Car Wreck - Dumaguete

The Car Wreck just outside Dumaguete is one of those sites that sounds a bit underwhelming on paper, but really delivers in the water. We’ve always found it surprisingly photogenic. It’s not some grand freighter, more like a collection of vehicles deliberately sunk, now draped in sponges and soft corals, creating a series of swim-throughs and overhangs. You drop down onto a sandy slope, and there it is: a jumble of what looks like old jeeps and a small bus, all encrusted. We love poking around the cabin of the bus, often finding tiny crabs tucked into crevices or a moray eel peeking from under a chassis. Schools of snapper often hover above the wreckage, and we've seen cuttlefish here too, sometimes even a juvenile frogfish if you have a sharp eye and a patient guide. It’s a gentle dive, usually with mild current, perfect for an easy second dive of the day or for divers who enjoy exploring smaller, intricate structures. Try to hit it around mid-morning; the light catches the corals beautifully then.

Location
Dumaguete, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
9.172009, 123.259310
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Car Wreck

Vessel Type
unknown
Cause
scuttled

The "Car Wreck" of Dumaguete is not a single historic vessel, but a deliberately created artificial reef that has become a beloved local dive site. A collection of old cars, including several classic Volkswagen Beetles, were sunk here to create a new habitat for marine life and an intriguing underwater playground for divers. Over the years, nature has worked its magic, transforming these mundane objects into vibrant, coral-encrusted structures. Divers can explore the car bodies, which now provide shelter for a diverse array of reef fish, moray eels, and countless invertebrates. It's a shallow, accessible dive perfect for photographers and those looking for a unique underwater experience beyond traditional reefs and shipwrecks.

Marine Protected Area: Apo Island Protected Landscape & Seascape

Best Time to Dive in Dumaguete

The warmest water temperatures in Dumaguete occur in January, averaging 26.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 26.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.8°C (air: 26.7°C)
  • February: 26.8°C (air: 26.6°C)
  • March: 26.8°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • April: 26.8°C (air: 28.1°C)
  • May: 26.8°C (air: 28.5°C)
  • June: 26.8°C (air: 27.8°C)
  • July: 26.8°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • August: 26.8°C (air: 27.6°C)
  • September: 26.8°C (air: 27.6°C)
  • October: 26.8°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • November: 26.8°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • December: 26.8°C (air: 27.0°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Dumaguete

Nearest Dive Centres to Car Wreck

Marine Life in Dumaguete

Home to 522 recorded species including 440 reef fish, 18 sharks & rays, 15 sea cucumbers, 12 sea snails & nudibranchs, 9 seagrass & algae, 9 hard corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Car Wreck

Based on average water temperature of 26.8°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories