pinnacle

Log This Dive

PBY Catalina Seaplane (Wreck)

The Catalina is a stunner, no question. We love how she’s settled upright, almost gracefully, on the reef’s edge, a ghost of her former self. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer scale – her wingspan is impressive, even without the engines which now rest separately on the sand. Inside the cockpit, we’ve found old munition belts and machine guns, details that really bring home the history. Visibility here averages around 12m, sometimes less, but it adds to the atmosphere, a slightly muted blue that feels just right for a war grave. Our favourite moments are usually spent checking out the fusiliers, which often school so tightly around the wings they almost obscure them, and the resident banded maori wrasse that seems to guard the tail section. It’s an easy dive, down to about 22m, suitable for anyone comfortable with slightly reduced visibility. Just keep an eye out for the lionfish – they’re always lurking.