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Olympia Maru

The Olympia Maru is our favourite wreck dive in Apo Reef, hands down. It’s got that perfect blend of history and biology, a real living museum. This Japanese freighter, sunk during WWII, now rests on its side, split into three main sections. You can really feel the scale of it as you descend, the sheer bulk of the metal hull appearing out of the blue. We usually start at the stern, where the propeller is still intact, encrusted with so many sponges and soft corals it looks like a giant, ornate flower. As you move along the deck, you’ll spot lionfish tucked into every nook and cranny, and often a few big groupers peering out from shadowed cargo holds. The mid-section offers some penetrations for experienced divers, though we’d suggest keeping it external if the current is up, which it often is here. The bow is particularly scenic, often swarming with schools of fusiliers and yellowtail snappers, their bodies flashing in the sunlight filtering down. For anyone who appreciates a wreck that's fully embraced by the reef, this one is special.