Reef Wrecks

The waters off the Florida Keys are home to a time capsule: the famed and eerie Shipwreck Trail. From World War II freighters to 19th-century steamships, these relics of a bygone era are preserved in their watery graves, home to an exotic array of marine life.

Most of the ship and plane wrecks that line the reefs surrounding the Bahamian island of New Providence have a cinematic quality to them. And with good reason: Many were actually used in a handful of classic Hollywood films dating back to 1916. Dive into the rich history of these ghostly relics.

The number of shipwrecks off the coast of Roatan suggest that these waters pose a threat to passing vessels – but the fact is most of these ships were deliberately sunk. The purpose? To create artificial reefs that attract a dazzling array of marine plants and creatures, in a bid to form a sustainable ecosystem.

Shy sweepers, territorial grouper, and the world's largest fish, the whale shark, all have one thing in common: They love a good shipwreck. Explore the sunken ships off the Yucatan Peninsula as they slowly transform into coral reefs, becoming a surprising and much-needed source of food and shelter.