Cessna Wreck (Jaws IV)

The wreck and its story

The Cessna 310 was deliberately flown into the water by a skilled stunt pilot, creating the crash footage needed for the film's climax. The controlled impact crumpled the nose and bent the wings, leaving the recognisable silhouette of a small aircraft lying on its side on the sandy bottom. Decades underwater have softened the wreck's edges with algae and encrusting growth.

While not large, the Cessna provides an unusual photographic subject. The cockpit area remains identifiable, and both propellers can be found amid the debris field. Divers accustomed to ship wrecks find the aircraft's compact form offers a different kind of exploration.

Wall diving nearby

The Cessna's position near Clifton Wall adds significant value to dives here. After exploring the wreck, divers can fin to the wall's edge where the Great Bahama Bank drops away into deep blue water. The wall face is covered in sea fans, sponges, and hard corals, while grey reef sharks and occasional eagle rays cruise past.

Currents along the wall can be variable, so dive planning should account for conditions. Most operators drift along the wall after visiting the wreck, ending with a safety stop over the shallower reef sections.

Marine life encounters

Caribbean reef sharks are commonly seen at this site, attracted by the structure and the nearby wall's hunting opportunities. Barracuda hang motionless in mid-water, and schools of horse-eye jacks and yellowtail snapper add movement and silver flashes to the scene. Nurse sharks often rest on the sandy bottom near the wreck.

The irony of encountering real sharks at a Jaws filming location is not lost on visiting divers. These encounters are generally relaxed, with sharks exhibiting natural curiosity rather than any aggression.

The Stunt That Became a Dive Site

In 1987, a skilled stunt pilot deliberately crash-landed a Cessna 310 twin-engine aircraft into the waters off southwestern New Providence, creating the dramatic footage needed for Jaws: The Revenge. The controlled impact crumpled the nose cone and bent both wings backward, exactly the kind of wreckage that makes a shark attack scene believable. Unlike most purpose-sunk dive attractions that are carefully prepared and gently lowered to the seabed, this aircraft hit the water at speed and now lies exactly as it settled after that violent plunge.

The production crew chose this location near Clifton Wall for its combination of accessible depth and dramatic underwater topography. Thirty-seven years underwater have softened the aluminum fuselage with algae and encrusting growth, transforming what was once a Hollywood prop into a functioning artificial reef. The irony of real sharks now patrolling the site where a fictional killer shark scene was filmed is not lost on divers who visit hoping to encounter the genuine article.

Reading the Wreck

The Cessna 310 rests at approximately 60 feet on a sandy bottom, though some depth gauges register closer to 50 feet depending on tidal conditions. Both propellers remain attached and make excellent focal points for wide-angle photography, their twisted blades frozen in the moment of impact. The cockpit section, though heavily corroded, still contains recognizable instrument panel remnants that transport divers back to that filming day nearly four decades ago.

The aircraft's compact size means exploration takes only minutes at a leisurely pace, leaving ample bottom time for the adjacent wall diving that many consider the site's true attraction. Divers typically begin at the surface buoy, descend directly to the Cessna for photographs and examination, then fin approximately 30 meters to the wall's edge where the topography transforms dramatically. The wreck functions as both destination and waypoint in a dive plan that encompasses multiple environments.

Wall Diving at Clifton

Clifton Wall drops from approximately 60 feet to well beyond recreational limits, eventually reaching the abyssal depths of the Tongue of the Ocean. The wall face is decorated with barrel sponges the size of bathtubs, sea fans that wave in the current like purple flags, and hard coral formations that have taken centuries to develop. The contrast between the man-made aircraft wreck and this natural vertical garden creates a dive experience that satisfies both wreck enthusiasts and reef aficionados.

Currents along the wall vary significantly with tidal conditions, and operators report occasional downward currents that demand attention. Dive briefings address current management, emphasizing the importance of staying neutral or slightly above the wall face rather than allowing the current to push divers deeper than planned. Most operations structure the dive as a drift along the wall, with the boat following surface marker buoys as divers travel south along the face.

Shark Encounters in Context

Caribbean reef sharks appear regularly at this site, drawn by the structure the wreck provides and the hunting opportunities along the wall. Encounters are generally calm and predictable, with sharks maintaining comfortable distances while going about their business of patrolling their territory. Nurse sharks often rest on the sandy bottom near the Cessna, barely acknowledging passing divers unless approached too closely.

The presence of real sharks at a site famous for filming Jaws footage creates obvious photographic opportunities. Wide-angle shots capturing both shark and aircraft require patience and positioning, as the sharks rarely cooperate with compositional preferences. Divers who remain still and allow sharks to approach on their own terms are rewarded with more natural behavior than those who chase or crowd the animals.

Barracuda frequently hang motionless above the wreck, their silvery bodies catching light like polished chrome. Schools of horse-eye jacks and yellowtail snapper swirl through the area, creating movement and life around the static aircraft remains. This combination of large predators and schooling fish creates the kind of dynamic underwater scene that underwater videographers prize.

Getting there

The Cessna Wreck lies off the southwestern coast of New Providence near Clifton Wall, accessible by dive boat from Nassau operators in under 30 minutes. Stuart Cove's and other operators include this site on regular reef and wall diving excursions. A surface buoy typically marks the wreck location. The site is often combined with wall diving or other nearby wrecks for a two-tank morning trip.

Frequently asked questions

How intact is the Jaws IV Cessna wreck?

The aircraft's fuselage, wings, and propellers remain identifiable, though the nose section is crumpled from the controlled crash landing. Decades of marine growth have softened the structure, but the distinctive silhouette of a small airplane is clearly visible.

Will I see sharks at the Cessna wreck?

Caribbean reef sharks frequently patrol this area due to its position near Clifton Wall. Shark sightings are common but not guaranteed. Nurse sharks also rest on the sandy bottom near the wreck.

What certification is needed to dive the Cessna wreck?

Open Water certification is sufficient for the wreck itself at 60 feet. Advanced certification is recommended if you plan to explore deeper sections of the nearby wall.

Was the Cessna actually used in the finished Jaws: The Revenge film?

Yes, footage of this specific Cessna 310 crashing into the water appears in the film's climactic sequence. The stunt pilot executed a controlled crash landing that provided the realistic impact footage the production required. While the movie received poor critical reception, the aircraft wreck has proven far more enduring as a diving attraction than the film was as entertainment.

Why is the site sometimes called Nari-Nari?

Local dive operators use the name Nari-Nari for this site, though the origin of the name is unclear. The site is also referred to as Cessna Wall, emphasizing the adjacent wall diving that many consider the primary attraction. All three names, Cessna Wreck, Cessna Wall, and Nari-Nari, refer to the same location near Clifton Point.

What certification level is needed for this dive?

Open Water certification is sufficient for exploring the aircraft wreck itself at 60 feet. However, Advanced Open Water or equivalent is recommended for divers who wish to descend along Clifton Wall to greater depths. The wall continues well beyond recreational limits, and divers without advanced training should remain in the shallower zones near the wreck.