SS Sapona Wreck

A Ship with Nine Lives

The Sapona was built in 1920 by the Liberty Ship Building Company in Wilmington, North Carolina, one of a fleet of experimental concrete vessels commissioned during the steel shortages of World War I. After a brief career as a troop transport, she was sold to Miami Beach developer Carl Fisher, who converted her into a floating casino.

By 1924, she had been purchased by Bruce Bethell, a former British war captain who moved the ship to Bimini and used her as a floating warehouse for liquor during Prohibition, earning Bethell the nickname "Bimini's Rum King." A hurricane in 1926 drove the Sapona onto the shallow sand flat where she rests today.

Diving and Snorkeling the Wreck

With the main deck in just 10 to 15 feet of water and the deepest sections reaching only 30 feet, the Sapona is accessible to snorkelers and novice divers. The concrete hull is penetrable in many areas — sunlight pours through large holes blasted during World War II bombing practice, creating dramatic lighting for underwater photography.

The interior spaces are home to French angelfish, spotfin butterflyfish, barracuda, sergeant majors, schoolmaster snappers, and green moray eels. Nurse sharks often rest in the shadows, and the exterior hull is encrusted with sponges and soft corals after a century underwater.

Historical Significance

The Sapona's final chapter added another layer of mystery to Bimini's history. On December 5, 1945, five TBM Avenger torpedo bombers known as Flight 19 disappeared after a training run that included practice approaches over the Sapona. All 14 crew members were never found, and the incident became one of the foundational stories of the Bermuda Triangle legend.

All target practice on the Sapona stopped immediately after the disappearance, and the wreck has remained undisturbed as a dive site ever since.

What to Expect on Your Dive

Most operators combine the Sapona with other sites like Bimini Road or Rainbow Reef for a half-day excursion. The shallow depth allows extended bottom times — many divers spend an hour or more exploring the wreck and its marine inhabitants.

The exposed superstructure above water makes the Sapona easy to locate and provides a dramatic backdrop for surface photography. Currents are generally mild, though surface chop can develop in afternoon winds.

Getting there

The SS Sapona sits approximately 3 nautical miles south of South Bimini near Bennett's Harbour. All Bimini dive operators offer trips to the wreck, often combined with other sites. The journey takes 15 to 20 minutes by boat. The wreck is also accessible by private yacht — the hull is visible above water and serves as a navigational landmark.

Frequently asked questions

Can you snorkel the SS Sapona?

Yes. The Sapona is one of the best wreck snorkeling sites in the Bahamas. With much of the structure in 10 to 15 feet of water and sunlight flooding through holes in the deck, snorkelers can explore the interior and exterior thoroughly.

Is the SS Sapona safe to enter?

The main deck areas and many interior sections are accessible, with natural light providing good visibility. However, some areas have sharp metal edges and confined spaces. Divers should exercise normal wreck penetration caution and avoid entering overhead environments without proper training.

What marine life lives on the Sapona?

The wreck hosts French angelfish, spotfin butterflyfish, barracuda, sergeant majors, French grunts, bluestriped grunts, schoolmaster snappers, bar jacks, green moray eels, and nurse sharks. The hull is covered in sponges and soft corals.