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Kawanashi “Mavis“ Seaplane # 1 (Wreck)

Dropping onto the Mavis is like falling into a time capsule. You can almost feel the history clinging to the fuselage. This isn't just a wreck; it's an entire Japanese seaplane, mostly upright, propellers still in place, sitting on a silty bed at 29 metres. The starboard wing is gone, but the rest of the plane is eerily complete. We love the way the light filters through the typically 10-meter visibility, giving the whole scene a ghostly glow. Inside the cockpit, we often find schools of banded blue sprats darting around, while outside, longnose trevally cruise the perimeter. Keep an eye out for the common seahorse nestled among the delicate thin birdsnest corals that have started to colonise the airframe. The silty bottom means careful finning is key, but the reward is a truly immersive dive into a piece of wartime history, best suited for those who appreciate wrecks with a story to tell.