Aichi D3A ’Val’ (Wreck) - Gizo & Western Province

Dropping down to the Aichi D3A 'Val' dive bomber, it’s not hard to picture it in its heyday, before it came to rest upright on the seabed at 26 metres. This is one of our favourite wreck dives for its sheer intactness and the sense of history that just hangs in the water around it. You can clearly make out the cockpit, the engine cowl, and the wings, which are still mostly attached. We particularly love poking around the tail section, often finding schools of small glassfish shimmering inside the fuselage. This site is a fantastic introduction to wreck diving. The depth is manageable, there’s usually no current, and the visibility tends to be excellent, making it incredibly easy to navigate. Look closely, and you'll spot resident lionfish tucked into crevices and anemonefish darting amongst the soft corals that have started to bloom on the metal. It’s a genuinely evocative dive, perfect for photographers and anyone keen to touch a tangible piece of wartime history.

Location
Gizo & Western Province, Solomon Islands, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
-8.340100, 157.276700
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
26m
Difficulty
Beginner

Wreck History - Aichi D3A ’Val’ (Wreck)

Vessel Type
aircraft
Cause
combat

The Aichi D3A, known to the Allies as the 'Val', was the primary carrier-borne dive bomber of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. A fearsome and effective weapon, the Val was the first Japanese aircraft to bomb American targets, playing a key role in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Throughout the war, this aircraft type was credited with sinking more Allied warships than any other Axis aircraft, cementing its place in military history.

This particular Val wreck rests at 26 meters in the waters off Gizo, a key battleground in the Solomon Islands campaign. For divers, it's a direct link to the intense aerial combat that defined the Pacific Theatre. Exploring the remnants of this legendary dive bomber, now colonized by coral and home to reef fish, offers a poignant and fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in world history.

Marine Protected Area: Nusa Roviana

Nearby Dive Sites in Gizo & Western Province

Nearest Dive Centres to Aichi D3A ’Val’ (Wreck)

Marine Life in Gizo & Western Province

Home to 304 recorded species including 261 reef fish, 13 hard corals, 11 sea cucumbers, 6 sea snails & nudibranchs, 4 clams & mussels, 3 sharks & rays.

Notable Species