Suzy's Wreck (SS Rita) - Goa Wreck Diving

24m Max

5-15m Vis

boat

Site Overview

Suzy's Wreck also known as the SS Rita is Goa's most famous dive site featuring a sunken cargo vessel resting at 18 to 24 metres on the sandy bottom near Grand Island. The wreck has been submerged for decades developing a mature artificial reef ecosystem with dense colonisation by soft corals, sponges, and barnacles transforming the steel hull into a thriving marine habitat. Groupers and lionfish shelter inside the deteriorating superstructure while moray eels extend from porthole openings and schools of glassfish fill the cargo holds. The wreck offers penetration opportunities for trained divers while the surrounding sandy bottom hosts garden eels and stingrays. This site represents the best of Goa's wreck diving and attracts divers from across India seeking accessible artificial reef exploration on the west coast. The wreck's position near shipping lanes means that marine colonisation benefits from nutrient-rich water delivered by passing vessel traffic creating an artificial reef ecosystem that continues to develop and mature each year. The artificial reef ecosystem that has developed on the wreck hull supports species assemblages distinctly different from those found on natural reefs providing valuable comparative ecological data for marine scientists studying habitat development. The mature artificial reef ecosystem supports diverse marine communities that differ significantly from natural reef habitats providing unique ecological observation opportunities for visiting divers.

Dive Briefing

"The dive boat departs from Bogmalo or Grand Island for the 25-minute crossing to the wreck site marked on GPS. Descend on the shot line to manage the moderate current before swimming to the wreck superstructure visible at 18 metres. Approach from the bow section noting the extensive soft coral colonisation covering the hull plates. Circle the exterior observing glassfish inside openings and groupers patrolling the perimeter at various depths. Trained wreck divers may penetrate the main cargo hold with torch illumination revealing lionfish and moray eels in dark corners. The maximum depth at the keel reaches 24 metres requiring careful air management. Ascend the shot line completing safety stops while watching for passing pelagics in the blue water. The return boat ride provides time to review wreck photography and discuss the marine colonisation patterns observed during the dive while planning subsequent wreck explorations. The return crossing provides time to review wreck photography and plan subsequent reef dives for a comprehensive exploration of the Goa diving region."