ADHIGUNA MERANTI - Northeast Coast

We’ve always had a soft spot for the Adhiguna Meranti. It’s not a deep dive, only five metres at most, but what it lacks in depth it more than makes up for in character. This old carrier, built in ‘64 and sunk in ‘81 after running aground south of Keelung Island, now sits broken but proud. You can explore the bow and stern sections, which are largely intact and full of nooks and crannies. We particularly like the way the sunlight filters through the collapsed superstructure, illuminating schools of small baitfish that swirl around the metal. It’s an easy dive, perfect for photographers looking for interesting angles or newer divers getting their first taste of a wreck. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of nudibranchs clinging to the metal, and we’ve often seen lionfish lurking in the shadows. Our favourite time to visit is on a calm morning, just as the sun gets high enough to really penetrate the water. The visibility can be a bit variable, so pick your day carefully; after a few dry days is usually best. It’s a proper piece of history, now a vibrant artificial reef, and we think it’s a real standout on Taiwan's Northeast Coast.

Location
Northeast Coast, Taiwan, East Asia
Coordinates
25.190556, 121.772500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
5m

Wreck History - ADHIGUNA MERANTI

Year Sunk
1981
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding

The Adhiguna Meranti was a Japanese-built carrier vessel constructed in 1964 for the Indonesian shipping company P. T. Pelayaran Bahtera Adhiguna. For nearly two decades, she served her role in maritime commerce, transporting goods between ports across Asia.

Her final voyage came in November 1981. While on passage from Keelung, Taiwan, bound for Indonesia, the ship encountered severe difficulty. On November 15, she ran hard aground just south of the port of Chi-lung (Keelung) on Taiwan's rugged Northeast Coast. The vessel could not be saved and was declared a total loss, abandoned to the forces of the sea.

Today, the Adhiguna Meranti rests in an extremely shallow 5 meters of water, making it a fantastic and easy dive for all certification levels. Its accessibility also makes it a popular spot for snorkelers. The wreck is broken up, allowing divers to safely explore its sections, which are now completely encrusted with marine life. The abundant natural light creates a beautiful underwater scene, perfect for photographers looking to capture the interplay between a man-made structure and the vibrant marine ecosystem that has claimed it.

Marine Protected Area: 花瓶嶼野生動物重要棲息環境

Nearby Dive Sites in Northeast Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to ADHIGUNA MERANTI