The Wreck of the British Loyalty: 

the Largest Shipwreck in the Maldives

A Submerged Tale of War… and Rebirth

Is there a 140-meter-long wreck you can dive in the Maldives?

Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Let us help you discover it.

In the turquoise waters of Addu Atoll, in the far south of the Maldives, lies the British Loyalty —a massive underwater colossus with a story as fascinating as it is tragic. This 140-meter-long, 5,583-ton oil tanker was built in 1928 at the renowned Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company in Newcastle, England. Designed to transport oil across the globe, it quickly became a key asset in an era when fuel was the lifeblood of military operations.

But its destiny went far beyond commerce. What began as a merchant ship ended up as a symbol of resistance, betrayal… and transformation.

A Survivor of War

The British Loyalty’s wartime story began during World War II. In May 1942, while anchored in Diego Suarez (Madagascar) —a strategic Allied port in the Indian Ocean— it was torpedoed by a Japanese Imperial Navy midget submarine. The attack was part of a campaign to disrupt Allied supply lines. The torpedo struck, but the ship didn’t sink. Thanks to its robust structure and the crew’s quick response, it remained afloat.

After temporary repairs, the ship was towed to Addu Atoll in 1943, where the British had established a secret naval base on Gan Island. There, it was converted into a floating fuel depot, supporting Royal Navy operations in the Indian Ocean —a crucial front in securing maritime routes against Axis powers.

A Second Strike… and the End of Service

In March 1944, peace was once again shattered. A German submarine, the U-183, slipped through a gap in the anti-submarine nets guarding Gan Kandu, the main channel into the atoll. It launched a torpedo that hit the British Loyalty again, inflicting serious damage. Although the ship didn’t sink, it was rendered useless. Too damaged to sail, it remained stranded in Addu until the end of the war.

In January 1946, with the war over and the British beginning their withdrawal from the Maldives, it was decided to scuttle the vessel. It was towed to its final resting place between the islands of Maradhoo and Hithadhoo, and was bombarded by a British warship —sunk not by enemy fire, but by its own navy. A cruel irony for a ship named British Loyalty.

A Dive into the Past

Today, the British Loyalty lies on its side at 33 meters deep, silent and still. Diving into its waters means diving into its story. From the very first meters of descent, the atmosphere changes: the rusted hull appears like a sleeping giant covered in coral, and the two torpedo holes —one on the deck, the other along the keel— stand as stark reminders of the wounds it could not overcome.

As I swam toward the engine room, mesmerized by the interplay of sunlight and steel, I was struck by the contrast: a space built for war now teeming with marine life. Angelfish, butterflyfish, and even the occasional barracuda weave through the rusted corridors. Outside, sea turtles rest on the hull, and manta rays glide above in a silent, graceful dance.

The wreck has become a vibrant artificial reef, a living symbol of the ocean’s power to transform destruction into life.

A Historic Dive on Your Blue Force Cruise

The British Loyalty is one of the highlights of Blue Force’s Southern Hemisphere Route, available every season from January to March. This unique itinerary combines the best of Addu Atoll: the shipwreck itself, the reefs of Hithadhoo, manta cleaning stations, and life-rich channels.

It’s the perfect dive for advanced recreational divers: accessible, with excellent visibility, and a rich backstory that turns every bubble into a journey through time. More than just a dive, it’s a voyage into the heart of the 20th century, where nature and history meet beneath the waves.

Eternal Loyalty… to the Ocean

As I surfaced from the dive, I looked back one last time at the shadowy outline below. Dark, powerful, serene. The British Loyalty had survived the chaos of war, only to end up where perhaps it always belonged: embraced by the sea.

Today, its name takes on new meaning. Loyal not to a nation, but to the ocean. To the divers. To the life that has chosen to be reborn within its rusted steel.

Do you want to discover the British Loyalty for yourself?

Don’t just imagine it — experience it.
Dive into its history, explore its coral-covered structure, and feel the thrill of discovering the largest wreck in the Maldives.

Book your place now on the Southern Hemisphere Route with Blue Force, available every year from January to March, and get ready for a one-of-a-kind dive adventure in Addu Atoll.

👉 Reserve your spot: https://www.blueforcefleet.com/maldives-diving/south-hemisphere/