TRANS SAPHIRE - Northeast Coast

The Trans Saphire isn’t about big pelagics or colourful reefs; it’s a proper piece of history, just sitting there in the shallows off Taiwan’s Northeast Coast. This old bulk carrier, sunk way back in ‘78, is surprisingly intact for such a shallow wreck. We love how the sheer size of it dominates the underwater landscape, even at a maximum depth of just 8 metres. You’re swimming over massive steel plates, some peeling back like forgotten pages, and through cavernous cargo holds now serving as apartment blocks for schools of snapper. The best time to dive it is definitely on a calm day, when the sun can really penetrate, lighting up the nooks and crannies where groupers lurk. Look closely, and you’ll spot nudibranchs crawling along the corroded metal, and we’ve seen some decent-sized lionfish too. Our favourite part has to be tracing the outline of the stern, imagining the ship’s final moments. It’s a gentle dive, perfect for photographers wanting to capture dramatic wreck silhouettes, or anyone who enjoys a bit of maritime archaeology without the need for deep technical skills. Just keep an eye on the currents; they can pick up sometimes, making it a bit of a workout.

Location

Northeast Coast, Taiwan, East Asia

Coordinates

25.186111, 121.686110

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

8m

Marine Protected Area: 淡水河紅樹林自然保留區