KYUSU MARU (POSSIBLY) - Iron Bottom Sound

Dropping onto the Kyusu Maru feels like stepping back in time, or maybe more accurately, falling into a sepia-toned photograph. At 60 metres, this is definitely one for the experienced tech divers, and it’s a dive we'll always recommend if you’ve got the training. The sheer size of this 142-metre transport ship, bombed in 1942, is humbling. We love the way the light filters down, creating long shadows across the deck, illuminating the occasional plate or bottle. What we really appreciate here isn't just the history, but the way the ocean has completely reclaimed it. The bow section, in particular, is an incredible tangle of soft corals, and we’ve spotted massive schools of batfish circling the masts. The stern is more broken, but the cargo holds offer some fantastic swim-throughs, if you're comfortable with overhead environments and proper gas planning. Our favourite part has to be the bridge area; it’s collapsed but still recognisable, and often home to some impressively large groupers. It’s a deep, dark dive, so good lights are essential to properly appreciate the scale and the life.

Location: Iron Bottom Sound, Solomon Islands, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates: -9.352555, 159.844160
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 60m

Marine Protected Area: Komarindi

Best Time to Dive in Iron Bottom Sound

The warmest water temperatures in Iron Bottom Sound occur in January, averaging 30.5°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 30.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 30.5°C (air: 26.9°C)
February: 30.5°C (air: 26.7°C)
March: 30.5°C (air: 26.7°C)
April: 30.5°C (air: 26.8°C)
May: 30.5°C (air: 26.9°C)
June: 30.5°C (air: 26.5°C)
July: 30.5°C (air: 26.5°C)
August: 30.5°C (air: 26.3°C)
September: 30.5°C (air: 26.5°C)
October: 30.5°C (air: 26.7°C)
November: 30.5°C (air: 26.7°C)
December: 30.5°C (air: 26.9°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Iron Bottom Sound

Nearest Dive Centres to KYUSU MARU (POSSIBLY)

Marine Life in Iron Bottom Sound

Home to 415 recorded species including 320 reef fish, 29 hard corals, 18 sea snails & nudibranchs, 16 sea cucumbers, 7 seagrass & algae, 5 clams & mussels.

Notable Species

Blue-lined Surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus) - Reef Fish
Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
Blue and Gold Fusilier (Caesio caerulaurea) - Reef Fish
Boring Clam (Tridacna crocea) - Clams & Mussels
Orange-lined Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) - Reef Fish
Dusky Parrotfish (Scarus niger) - Reef Fish
beautiful fusilier (Caesio teres) - Reef Fish
Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
Rainbowfish (Halichoeres hortulanus) - Reef Fish
Redfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus) - Reef Fish
Burrowing urchin (Echinometra mathaei) - Sea Urchins
Small giant clam (Tridacna maxima) - Clams & Mussels
Kihikihi (Zanclus cornutus) - Reef Fish
Latticed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon rafflesii) - Reef Fish
Bleeker's Parrotfish (Chlorurus bleekeri) - Reef Fish
Butterfly fish (Chaetodon vagabundus) - Reef Fish
Black-barred Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigricauda) - Reef Fish
Mimic Surgeonfish (Acanthurus pyroferus) - Reef Fish
Triangular Butterflyfish (Chaetodon baronessa) - Reef Fish
Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for KYUSU MARU (POSSIBLY)

Based on average water temperature of 30.5°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories