PBY Catalina Seaplane (Wreck) - Iron Bottom Sound

Scotts Head Pinnacle offers a bit of everything for a relaxed dive. We usually start by dropping onto the sandy flats, keeping an eye out for Yellowhead Jawfish popping their heads from their burrows. The main attraction is the swim-through that carves into the volcanic rock, bringing you out onto a wall that doesn't drop too deep, maxing out at 21m. You’ll often spot schools of Creole wrasse here, and occasionally we’ve seen seahorses tucked away in the corals. It’s a good spot for divers who appreciate variety without needing extreme depths or challenging currents.

Location
Iron Bottom Sound, Solomon Islands, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
-9.113100, 160.164200
Type
pinnacle

Marine Protected Area: Tulagi Island

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 PBY Catalina Seaplane (Wreck)

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

Recommended Packing List for PBY Catalina Seaplane (Wreck)

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth of the PBY Catalina seaplane wreck dive site?
The PBY Catalina seaplane wreck is found lying upright on the side of the reef, with its cockpit at 26 meters and its tail at 33 meters. Divers can explore the wreck across this depth range at the PBY Catalina Seaplane (Wreck) site.
What can divers expect to see when exploring the PBY Catalina wreck, including its condition and any marine life?
Divers exploring the PBY Catalina wreck will find it largely intact, with munitions and machine guns still in place, though its engines have fallen off and rest nearby. The wreck is covered in soft corals and a few hard corals, providing a home for marine life such as lionfish, jacks, snapper, and trevally, with nudibranchs also present if you look closely. You can learn more about these species in our wildlife database.
How challenging is diving the PBY Catalina wreck, and is it suitable for recreational or technical divers?
Diving the PBY Catalina wreck is classified as intermediate difficulty. This makes it suitable for experienced recreational divers who are comfortable with depths reaching up to 33 meters.
What is the best time of year to dive the PBY Catalina wreck for optimal conditions?
The provided data does not specify the best time of year to dive the PBY Catalina wreck for optimal conditions. For general information on seasonal diving in the region, please refer to our When to Dive guide.
What scuba diving certifications are required to dive the PBY Catalina seaplane wreck?
The provided data does not specify the exact scuba diving certifications required to dive the PBY Catalina seaplane wreck. However, given its intermediate difficulty and depths reaching 33 meters, divers should ensure they possess the appropriate training and experience for such conditions.
What are the typical water conditions, such as currents and visibility, at the PBY Catalina wreck dive site?
Divers at the PBY Catalina wreck can expect an average visibility of 12 meters. The provided data does not specify typical current conditions at this dive site.