Nanshin Maru wreck (Black island beach)
Why dive here
With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including giant moray eels, sea turtles, sperm whales, lionfish and pufferfish - Nanshin Maru wreck (Black island beach) offers some of Apo Reef's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest May, June, July.
The Nanshin Maru wreck, just off Black Island beach, feels like a real journey back in time. We love the history here, a Japanese supply ship from WWII, scuttled and now sitting upright on the sandy bottom. Descending, you can make out the ship’s structure, surprisingly intact. Schools of fusiliers often swirl around the mast, so thick they almost block the light, while big giant morays peer out from the darker recesses of the cargo holds. We always take our time poking around the superstructure, imagining the stories this old girl could tell. Look closely for the smaller stuff too; the deck plates are a haven for tiny blennies and various cardinalfish darting between the crevices. It’s a comfortable dive, perfect for anyone who enjoys a bit of history with their marine life, without demanding deep technical skills. Our favourite part is lingering over the stern, watching the sunlight play through the rusted metal.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
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Sea dive Extension
Pirate Divers
D’Divers
Sangat Island Dive Resort
Chindonan Dive & Beach Resort
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Nanshin Maru wreck (Black island beach)
Nanshin Maru wreck (Black island beach) Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Nanshin Maru wreck (Black island beach), sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (12.33, 121.06) (26km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
86°F · Range: 28.1–31.3°C
Current Speed
3.16 cm/s
Direction: E (108.4°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.049 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
32.63 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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