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CHIN LONG WEE

Chin Long Wee is a dive site we think about often when someone asks for a proper Coral Sea wreck. This isn't some pristine, intact vessel; she's been down since '76, courtesy of a cyclone, and the reef has absolutely swallowed her. You won't find much in the way of superstructure, more a scattering of ribs and plating, but that's precisely what makes her special. What's left of the old fishing vessel is now a foundation for some seriously impressive hard corals. Think massive plates and bommies, textured with brain corals and sea fans, all vying for space. We’ve drifted over the site and seen schools of fusiliers so thick they momentarily block the sun, only to part and reveal a resident grey reef shark cruising by. It’s a site that really shows the power of the ocean to reclaim, transforming tragedy into a vibrant, living reef. Visibility here is usually excellent, classic Coral Sea blues. It’s a shallower wreck, making it accessible for most, but the sheer volume of life makes it a standout. Keep an eye out for larger pelagics passing through – they often use these isolated structures as cleaning stations.