wreck

Log This Dive

Dona Marilyn

The Dona Marilyn, for us, is more than just a wreck. It’s a ghost ship, a tragic slice of history resting on the sandy bottom, and it’s always a thought-provoking dive. The ferry sank during a typhoon in 1988, taking hundreds of lives with it, and there’s a quiet solemnity to the site that you feel as you descend. At around 30 metres, the bow emerges from the gloom first, vast and imposing. We love drifting along the 90-metre length, peering into the open cargo holds where beams of light pierce the darkness. Over the years, the wreck has transformed into a thriving artificial reef. You’ll find white-tip reef sharks often cruising the perimeter, and we’ve seen marble rays gliding silently over the deck. Batfish hang around the superstructure, and if you look closely, you can spot frogfish nestled amongst the corals that have begun to colonise the metal. Penetration is possible in a few spots if you’re wreck trained, but even just exploring the exterior offers plenty to see. It’s a fantastic dive for experienced divers who appreciate history and the power of nature reclaiming what was lost. Currents can be unpredictable, so we always check conditions before jumping in.