USS Philadelphia - North Carolina

The RMS Empress of Asia is our pick for a unique wreck dive in Singapore, offering a slice of history beneath the waves. She was a grand ocean liner, pressed into service as an armed merchant cruiser during WWII, and now she rests in the Southern Islands. We often find ourselves drifting over her scattered remains, picturing her former glory. The wreck itself is well-broken, but you can still make out the sheer scale of the ship. We love poking around the larger hull sections, imagining the life she once held. Look closely, and you’ll spot a surprising amount of soft coral growth, especially the delicate starry cup corals clinging to the metal. We’ve seen longtail garfish darting through the clearer patches and plenty of red-striped cardinalfish schooling inside what’s left of her structure. It’s a site that really comes alive with a good torch, revealing the tucked-away Grammistes blennies and the shy Pacific blue swimming crabs. It's a dive that rewards slow exploration and a keen eye, perfect for those who appreciate both history and the quiet colonisation of the sea.

Location

North Carolina, United States, North America

Coordinates

38.891200, -77.029500

Type

wreck

Marine Protected Area: Merkle