HATSUTAKA (POSSIBLY) - Redang Island

Diving the Hatsutaka in Redang isn’t about ticking off a species list. It’s about history, cold steel, and the sheer scale of the thing. We love a good wreck, and this Japanese minelayer, sunk by a US submarine, delivers on the drama. You drop onto the deck at around 27 meters, and the sheer length of it – almost 100 meters – is immediately apparent. The structure is largely intact, with various compartments and holds you can fin past, imagining the crew on board back in 1944. There’s a real somber quiet to this dive, especially when you consider the 200-plus souls who went down with it. That said, life has thoroughly reclaimed the Hatsutaka. Look for the schooling fusiliers that swirl around the mast, often so thick they dim the ambient light. We’ve seen plenty of groupers tucked into the shadowed sections, and the occasional turtle glides by, seemingly unfazed by the wreck’s past. This is a dive for the more experienced, those comfortable with deeper profiles and interested in exploring a significant piece of wartime history, rather than just a quick look at corals. We’d suggest going early in the morning to beat any potential crowds and to get the best visibility before the day heats up.

Location
Redang Island, Malaysia, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
4.832500, 103.453835
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
27m

Marine Protected Area: Rantau Abang Fisheries Prohibited Areas

Best Time to Dive in Redang Island

The warmest water temperatures in Redang Island occur in May, averaging 30.5°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 28.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.0°C
  • February: 28.0°C
  • March: 28.8°C
  • April: 30.2°C
  • May: 30.5°C
  • June: 29.9°C
  • July: 29.5°C
  • August: 29.4°C
  • September: 29.5°C
  • October: 29.9°C
  • November: 29.6°C
  • December: 28.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Redang Island

Nearest Dive Centres to HATSUTAKA (POSSIBLY)

Marine Life in Redang Island

Home to 153 recorded species including 101 reef fish, 34 hard corals, 7 sea cucumbers, 3 other, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 sharks & rays.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for HATSUTAKA (POSSIBLY)

Based on average water temperature of 29.3°C, currents 53 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins (stiff blade recommended for strong currents)
  • 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