NEWBRIDGE

Best months: Jun–Oct

Protected Area

Mangrove

Why dive here

With 165+ marine species recorded in the area - including humpback whales, sea turtles, sperm whales and whale sharks - NEWBRIDGE offers some of Mafia Island's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 26-29°C, warmest February, March, April.

Best timeJun–Oct

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeHumpback Whales, Sea Turtles, Sperm Whales and Whale Sharks · 165+ species recorded

Water26-29°C · warmest February, March, April

CharacterWreck dive · max 2m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Newbridge, off Mafia Island, isn't your usual deep wreck. At a maximum depth of two metres, this scuttled steamship, sunk in 1914 to trap the German cruiser Königsberg, feels more like a history lesson brought to life than a dive. We love that it’s so shallow; it means you can spend ages exploring without watching your bottom time. You’ll find its massive boilers and twisted metal superstructure just breaking the surface at low tide, draped in green algae and barnacles. Swim around the bow, and you might see juvenile barracuda schooling in the dappled sunlight, or a curious octopus peeking from a crevice in the rusting hull. Our favourite part is navigating the interior corridors, now home to clouds of tiny glassfish. The feeling of swimming through a piece of WWI history, with the sound of the ocean lapping against the exposed ironwork, is surprisingly poignant. It's a great spot for snorkelers too, and for photographers looking for unique light and shadow play. We’d suggest going at high tide for the best visibility through the structure.