wreck

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UNION STAR 17

The Union Star 17 is one of our favourites in the Perhentians, a proper wreck dive for those who enjoy a bit of history. She’s an old carrier, scuttled deliberately in 2000, and sits upright at a very comfortable 15 metres. We love that you can really take your time exploring her; the deck offers plenty of open space to cruise over, spotting the resident school of batfish that almost always hangs around the stern. Penetration isn't really an option here, this wreck is deemed dangerous, but there’s still plenty to see outside. Look out for the large groupers tucked into the shadowed recesses of the hold openings, and we’ve often seen big barracuda patrolling the mast. The coral growth isn't particularly dense, but colourful soft corals and sponges have started to bloom on the metal, adding texture to the rust. It’s an easy, relaxing dive, perfect for photographers wanting to capture the scale of the wreck against the bright Perhentian water. We'd suggest getting there early to avoid the crowds from the afternoon boats.