wreck

Log This Dive

Vought F4U Corsair (Wreck)

Of all the sites in Iron Bottom Sound, the Corsair is our sentimental favourite. We love that it’s right there, just a short boat ride from the dive shop, sitting in about 8m of water. It’s accessible, and if you hit it early, before the wind picks up, the visibility can be surprisingly good, sometimes over 20m. We’ve seen it clear enough to spot the distinctive gull wings from the surface. This isn't some broken-up debris field; it’s a fully intact Vought F4U Corsair, resting on its belly in the silt. You can easily make out the cockpit, the engine, and those iconic folded wings. It’s like a ghost from another time, just waiting for you to peek into its past. The plane itself is now a living reef. Look inside the cockpit for Jebb's Siphonfish and tiny Yellow-red Pygmygobies. We’ve spent hours just circling the propeller, spotting False Brown Morays peeking from crevices and the bright flash of Orange-lined Triggerfish darting around the fuselage. The schools of Blue and Gold Fusiliers here are sometimes so thick they obscure the light, and it’s always a treat to watch the Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish graze on the corals now growing on the wings. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who wants to spend time slowly appreciating a piece of history turned thriving ecosystem.