wreck

Log This Dive

PRINCESS OF ANTIQUE

The Princess of Antique, she’s a proper old girl, isn’t she? Sunk back in ‘86, a roll-on, roll-off ferry that broke her lines in a storm. She’s shallow, just two metres to her highest points, so it’s less a dive and more a snorkel, but don't let that fool you. This isn't just a jumble of metal. Her bow points west, stern east, and you can still make out the superstructure, even some of the old railings. We love tracing the deck, imagining the cars that once rolled on and off. What makes her special for us is the light. In that clear Bohol water, the sun dapples right through the wreckage, illuminating schools of tiny baitfish that flicker like silver confetti. You’ll spot clownfish peeking from anemones that have taken root on rusted plating, and curious damselfish darting between the beams. Our favourite part is the engine room access, or what’s left of it. It’s barely a crawl space now, but we always find something interesting tucked away – maybe a moray eel, or a lionfish resting in the shadows. It’s a fantastic spot for photographers, especially macro enthusiasts, with all that natural light. We’d suggest hitting it around mid-morning, just after the initial boat traffic, when the light is overhead and paints the wreck in its best colours.