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Mawali Wreck

The Mawali Wreck isn't just a sunken ship; it’s a living museum, a time capsule resting on the seabed off Sulawesi. We love a good wreck, and this Japanese patrol boat, scuttled during WWII, has aged gracefully, now completely encrusted. We’re talking serious coral growth here, especially those colossal gorgonian fans that look like purple dinner plates. Dropping down, the bow is a fantastic place to start, often swarming with schools of fusiliers and yellowback snappers that shimmer in the ambient light. Penetration is possible for experienced divers, but it’s tight in places. We’d suggest a good torch even during the day; it really brings out the colours of the sponges and nudibranchs clinging to the bulkheads. Look for frogfish camouflaged on the deck plates – they’re masters of disguise, but their huge mouths give them away. The stern, at around 25 metres, feels particularly moody, often patrolled by reef sharks. It’s a site for divers who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of current to explore a well-preserved piece of the past, now totally reclaimed by the ocean.