Motorcycle that belonged to Grateful Dead lies 50 feet under water

There is a quiet reef off the shore of the little town of Akumal, Mexico. It has beautiful stretches of white sand, gorgeous coral structures and it is home to colorful fish and sea turtles. But there is one dive site there that has become famous for a very unique reason. It is also home to a motorcycle that was submerged in the 1980s with the intent of creating a picture for an album cover for the rock band, The Grateful Dead. Having belonged to the band itself, this bike was actually driven around mexico by band members prior to becoming and underwater attraction. Akumal is known for one of it's more lavish homes, Casa del Sol, on the edge of Yal-Ku Lagoon in Akumal, which was also owned by the Grateful Dead. Tourists from all over the world visit Akumal for its quaint atmosphere, authentic restaurants, spectacular diving and snorkeling. While they are there, it is very likely that they will also hear stories about the band and their attachment to Akumal.

One of the most well known stories is that of the submerged motorcycle that lies on the sand fifty feet down on "Motorcycle Reef". The motorcycle remains upright, (perhaps with a little help from divers and some coral props) despite the waves and the storms that have swept through in the thirty years since the motorcycle was sunk. Divers are eager to see the motorcycle and take a picture. Most have straddled the bike for a chance to "ride" the same motorcycle that was ridden around Mexico by the famous band in the 1980s. The motorcycle has deteriorated over the years and rust has taken its toll. The handlebars fell off around 2012 and have since washed away or become buried under the sand. But as the metal corrodes, the bike has actually become the structure that supports coral and barnacles. What might be regarded by some as litter on the ocean floor, is actually a habitat that has become the start of a new coral head. In years to come, the motorcycle will not be visible beneath the creatures that live on it. This motorcycle has been photographed by thousands of scuba divers who either seek it out intentionally or who just happen upon it.