wreck

Log This Dive

NORTHERN SAMAR

Forget the whale sharks for a day, because we’ve found a compelling piece of history, and a good dive, in Northern Samar. This isn't a picture-perfect reef; it's a 49-meter ferry, the ex-Sakurajima Maru No. 6, resting upright since 2006. Dropping down, you feel the sheer scale of it immediately. We love how the wheelhouse offers a swim-through, just wide enough, and the cargo holds are open, inviting you inside. It’s dark in there, so bring a good torch; you’ll see schooling batfish hovering in the gloom, and lionfish often lurk in the shadowed corners. The wreck sits at 38 meters, so it’s one for advanced divers, no question. Current can pick up, especially around the bow, so we always plan for a slack tide dive here. The hull is now encrusted with sponges and soft corals, a genuine artificial reef attracting sweetlips and grouper. It feels like a real exploration, a quiet dive with a sense of purpose. For wreck enthusiasts, it's a solid day out.