Diver drops to one knee 100 feet underwater in breathtaking Fiji shipwreck proposal

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Ascuba dive in Fijiushered in an unforgettable proposal well below the ocean’s surface.

Kim Paterson, 32, was stunned when her boyfriend, William Paterson, 37, asked her to marry him during a dive near the Salamanda shipwreck, news agency SWNS reported.

The couple, both avid divers from Auckland, New Zealand, wereexploring the underwater siteApril 10, 2023, at about 100 feet underwater when the plan was set in motion.

Before entering the water, William Paterson quietly told the dive team what he intended to do and asked for their help in choosing the location.

He told his girlfriend they would take a photo together in front ofthe shipwreck,something she found unusual.

Scuba diver kneeling underwater appearing to propose to another diver during an ocean dive.

William Paterson, right, proposed to his girlfriend, Kim Paterson, during a scuba dive some 100 feet underwater near Fiji’s Salamanda shipwreck.(SWNS)

“Good practice in diving is to not touch the substrate, which, as experienced divers, we both know,” she told SWNS.

“So, I was confused and a little frustrated when he insisted we stand next to each other.”

brought out a ring,” Kim Paterson said.“I looked at him and back at the ring a few times to try and process what was happening.”

Scuba diving couple kissing underwater after romantic ocean proposal.

The couple kisses right after Paterson had pulled out a ring underwater and dropped to one knee.(SWNS)

She said he smiled at her and gave a small nod to reassure her the proposal was genuine.

Paterson had mounteda GoProand handed it to a fellow diver to capture the moment, SWNS reported.

with the excitement, and I barely remember the shipwreck, so we will probably have to revisit it one day,” she said.

Panoramic view of tropical coastline in Fiji with turquoise ocean, lush greenery and anchored boats.

The proposal took place well below the surface off the coast of Fiji near the Salamanda shipwreck.(iStock)

After they resurfaced, the dive crew and fellow diverscelebrated with the couple.

The pair later returnedto their resortfor champagne.

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The Patersons first met in 2021 andtied the knotin December 2024.

The couple continues to scuba dive regularly, including during their honeymoon in the Maldives, where they encountered whale sharks and manta rays.

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For anyone interested in Fiji scuba diving, the MV Salamanda is “a standout site,” according to a blog about it.

“One of the most remarkable features of the wreck is that she rests perfectly upright on the seabed — a rare and striking sight underwater,” according tofijidiving.com.

“Sitting on a sandy bottom … the wreck gives the impression of a ship paused mid-journey, creating a dramatic and immersive dive experience.”