CAHAYA MACCOLILOLOS
Why dive here
With 119+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue-spotted stingrays, giant moray eels, grey reef sharks, pygmy seahorses and sea turtles - CAHAYA MACCOLILOLOS offers some of Mabul & Kapalai's richest wreck diving.
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.
Typical CAHAYA MACCOLILOLOS Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
CAHAYA MACCOLILOLOS Wreck History
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.
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