It appears as a mysterious shadow looming in the distance. As you get closer, ghostly details emerge – a railing, a tail fin or a porthole. As your imagination puts the pieces together, the story of a sunken vessel takes shape. As you draw closer, you see the broken vessel has taken on a new life. The paint has been replaced by a coating of colorful anemones or coral. An eel makes its home in the remains of an engine, while a spotted drum fish hides out under the bow.

Wrecks have long been an irresistible attraction for divers, and there's a lot to love about them. In addition to making a great fish habitat, wrecks are fun to explore and offer great photo opportunities. A wreck dive is also a unique way to learn about local history or, at the very least, hear a good tall tale from your divemaster.

Whether you dive on the Wreck of the '64 Impala or in the Graveyard of the Atlantic, a PADI Wreck Diver certification gives you the knowledge and skills to explore around your favorite wreck with safety and ease. The four-dive and two-day course covers the planning, procedures, techniques and hazards of wreck diving. Not only will you practice using lights, penetration lines, reels and other special equipment, you'll also learn what to do in limited visibility or in an emergency situation. A Wreck Diver Specialty certification also counts toward one of the five specialty certifications required for the Master Scuba Diver rating.

Enroll in a PADI Wreck Diver Specialty course this August and PADI will send you a Flexfit-style wreck diver ball cap – FREE. For complete details, including a redemption form, visit the Specialty of the Month page on padi.com (www.padi.com/specialtyofthemonth).