wreck

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Phelong Pass Inside

Phelong Pass Inside isn’t your typical Micronesian drift dive. We’re here for the wreck, a Japanese Zero fighter, lost during WWII. It’s not a huge structure, more a collection of recognisable parts scattered across the sandy bottom at about 18 metres. You’ll make out the engine block, twisted propeller blades, and sections of the fuselage. We love the way the coral has started to claim it, soft corals in particular, painting the metal in purples and oranges. The real beauty here is how the reef has adopted it. Schools of juvenile snapper often shelter around the engine, and we've spotted white-tip reef sharks cruising past in the distance. Look closely, and you’ll find nudibranchs clinging to the softer corals. It's a surprisingly peaceful dive, often with very little current, making it great for photographers who want time to compose shots. Our tip: go early in the morning. The light filters through the pass beautifully, illuminating the wreck and bringing out the colours of the corals. It’s a quiet, reflective experience, a poignant piece of history slowly being reclaimed by the ocean.