ASIA SOUTH KOREA - Malapascua

Asia South Korea, now there’s a wreck that tells a story. We’ve spent a fair bit of time on her, and each dive reveals something new. This isn’t one of those wrecks where you’re just looking at a pile of metal; she sits upright, proud, and remarkably intact for something that went down in heavy weather back in '99. We love dropping down to her bow, often a little spooky with the light filtering through the 30-metre depth, then drifting along her main deck. You'll spot the bridge area first, always a highlight, with plenty of entry points if you’re wreck-trained and want to explore the darker corners. The cargo holds are open too, and often filled with schools of snappers, their scales catching the torch beam. Garden eels populate the sandy patches around the hull, swaying in unison, and we’ve seen some hefty groupers lurking in the deeper sections. It’s a proper wreck dive, best suited for advanced divers comfortable with depth and overhead environments, offering plenty to discover beyond just the exterior.

Location
Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
11.466667, 123.733330
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30m

Wreck History - ASIA SOUTH KOREA

Year Sunk
1999
Vessel Type
ferry
Cause
storm

The sinking of the ferry Asia South Korea is one of the Philippines' most tragic maritime disasters. On December 23, 1999, just two days before Christmas, the vessel was en route from Cebu City to Iloilo, operated by Trans-Asia Shipping Lines. Caught in severe weather, the ferry was overwhelmed by a massive wave that swamped the decks and caused it to capsize and sink rapidly. The disaster resulted in a devastating loss of life, with reports indicating over 600 passengers and crew perished in the incident.

Today, the Asia South Korea rests at a depth of 30 meters off Malapascua. This is a somber and challenging dive reserved for advanced divers. The depth requires careful planning and respect for the site's tragic history. Divers who visit the wreck will find a large, intact vessel that serves as a poignant memorial to the many lives lost. It is a powerful dive that encourages reflection on the unforgiving nature of the sea and the human stories tied to the wrecks we explore.

Marine Protected Area: Islands of Guinauyan, Naro, Chico, and Pobre Wilderness Area

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 SOUTH KOREA

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 SOUTH KOREA

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