CAHAYA MACCOLILOLOS - Mabul & Kapalai

Cahaya Maccolilolos offers a sobering dive, but a fascinating one, sitting upright at just nine metres. This isn't a colourful reef dive; it’s a sombre exploration of a sunken ferry, lost in bad weather in 1990 with tragic loss of life. We find it a surprisingly atmospheric site. The shallow depth means plenty of light filters through, illuminating the skeletal structure, which is now home to a surprising array of creatures. You'll spend your time here exploring the bow and stern, peeking into cargo holds now open to the sea. Look for crocodile fish camouflaged on the deck plates and ornate ghost pipefish tucked into crevices. Large schools of yellowtail barracuda often circle the wreck, their silvery bodies flashing as they move. It’s a great spot for macro photography too, with nudibranchs and flatworms making their homes on the encrusted metal. This site really suits divers who appreciate historical wrecks and the unique ecosystems they foster.

Location
Mabul & Kapalai, Malaysia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
3.853783, 117.915750
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
9m

Wreck History - CAHAYA MACCOLILOLOS

Year Sunk
1990
Vessel Type
ferry
Cause
storm

The Cahaya Maccolilolos rests in the shallow, clear waters near Mabul, but its story is one of profound tragedy. On May 20, 1990, the ferry was on a passage from Nunukan to Tarakan when it encountered severe weather. Overloaded with passengers and cargo, the vessel began taking on water in the high seas and quickly capsized. The sinking resulted in the loss of 106 lives, a disaster that is still remembered in the local community.

Today, the wreck lies at just 9 meters, making it an accessible and poignant dive site. Its shallow depth allows for long, relaxed bottom times and excellent light penetration, illuminating the ferry's structure which has become a thriving artificial reef. Divers can explore the decks and superstructure, now draped in soft corals and home to schools of fusiliers, damselfish, and lionfish. While beautiful, the site serves as a somber memorial, and divers are reminded to explore with respect for the history and the lives lost.

Nearby Dive Sites in Mabul & Kapalai

Nearest Dive Centres to CAHAYA MACCOLILOLOS

Marine Life in Mabul & Kapalai

Home to 127 recorded species including 77 reef fish, 28 hard corals, 8 seagrass & algae, 3 sharks & rays, 3 clams & mussels, 2 other.

Notable Species