wreck

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KOKUSEI MARU (POSSIBLY)

The Kokusei Maru wreck, resting at 38 metres, always feels like a bit of a historical pilgrimage in Sipadan. We love the sheer size of it, a proper steamship sunk by the USS Hammerhead in 1944. Dropping down, the sheer outline of the hull emerges from the blue, often shrouded in a light haze of schooling fusiliers, which always makes us smile. Our favourite approach is to swim along the deck, peeking into the cargo holds if the current allows. You'll often find a giant moray or two tucked away in the darker recesses, their heads poking out with a wary glance. The stern, in particular, is captivating; the propeller is still mostly intact, encrusted with so many colourful sponges and small anemones that it almost glows. It's a dive for those who appreciate history intertwined with marine life, a quiet contemplation amongst the chaos of a busy reef. We always recommend trying to hit it early in the morning before the day's boat traffic kicks up any sediment.