Bimoli wreck - Sulawesi

The Bimoli wreck, sitting upright on the seabed in Sulawesi, is one of those wrecks we just keep coming back to. We love how the light plays through the upper decks, especially on a sunny morning, creating these shifting patterns on the corridors below. It's a proper exploration dive, with plenty of swim-throughs to navigate if you're comfortable with overhead environments. Our favourite part has to be the engine room, which is surprisingly intact, full of old machinery encrusted with sponges and whip corals. You’ll spot schools of yellow-stripe scad darting in and out of the holds, and often a grumpy stonefish or two camouflaged on the hull. We'd suggest arriving early, before the crowds, to really soak in the atmosphere. It's a deep wreck, so definitely one for experienced divers comfortable with their buoyancy.

Location
Sulawesi, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
1.435950, 125.177500
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Bimoli wreck

Year Sunk
1944
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

Lying in the depths of Manado Bay, the "Bimoli" wreck is a haunting relic of World War II that has blossomed into a spectacular artificial reef. This Japanese cargo ship, likely the Bimoli Maru, was a casualty of the Pacific conflict, sunk by Allied bombers during a raid in 1944. Its final mission was cut short, sending the vessel to the seabed where it has remained for decades, a silent monument to a turbulent past. Today, it stands as one of North Sulawesi's most iconic wreck dives.

Descending onto the Bimoli is like traveling back in time. The ship rests upright and is largely intact, allowing divers to explore its decks, cargo holds, and superstructure. Over the years, nature has claimed the vessel, covering its steel frame in a vibrant carpet of corals and sponges. The wreck acts as a magnet for marine life, attracting large schools of fusiliers, batfish, and jacks. Exploring its coral-encrusted corridors offers a unique combination of historical discovery and breathtaking marine biodiversity, making it an unforgettable dive for experienced wreck divers.

Marine Protected Area: KK Kota Bitung

Best Time to Dive in Sulawesi

The warmest water temperatures in Sulawesi occur in November, averaging 30.4°C. The coolest conditions are in September at 28.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 29.5°C
  • February: 29.4°C
  • March: 29.8°C
  • April: 30.3°C
  • May: 30.3°C
  • June: 29.7°C
  • July: 29.1°C
  • August: 28.8°C
  • September: 28.7°C
  • October: 29.5°C
  • November: 30.4°C
  • December: 30.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Sulawesi

Nearest Dive Centres to Bimoli wreck

Marine Life in Sulawesi

Home to 252 recorded species including 162 reef fish, 53 hard corals, 9 seagrass & algae, 9 sea snails & nudibranchs, 6 clams & mussels, 4 sea cucumbers.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Bimoli wreck

Based on average water temperature of 29.7°C, currents 4 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories