DivePlnr
    Aichi D3A ’Val’ (Wreck) dive site
    wreck
    10-25m
    Iron Bottom Sound, Solomon Islands
    Nusa Roviana

    Aichi D3A ’Val’ (Wreck)

    Best months: Jan–Dec

    Protected Area

    Nusa Roviana

    Why dive here

    With 391+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Aichi D3A ’Val’ (Wreck) offers some of Iron Bottom Sound's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 30°C.

    Marine lifeBarracuda, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, Humpback Whales and Orcas · 391+ species recorded
    Water30°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterWreck dive · max 10-25m
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    The Catuan wreck is a solid choice when you’re diving out of Bayahibe. We love a tugboat wreck, they just have a certain character, and this 33-meter vessel, sunk intentionally in 2006, is no exception. It sits upright and relatively intact at a max depth of 20 meters, making it a comfortable dive for anyone from newly certified open water divers to those with hundreds of logged dives. What really makes the Catuan shine is how quickly marine life has adopted it. Swim through the wheelhouse and engine room - the penetrations are easy and well-lit - and you'll often find yourself surrounded by big schools of French grunts and sergeant majors. We’ve seen hawksbill turtles grazing on the hull, and it’s not uncommon to spot nurse sharks napping under ledges or barracudas hanging off the bow. The visibility averages around 16 meters, which is usually plenty to take in the wreck’s full outline as you approach. Our favourite time to dive it is mid-morning, just as the sun gets high enough to really illuminate the interior spaces.

    Typical Aichi D3A ’Val’ (Wreck) Dive Profile

    5m10mSafety Stop0m10m max~60 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Safety Notes

    Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

    Today05:3817:3111h 53m daylightGolden hour 17:03

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Aichi D3A ’Val’ (Wreck)

    Aichi D3A ’Val’ (Wreck) Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Aichi D3A ’Val’ (Wreck), sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (-9.31, 159.8) (0km away)

    August Averages

    Sea Temperature

    30.47°C

    87°F

    Air Temperature

    26.3°C

    79°F

    Wind Speed

    4.57 m/s

    8.9 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1011.3 hPa

    Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC

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