Eerie Submerged Structures That Will Give You The Chills

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Eerie Submerged Structures That Will Give You The Chills

By Monica Gray - May 27, 2023

What is it about the ocean that gives people the chills? Is it the fear of sharks and other dangerous predators? While that may contribute to the heebie-jeebies some people feel when they look at the ocean, many of us are wearier of the unknown. There’s no way to know what’s underneath those rolling waves, and even experienced divers constantly come across new, undiscovered structures submerged in the ocean’s depths. So much of our history has fallen victim to time and climate change and is now partially or fully sunk into the sea. Many ocean lovers will tell you there’s nothing to be afraid of when you look at the ocean, but this list might prove them wrong. Keep reading to learn about the eerie submerged structures sitting in the oceans all around the world!

Shi Cheng, China

Eerie Submerged Structures That Will Give You The Chills — Photo Credit: bbc.com

There’s an entire abandoned city underwater in the Zhejiang province in China. This city dates all the way back to the 2nd century and was built during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Shi Cheng remains an impressive example of the architecture and craftsmanship of that time. The buildings are full of remarkable detailing that’s remained intact despite its decades underwater. This was a fully functioning city up until 1959, when the Xin’an Dam flooded the city. Now, the structures under the water serve as a reminder that even the most beautiful and strongest cities can fall victim to natural disasters.

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Silver Islet, Canada

Welcome to Silver Islet! This structure in Ontario, Canada was one of the world’s richest silver mines before nature reclaimed it. Experts estimate that the Silver Islet Mining company made nearly $3.25 million until it was closed down in 1884. As was typical at that time, the miners hired for this job weren’t fully aware of the dangerous conditions involved in working in the mine. Miners were made to dive into the depths of the water-filled shafts, which came with a variety of risks. It’s now an abandoned underwater structure that anyone can kayak out to and check out. Seeing the dark depths of the unused shafts will give you the creeps!

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Yonaguni Monument, Japan

Discovered in 1987, the Yonaguni Monument in Japan has become a popular attraction for divers. This structure is comprised of mudstone and standstone, and it’s presence has sparked a lot of debate since its discovery. Experts can’t come to an agreement on whether this structure is man-made or natural, but the pillars and columns located on the monument seem to suggest that it was crafted by human hands. This is a popular tourist destination that you can check out for yourself the next time you’re swimming in the waters in Japan.

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Support– Grand Canal, China

This impressive and disturbing structure called simply, Support, is an art piece by Lorenzo Quinn located in the Grand Canal in China. The artist built this sculpture next to one of the buildings submerged in the Grand Canal and is designed to serve as a reminder to all who pass of the effects of global warming. Quinn wanted to make an impression on the public by showing how quickly the water levels of the Grand Canal have risen and how humans are powerless to stop the change. It’s a truly disturbing and mesmerizing piece of art that you need to see the next time you take a trip down the Grand Canal.

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Neptune Memorial Reef, Florida

Despite its appearance, the Neptune Memorial Reef isn’t a lost or abandoned underwater city. This area is located east of Key Biscayne in Miami, Florida. Neptune Memorial Reef was designed by artist Kim Brandell and opened to the public in 2007. The structures are located 40 meters underwater, and the area is considered to be the largest man-made reef in the world! There are dozens of interesting structures to take in and explore throughout the reef. It’s become a popular tourist destination and a thriving marine habitat.

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French Street, Texas

Hurricane Harvey devastated portions of Texas in 2017, and the resulting devastation was indescribable. Entire streets in Texas were completely underwater immediately following the hurricane, including French Street. It’s crazy to see the street sign completely submerged while seeing a photo of it looking dry as a Texas summer. This flooding was the result of nearly forty inches of rain cascading over the area and causing instant flooding. The affected areas took years to rebuild. This photo serves as a chilling reminder of the power of nature.

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The Lost City Of Thonis-Heracleion, Egypt

Divers discovered the lost city of Thonis-Heracleion in 2000 when exploring off the coast of Egypt. This lost city has statues of Gods, ruins, pottery, and everything else you’d expect to find in an ancient civilization site. This city was a remarkable historical find as experts determined it was one of the greatest port cities in the world and controlled the trade in Egypt during ancient times. It’s located in the present day Abu Qir bay, and is accessible by experienced divers.

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Abandoned Ship, Australia

A Captain’s worst fear is having to abandon their ship whilst it sinks into the depths of the sea. Unfortunately, boats sink all the time, but in rare instances, they can be reclaimed by nature. This half-sunken boat has been turned into an island over the years, but it isn’t entirely a natural occurrence. The ship in this photo was the HNLMS Abraham Chrijnssen. It was a dutch ship ordered to retreat to Australia, and the crew covered it in tropical foliage and managed to evade capture. It has since become overgrown and reclaimed by nature.

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Cleopatra’s Palace, Egypt

Another fascinating historical find off the coast of Egypt took place in 1998. A team of French archaeologists led by Frank Goddio discovered the lost site of Cleopatra’s Palace while exploring the sunken island of Antirhodos. This site was previously thought to be permanently lost to nature as a result of earthquakes and tidal waves. As of today, the site is open to the public. Divers can explore this hidden underwater world filled with statues, columns, platforms, and pavements that once made up the former palace.

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The Awakening, Maryland National Harbor

Maryland National Harbor is home to an impressive and frightening statue called The Awakening. This 72-foot statue was created by J. Seward Johnson Jr. and depicts a giant embedded in the sand who is struggling to free himself. Occasionally, when the harbor experiences high tides, the statue becomes almost entirely submerged. It’s a frightening perspective on how people feel when they’re awakened to their current reality, and the statue looks particularly disturbing when it’s partially submerged in the water.

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The Stonehenge, Lake Michigan

Everyone knows of the massive stone structure in England known as Stonehenge, but there’s another Stonehenge located under the mysterious waters of Lake Michigan. The Stonehenge in Lake Michigan was discovered in 2007 at a depth of 12 meters and is believed to be around 10,000 years old. This mysterious structure has bewildered experts since it was discovered. It’s believed to be man-made because all the rocks measure the same distance across and this wouldn’t happen if it were a natural occurrence. No one knows why this structure was created or what its purpose was.

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Subway Cars, The Atlantic Ocean

NYC is known for many things, but many people know this city for its impressive public transportation system. Subway cars are the main mode of transportation throughout the city, but these cars eventually get retired. In partnership with the government, The Metropolitan Transit Authority decided to repurpose these cars and sent about 2500 of them into the waters off the coast of New Jersey, South Carolina, Georgia, and other states. The cars were first decontaminated and striped of harmful materials to create a safe aquatic environment for marine life.

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Bohol’s Underwater Grotto, The Philippines

The Philippines is home to an impressive underwater grotto that was created in 2010 in the Danajon reef by the local government of Bien Unido. This site was created to be a place of meditation and worship for the public. There are statues of the Holy Child Jesus and Mary Mother sixty feet below sea level that experienced divers can visit at their leisure. This grotto also had a secondary purpose, which was to discourage illegal and damaging fishing practices in the area.

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Baltimore Harbor Tunnel, Maryland

The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel is a genius method of transportation that allows people to drive through the Patapsco River. This is a pair of two-lane tunnels located about 50-100 feet underground and caters to local and interstate traffic. On one morning, floodwater gushed into the tunnel, terrifying drivers and causing massive confusion. Some drivers attempted to continue driving despite the water, but thankfully, no one was injured. This flooding was the result of a construction test, and water pumps located in the tunnels quickly cleared things up and allowed traffic to progress smoothly again.

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The Titanic Wreck, Off The Newfoundland Coast

The devastating sinking of the Titanic in 1912 shook the world and continues to be referenced as one of the greatest tragedies of its time. This wreck is located about 12,500 feet below the surface and is roughly 350 nautical miles off the coast of Newfoundland. There was much debate about what to do with the wreck once it was discovered by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 1985. Some felt that it should be explored, while others believed it should be left alone entirely. Eventually, the site was granted protection under the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage.

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Sharp Prop, Switzerland

Thanks to horror movies like Jaws and the popular Shark Week hosted by Discovery Channel, many people are terrified of sharks. These animals have gotten a bad reputation, but when you come across an underwater statue as terrifying as this one, we can’t blame you for recoiling in horror. Don’t panic too badly, because the statue you’re seeing is actually a prop made for a 2007 movie called Choc au Lac. It was left at the bottom of Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland to mess with scuba divers and has been corroding in the water ever since.

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Atlit-Yam, Israel

Off the coast of Atlit, Israel sits an ancient village dating back 9,000. The ancient Neolithic village, named Atlit-Yam, spans across an impressive 40,000 meters and was first discovered in 1984 by marine archaeologist Ehud Galili. Excavations have revealed things of great historical importance, including human remains, a water well, and floral and faunal remains. Experts believe that the citizens of this village were forced to abandon it when a tsunami damaged the area.

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Fabbriche di Careggine, Italy

Lost cities are an amazing discovery when divers happen across them, but Fabbriche di Careggine has a different story to tell. This city, located in the Lucca province in Tuscany, was intentionally flooded in 1946 to build a hydroelectric dam and Lake Vagli. The city hadn’t been seen since the last time the damn was opened in 1994, until 2021 when the lake was emptied once again. Structures from the former city are still standing and impressively intact despite spending several decades underwater. The lake has been emptied to increase tourism in the area.

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Museo Subacuático De Arte, Mexico

The Museo Subacuático De Arte is an underwater museum located in México waters surrounding Cancun, Isla Mujeres, and Punta Nizuc was formed in 2009. This museum was launched by the Director of the National Marine Park and the former President of the Cancun Nautical Association to create a reef structure using art and environmental science that would be capable of promoting marine and coral life. There are now 500 permanent sculptures located in this museum. Visitors can explore the eerie underwater structures by snorkeling, diving, or taking a trip on boats with glass bottoms.

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Lockheed Martin L1011 Tristar Airplane, The Red Sea

Located in the Red Sea is an old Lockheed Martin L1011 Tristar airplane that sunk in 2019. This abandoned wreck has become an artificial reef and a world-class dive site that scuba divers from all over the world travel to the Red Sea to explore. The mostly intact wreck is completely accessible to divers, and provides an eerie experience as you swim through what was once a fully functional commercial airplane. Falling victim to a planecrash is something many of us fear and exploring the result of such an event is not for the faint of heart.

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The Amphitrite Statue, Grand Cayman

When we talk about structures submerged underwater, they usually fall into one of two categories. Either the structures were reclaimed by nature or placed there intentionally. The Amphitrite Statue found off the coast of Grand Cayman was created by Canadian sculptor Simon Morris. This 600-pound Mermaid statue is made entirely of bronze and was placed under the sea to represent the Queen of the Sea, Amphitrite, who was married to Poseidon. It’s a common dive site in the area. Be prepared to feel very small when you come into the presence of this statue!

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Serpent d’océan, West Coast Of France

The thought of hidden sea monsters and serpents moving through the water while your boat drifts by is one of the biggest maritime fears shared throughout the world. When you look at this skeleton, does it spark a primal fear deep within you? If it does, then contemporary French artist Huang Yong Ping will be thrilled! He created this sculpture, and it truly is remarkable! It’s installed in such a way that the art piece is completely covered during times of high tide and becomes visible as the tide recedes. This piece of art plays on our instinctual fear of the unknown as humans and is a marvel to witness!

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Holland Island, Maryland

Nature is a powerful force that no one man can fight, but that didn’t stop Stephen White from putting forth every effort to save his beloved city. Holland Island is a rapidly eroding island in the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Farmers and watermen inhabited the island in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Tidal changes and natural climate change eventually began to erode the island and forced the inhabitants to move. Stephen White tried to tend to the homes and preserve their integrity for many years, but his efforts were futile. The last remaining home on Holland Island, built in 1888, finally collapsed in October 2010.

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Shipwreck, Lake Superior

Some might say Lake Superior is cursed because of the number of shipwrecks there. The murky waters of Lake Superior are said to be home to over 350 shipwreck graves, most of which are still undiscovered. The more realistic reason so many shipwrecks occur here is that there are no slips to provide ships with a safe harbor during intense weather. Divers who explore Lake Superior often come across eerie shipwrecks with many things still intact. It’s like exploring a frozen moment in time, and it’s horrifying to think about how you’re exploring something that was the worst moment of someone’s life.

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Baiae, Gulf Of Puteoli

Baiae, located on the Gulf of Puteoli ten miles west of Naples, is an ancient Roman town filled with remnants from that time. This city was a popular resort for the rich and was home to many gorgeous villas, including those of Nero and Julius Ceaser. Due to volcanic activity, over half of this ancient city is now submerged underwater. The public is welcome to visit this site and it is one of the few underwater archeological parks in the world. Visitors report feeling awed by the ancient structures and overwhelmed by the thought that a natural occurrence, such as volcanic activity, could cause nearly any city to fall underwater at any time.

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Pavlopetri Peloponnese, Greece

The lost city Pavlopetri Peloponnese was first discovered in 1967 by Dr. Nicholas Flemming. The city was mapped the following year by a team from Cambridge, and they made a shocking discovery. This ancient city, filled with ruins and various structures, was dated back to the Mycenaean period, 1600 to 1100 BC. However, later studies suggest it could have been first inhabited in 2800 BC. This easily makes Pavlopetri Peloponnese one of the oldest cities ever discovered underwater, and it’s certainly one of the oldest cities on this list!

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Trainwrecks, New Jersey

The Garden State is known for many things. New Jersey is known for its great beaches and for bringing the Jersey Shore to television, but it’s not typically known for underwater train wrecks. However, in 1985, two rare trains from the 1850s were discovered 90 feet underwater in Long Branch. The eerie remains of these locomotives pose an interesting mystery. The trains were never reported missing, so people have speculated about what led to their demise since they were discovered. Most people agree the trains probably fell victim to a massive storm, but there’s no way to know for sure.

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Olous City, Crete

Off the shore of the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean lies an old, abandoned city. Olous City was a powerful city-state in its time with its own harbor and coinage. The sea swallowed this city due to an earthquake sometime in the 2nd century AD. Today, visitors can explore the ruins and partially collapsed structures that sit on the bottom of the ocean floor. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the past. This area should only be explored while snorkeling because you can’t see much from the surface of the water.

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Truk Lagoon, Caroline Islands

World War II caused a lot of losses and tragedies around the world. These military battleships resting at the bottom of the ocean off the coast of the Caroline Islands in the South Pacific are the result of Operation Hailstone. This operation was a surprise attack on the Japanese Imperial Fleet and caused hundreds of ships, aircraft, and submarines to sink. The remnants of these battleships weren’t discovered until the late 1960s and have since become a popular tourist attraction in the area.

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Apollo 11 Engines, Atlantic Ocean

The Apollo 11 mission was one of the most intense forays into space travel in human history. The engines fell into the ocean after liftoff and were sitting undiscovered for many years. Eventually, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos launched a mission to find the Apollo 11 engines. Bezos began his search in 2012 and found the engines the following year, 44 years after Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. After spending so many decades sitting on the ocean floor, the engines were heavily corroded. They looked eerily beautiful and almost peaceful upon discovery.

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UFO, Baltic Sea

UFOs are a controversial topic. Some people strongly believe in the existence of extraterrestrials and their presence on Earth, while others think the concept is crazy! Regardless of your belief, there was an interesting structure discovered in the Baltic Sea in 2014, and believers instantly classified it as a UFO. However, skeptics think there’s a more logical explanation for this strangely shaped object. Scientists believe the structure is simply an oddly shaped rock or a meteor. What do you think?

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Las Cruces De Malpique, La Palma Island

This dark, underwater site may look like a graveyard, but it’s actually more of a holy remembrance. These crosses, known as Las Cruces De Malpique, are located 20 meters below the surface on the south side of La Palma island. The structures exist in memory of men on the vessel Santiago, who are known as the Martyrs of Tazacorte. They were captured by pirates in 1570 and declared martyrs by Pope Benedict XIV. The crosses were erected in 1992 to honor the martyrs and have since become a very popular dive spot.

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The Antikythera Mechanism, National Archaeological Museum of Athens

The next item on this list no longer exists underwater, but it deserves an honorable mention because it was such a historic and amazing find! Back in 1902, a group of fishermen stumbled upon this strange structure off the coast of the Greek island Antikythera. After they reported their discovery, excavators went over the site and determined this structure is the oldest known computer in the world. It’s estimated to have been invented sometime 200 and 70 BC. Once they removed the Antikythera Mechanism, it was moved to the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.

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The Ancient City Of Dwarka, India

The Gulf of Kutch is home to an impressive site of ancient ruins, which archeologists have dubbed “The Ancient City of Dwarka.” According to Hindu faith, Lord Krishna founded the holy city of Dwarka, which is a sacred place of pilgrimage. The stone structures, anchors, and other discoveries in the Ancient City of Dwarka suggest that it was once a thriving port city that was eventually reclaimed by nature.

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Helike, Greece

Another fascinating site of ancient history called Helike can be found in Greece. This city was submerged after an earthquake caused a massive tsunami, but there was actually a debate between historians about whether this city even existed for quite a time. Eventually, the legend was proven to be true when researchers found artifacts and ruins in 2001. The site had been covered by an inland lagoon for ages before it finally revealed itself. Various dating techniques were used to determine this city went underwater in 373 BC.

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Statue Of Jesus, Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan holds a lot of eerie things. Sitting on the bottom of this lake is an 11-foot white marble cross with a life-sized statue of Jesus at the moment he was crucified. The story behind this statue’s creation is very sad. A family lost their 15-year-old son in very tragic circumstances and requested the statue be crafted by an Italian artist in 1956. Unfortunately, the statue was damaged on it’s way from Italy to the US, and the family who ordered it refused to accept it in its condition. The statue was then sold to a diving team, who placed it in the lake as a memorial to lost divers.

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Vintage Cars, Foss Lake

We’ve seen a lot of creepy structures on this list. Ancient civilizations have been discovered, the world’s oldest computer, trainwrecks, and even subway cars! But there was also a discovery two rusted vintage cars sitting at the bottom of Foss Lake in Oklahoma in 2013. Unfortunately, this wasn’t an art piece placed intentionally. The bodies of teenagers were found in these cars, indicating a terrible accident had occurred. The bodies were traced back to people who had gone missing in 1970, and the deaths were ruled as accidental.

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Submerged Plane, Lake Norman

Back in 2013, sonar equipment detected a submerged plane sitting at the bottom of Lake Norman in North Carolina. The situation raised some red flags as there was no report of a crash in that area and, once divers went to check out the wreck, no bodies were discovered. It was later determined that a woman by the name of Barbara Anderson owned the plane. She claimed flight instructors forgot to put up the landing gear on the plane, causing it to sink. The woman had apparently been looking for the plane for quite a while and was unable to locate it.

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Cone-Shaped Structure, Sea Of Galilee

A mysterious and massive cone-shaped structure was discovered sitting under the waters of the Sea of Galilee in 2013. A geological survey of the area discovered this monument, and it has baffled experts ever since. It weighs about 60,000 tons and is believed to have been built on dry land roughly 6,000 years ago during the Bronze Age. Experts have been unable to determine the structure’s original purpose, but researchers have said that it resembles early burial sites in Europe.

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The Grenada Underwater Sculpture Park, Grenada

We’re presenting you with yet another series of underwater sculptures to end this list. The Grenada underwater sculpture park is filled with various statues that give off an eerie feel despite having been purposefully placed there. There’s something about seeing statues of a man sitting at a table deep underwater and covered in barnacles that strikes fear into the heart of people. What if that were a mummified person sitting there? But it’s not! Instead, it’s an impressive work of art that experienced divers can visit and swim through. Which one of these eerie sites are you going to visit?

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