CASTAWAY - Kadavu & Great Astrolabe Reef

Castaway isn't your typical rust bucket. This 19.8-meter yacht went down in 1983, and it’s a surprisingly graceful wreck, sitting upright in the shallows. We love it because it’s so accessible, almost like a museum piece you can swim right up to. You’ll find the mast still largely intact, reaching towards the surface, and the entire hull is now a textured landscape of soft corals and sponges. It’s an ideal second dive, or even a snorkel if the conditions are right. We’ve spent whole afternoons just circling the deck, watching the resident schools of fusiliers dart in and out of the cabins, now thoroughly colonised by damselfish and tiny gobies. Keep an eye out for a grumpy stonefish or two camouflaged on the deck – they blend in perfectly. The stern offers some interesting swim-throughs into the former galley and sleeping quarters, but always check your buoyancy first. It’s a great site for photographers keen on natural light and vibrant colours without the pressure of deep currents.

Location

Kadavu & Great Astrolabe Reef, Fiji, Central & South Pacific

Coordinates

-18.439722, 178.135560

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

0m

Marine Protected Area: Vanua Sawau