim Fischer)

2

Aral Sea, Uzbekistan

Once a major fishing port, Moynaq is now 150km away from the shore of the present-day Aral Sea. The ships whose remains make up this landscape didn't crash here. Rather, the water receded beneath them when two rivers that fed the sea were diverted for irrigation. In one of the largest ecological disasters caused by man, the once 4th-largest in-land sea shrank by 90%, leaving the fishing economy of Moynaq in ruins.
(Photo: M.Munneke)

3

Homebush Bay, Australia

Known mostly for being the site of the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Homebush Bay/Sydney Olympic Park is also home to several visible shipwrecks. Once used as a ship-breaking yard, the bay houses two main wrecks that can be easily seen and accessed, especially during low tide.
(Photo: Brent Pearson)

Intermission

Travel

The optimal road trip to see all the US national parks, mapped

Aug 2, 2021 Morgane Croissant

Outdoor

23 of the bluest, clearest waters on the planet

Nov 3, 2020 Joe Batruny

Galleries

39 of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world

Jul 18, 2019 Albie Hartshill

4

Rhossili Beach, Wales

The coast of the Gower Peninsula is scattered with the remains of over 250 shipwrecks in varying stages of decay. At least three such wrecks can be found on Rhossili Beach, including the remains of the Helvetia, a Norwegian vessel that washed ashore in 1887.
(Photo: Theodore Scott)

5

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Several shipwreck sites can be found in the waters off the coast of Punta Cana and are popular dive spots for tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of some Caribbean sea critters. A few of these wrecks, including the famed Astron, can be spotted from the comfort of your reclining beach chair.
(Photo: Ed Yourdon)

6

Vila Nova de Milfontes, Odemira, Portugal

Exhaustive Googling found no information about this abandoned tug boat beached near the Vila Nova de Milfontes in Odemira other than the fact that many have been pleasantly surprised by its presence on one of the area's most attractive beaches.
(Photo: Sergio Tudela Romero)

7

Point Reyes, California, United States

Point Reyes National Seashore in California has a history of being a magnet for boats. In an attempt to reduce the high number of shipwrecks along the rocky coastline, the US Lighthouse Service built the Point Reyes Light Station in 1870. Despite their efforts, over 50 ships have been lost in this area. The SS Point Reyes, pictured here, can be found on a sandbar in nearby Inverness.
(Photo: Orin Zebest)

Intermission

Culture

The funniest French expressions (and how to use them)

Aug 27, 2021 Morgane Croissant

Galleries

39 of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world

Jul 18, 2019 Albie Hartshill

Outdoor

How to explore breathtaking southern Greenland

Jan 24, 2019 Jorgo Kokkinidis

8

Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain

One of the most famous shipwrecks still in existence, the American Star can be found off the coast of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. After a decades-long career, the ship encountered stormy weather while being towed to Thailand in the early 1990s, where it was meant to be retired and converted into a 5-star floating hotel. Over the years, the wreck has been deteriorating slowly back into the sea. Only parts of the bow remain above water today.
(Photo: Francesco Paroni Sterbini)

9

Navagio Beach, Zakynthos, Greece

Also known as Smuggler's Cove, Navagio Beach in Zakynthos is one this area's most popular tourist attractions. Traditional stories regarding the wreck maintain that the boat was smuggling cigarettes and alcohol while being pursued by the Greek Navy. In a storm, the boat was forced into this sandy cove, where the crew allegedly fled, evading capture.
(Photo: Ghost of Kuji)

10

Skeleton Coast, Namibia

The Eduard Bohlen ran aground on Namibia's Skeleton Coast in 1909 due to heavy fog. After attempts to tow the ship back to sea failed and a brief stint as a hotel for workers in a nearby diamond mine, the ship was finally abandoned. Its remains can now be found several hundred meters inland in the Namib Desert.
(Photo: Flavia_FF)

11

Grytviken, South Georgia

Grytviken's whaling station closed in 1966, leaving behind the remnants of a once successful whaling industry. Today, the shipwrecks and abandoned facilities are a popular stop for tourist ships visiting Antarctica. Pictured here, the Petrel was once a key whale-catching vessel. Two sealing vessels, Albatross and Dias, are also decaying nearby.
(Photo: Serge Ouachée)

Intermission

Culture

The 17 most beautiful college campuses in the US

Aug 12, 2021 Emese Fromm

Outdoor

How to explore breathtaking southern Greenland

Jan 24, 2019 Jorgo Kokkinidis

Outdoor

How to climb Colorado’s beautiful and intimidating Ouray Ice Park

Jan 29, 2019 Katie Botwin

12

Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece

The wreck of the Dimitrios can be seen off the shore near the town of Gythio. Rumors indicate the ship was caught carrying drugs into Europe and had been impounded before being abandoned. Others say that the boat ran into poor weather conditions and the crew fled. Until verifiable facts about the Dimitrios surface, this shipwreck remains a mystery.
(Photo: stefg74)

13

Fraser Island, Australia

Built in 1904, the Maheno had a successful shipping history -- even serving as a hospital ship in WWI -- before being sold for scrap in 1935. While being towed to a Japanese scrapyard, the ship hit an unusual out-of-season cyclone and ended up beached on the shore of Fraser Island. After several unsuccessful attempts to return the ship to the sea, it was ultimately abandoned.
(Photo: R. M. Calamar)

14

Nouadhibou, Mauritania

With over 300 wrecks scattered around the harbor, the Bay of Nouadhibou is one of the largest boat graveyards in the world. No maritime tales of scallywags or sea monsters here. Just a few corrupt harbor officials who allowed ships to be discarded here for a cheap price.
(Photo: Niko)

15

Aran Islands, Ireland

The Plassey was thrown against the rocks of Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands, in 1960 during a severe storm. The isolated island's rescue team gathered to assist the crew, using a rocket-fired "breeches buoy" to haul crew members to safety. Despite treacherous conditions, no lives were lost.
(Photo: Alberto Perdomo)