James Bond Wrecks

The Tears of Allah

The Tears of Allah began life as a working tugboat before being purchased by film producers and sunk for the 1983 Bond remake Never Say Never Again. The vessel sits almost upright on the sandy bottom at around 45 feet, with only a slight list to port. Its structure remains largely intact after decades underwater.

A torpedo hole in the starboard hull provides an evocative photo opportunity, while the wheelhouse and deck features are easily explored. Hard and soft corals, including large sea fans and barrel sponges, have colonised the wreck, attracting reef fish, crustaceans, and occasional stingrays.

The Vulcan bomber

A two-minute swim from the Tears of Allah brings divers to the remnants of a Vulcan bomber mockup, constructed from fibreglass for the iconic bomb-theft scene in Thunderball. After filming, the prop was destroyed with explosives to prevent reuse, leaving scattered debris across the seabed.

Though far less intact than the tugboat, the Vulcan remnants carry significant cinematic history. Wing sections, fuselage fragments, and other pieces can still be identified, and the proximity to the Tears of Allah allows both wrecks to be explored on a single dive.

Diving the site

The James Bond wrecks are typically offered as part of a two-tank excursion from Nassau dive operators, often paired with a reef dive or another nearby wreck. The shallow depth and generally calm conditions make this an excellent site for newer divers or those returning to diving after a break.

Visibility commonly exceeds 60 feet, and currents are usually mild. Morning dives tend to offer the best light for photography. Large stingrays and sea turtles are frequently spotted in the surrounding sand flats.

Getting there

The James Bond wrecks are located off the southwestern shore of New Providence, west of Clifton Pier. Dive operators based in Nassau reach the site in under 30 minutes by boat. Stuart Cove's and other local operators offer regular trips, often combined with reef or shark dives for a full morning excursion.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the Tears of Allah wreck?

The wheelhouse and some deck areas are accessible for exploration. The wreck remains largely intact, though divers should exercise caution and stay within their training limits. Interior penetration beyond open areas requires appropriate wreck certification.

Is there much left of the Vulcan bomber?

The fibreglass mockup was destroyed with explosives after filming, so only scattered fragments remain. Wing sections and fuselage pieces can still be identified, but this is more of a historic novelty than a substantial wreck dive.

Which James Bond films were made here?

The Vulcan bomber appears in Thunderball (1965), while the Tears of Allah was sunk for Never Say Never Again (1983), itself a remake of Thunderball.