The small island of Bonaire is a Caribbean diving destination that boasts a unique collection of shipwrecks transformed into makeshift coral reefs. These artificial habitats provide a haven for marine life in a constantly changing ecosystem.

The waters near the Florida Keys are home to as many as 1,000 shipwrecks.

Cinematic shipwrecks of the Bahamas.

The number of shipwrecks off the coast of Roatan suggest that these waters pose a threat to passing vessels - but the fact is most of these ships were deliberately sunk. The purpose? To create artificial reefs that attract a dazzling array of marine plants and creatures, in a bid to form a sustainable ecosystem.

Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula houses ships converted to artificial reefs.