On All Hallows Eve those who dared, ventured in the darkness of the Bermuda Triangle and tempted fate with the first ever haunted shipwreck dive in the Bahamas. The Sapona, or concrete ship, is already the most storied and haunting wreck in the island chain of Bimini, which made it the ideal destination for a night of ghouls and goblins on the high seas. Jutting out of the water at a height of forty feet, this majestic ship was first run aground in the Great Hurricane of 1926 and then later used to store illegal rum during the United States’ prohibition years. Aside from making an appearance in one of the James Bond Novels and being fired upon by George Bush Senior in a training exercise, this sunken ship was in fact the intended destination of Flight 19 just before it disappeared into the Devil’s Triangle.
Aboard the Dive God, anxious and nervous thrill seekers left the dock of Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center as darkness fell over the island. When asked, one diver said, “I hope I don’t have a panic attack,” while another said, “this is going to be crazy.” As the vessel of brave souls approached their destination, the S.S Sapona came into view, decorated with white and red lights, a haunting image floating in the empty blackness. Once moored alongside the “haunted house,” there was no turning back.
Divers and snorkelers walked the plank and began to explore the nightmare set before them. Zombies, chains, body parts and bleeding skulls lurked around every corner. There was definitely no concern about divers leaving their buddies because no one knew what lurked just beyond the edge of their light beam. Hearts were racing by the time the divers surfaced and returned to the vessel. Along with the spooky ambiance, divers enjoyed the incredible marine life that did not seem to know this was a special occasion. The Sapona is a remarkable dive site night or day and divers are already signing up for next years annual Halloween haunted shipwreck dive. Contact Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center for more information, if you dare!
