ASIA MALAYSIA - Malapascua

Asia Malaysia, Malapascua, isn't your typical deep wreck dive. She’s a roll-on/roll-off ferry, sunk in 2011, sitting upright in a shallow 10 metres of water. We love that it’s accessible to almost everyone, a gentle introduction to wreck diving. The story itself is fascinating – everyone onboard was rescued after she succumbed to heavy seas on a run from Cebu to Iloilo. Today, she’s a playground for macro life. You can spend an entire dive exploring the upper decks, looking into the bridge windows, and imagining the final moments. We've often found robust ghost pipefish tucked into crannies, and our last visit yielded a beautiful ornate ghost pipefish camouflaged against some soft coral. Schools of small silversides shimmer around the superstructure, and lionfish often lurk in the shadows, waiting for an easy meal. This is a site we’d suggest for photographers or anyone wanting a relaxed, rewarding dive. It's a proper wreck, but without the nitrogen penalty.

Location
Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
11.005834, 123.106390
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

Wreck History - ASIA MALAYSIA

Year Sunk
2011
Vessel Type
ferry
Cause
storm

The ferry Asia Malaysia was on a routine passage from Cebu to Iloilo City in July 2011 when the weather took a dramatic turn. Battered by large waves and powerful winds, the vessel began to list heavily to starboard. As the situation worsened, the captain made the difficult decision to abandon ship. In a remarkable display of coordination and bravery, rescue operations were successful, and all 168 passengers and crew were brought to safety before the ferry finally slipped beneath the waves.

Lying at a recreational depth of just 10 meters near the world-famous diving destination of Malapascua, the Asia Malaysia is a fantastic wreck for divers of all levels. Its recent sinking means the structure is still largely intact, allowing divers to easily identify features like the passenger decks and bridge. The shallow depth ensures long, relaxed bottom times and provides a perfect canvas for the colonization of new coral and the arrival of reef fish, making it a story of survival both for its passengers and for the new ecosystem it now supports.

Marine Protected Area: Sagay Marine Reserve

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 ASIA MALAYSIA

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 ASIA MALAYSIA

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