Sea Tiger

The Sea Tiger came to Hawaii the hard way. The Chinese trading vessel was seized in the early 1990s after being caught smuggling undocumented migrants into the islands, and the forfeited hull sat until a submarine-tour operator bought it, stripped it to bare steel, cut diver access openings, and scuttled it off Waikiki in 1999 to anchor another underwater tour route. She landed upright on sand in the mid-30s of meters, deeper than her neighbor YO-257, which gives her a different character: quieter, dimmer, and squarely an advanced dive when the full hull is toured. The wheelhouse and holds are open and easily entered by trained divers, and the ship has aged into a proper reef. Whitetip reef sharks patrol the deck, green turtles wedge themselves into sheltered corners, spotted eagle rays cruise the sand line, and taape and milletseed butterflyfish swirl over the masts. Photographers like her intact, ship-shaped profile — bow rails, ladders and companionways all still legible. Between the depth, the occasional current and the frequent turtle sightings, she has settled in as south Oahu's benchmark deeper wreck.

How she sank: Deliberately scuttled as an artificial reef off Waikiki, 1999.

Condition: Upright and intact with superstructure standing; corrosion advancing in the upper works

Penetration: Limited. Prepared openings allow guided passes through the wheelhouse and holds; depth makes overhead time expensive, so penetration stays brief and trained. Entering any overhead environment requires specific training — a wreck certification at minimum, technical wreck training for full penetration.

Recommended certification: Advanced Open Water

Current: Mild · Visibility: 15–30 m

Marine life: Whitetip reef sharks, resting green turtles, spotted eagle rays, schooling taape, and frogfish or scorpionfish for sharp-eyed guides.

Hazards: Depth for the full tour and boat traffic on the mooring