New for Summer 2025: The Wreck!
Our brand-new exhibit, based on the USS Kittiwake shipwreck, is filled with 150,000 litres of water and 5 tonnes of salt!
'The Wreck' tells the story of the vital global role artificial reefs play in enhancing marine biodiversity, restoring degraded habitats and supporting coastal communities. There’s an estimated 3 million shipwrecks scattered across the ocean floor, from sunken WWII Military ships to small wooden vessels. 40,000 are believed to be around UK waters! These man-made structures provide an ideal surface for reefs to grow and species to thrive, so are often intentionally sunk for this purpose.
The USS Kittiwake assisted in submarine operations across the Atlantic and Mediterranean before it was donated to the Cayman Islands in 2008 and intentionally sunk in January 2011 to form an artificial reef. Over the years, the underwater wreck has blossomed into a beautiful and dynamic environment for marine life. It has since become a popular dive site to explore as it is only 55 feet below the surface and easily accessible.
