ANNA MARZ - Malapascua

The Anna Marz, just a stone's throw from Bounty Beach, is one of Malapascua's most accessible wrecks. At a maximum depth of eight metres, it’s a brilliant afternoon dive, especially if you’ve been out to Monad Shoal early and want something relaxed to finish the day. This isn't some ancient galleon, it's a relatively modern motor vessel, scuttled intentionally in 2011 to create an artificial reef. We love how quickly marine life has adopted it; schools of batfish often hang out around the stern, their silver bodies catching the light, while colourful nudibranchs are usually dotted across the hull. You can poke around the open cargo holds, which are now home to juvenile sweetlips and the occasional lionfish lurking in the shadows. What we really enjoy about the Anna Marz is its playful nature. It’s small enough to circumnavigate multiple times, finding new details with each pass. The light penetration is fantastic, so everything feels bright and inviting. We’d suggest going in the late afternoon; the sun angles are beautiful, and the boat traffic has usually died down by then. It's a fantastic site for newer wreck divers or photographers looking for some great natural light shots.

Location
Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
11.630834, 122.485830
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
8m

Wreck History - ANNA MARZ

Year Sunk
2002
Vessel Type
ferry
Cause
storm

In a region known for its powerful typhoons, the ANNA MARZ is a classic example of a vessel lost to the forces of nature. Believed to be a small local ferry or cargo vessel, it was caught in the fury of Typhoon Mitag (known locally as Bising) in 2002. Overwhelmed by massive waves and torrential rain, the ship was lost and sank very close to shore, settling in the sand at a depth of only 8 meters.

For divers visiting Malapascua, an island famous for its deep-water thresher shark encounters, the ANNA MARZ offers a wonderful and relaxing contrast. Its extreme shallow depth makes it an ideal site for a final 'off-gassing' dive, for novice divers, or for anyone keen on macro photography. The wreck itself is small and broken, but it acts as a valuable sanctuary for juvenile fish and a host of critters. Sharp-eyed divers can find frogfish, ghost pipefish, and a variety of shrimp and crabs, making it a rewarding treasure hunt in the sunlit shallows.

Best Time to Dive in Malapascua

The warmest water temperatures in Malapascua occur in June, averaging 29.9°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.5°C
  • February: 27.1°C
  • March: 27.6°C
  • April: 28.3°C
  • May: 29.6°C
  • June: 29.9°C
  • July: 29.6°C
  • August: 29.6°C
  • September: 29.8°C
  • October: 29.6°C
  • November: 29.2°C
  • December: 28.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Malapascua

Nearest Dive Centres to ANNA MARZ

Marine Life in Malapascua

Home to 88 recorded species including 72 reef fish, 5 crabs & lobsters, 5 sharks & rays, 2 other, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs, 1 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ANNA MARZ

Based on average water temperature of 28.9°C, currents 15 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°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