Japanese Ship Wreck - Malapascua

The Japanese Ship Wreck just off Malapascua is a dive we always recommend, especially for a second or third dive of the day. It’s not a battleship, despite what some might say, but a smaller Japanese cargo vessel. The history is still there, a tangible connection to wartime, but it’s the way the reef has reclaimed it that really captivates us. Dropping down, the bow is often the first thing you see, stark against the blue. We love poking around the hold, imagining its former life, now home to clouds of fusiliers and the occasional lionfish tucked into a crevice. Look closely, and you’ll spot Savigny's Brittle Stars everywhere, clinging to the metal, almost part of the ship itself. The swim-throughs are easy, suitable for most divers comfortable in enclosed spaces, offering cool shadows and often a surprise encounter with a cruising amberfish. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the propeller still sits, an impressive relic now covered in soft corals. It's not a deep dive, making for good bottom time, and the current is usually mild, perfect for a relaxed exploration. While thresher sharks aren’t a regular feature here, the wreck itself offers a unique blend of history and thriving reef life, a calm contrast to the morning thresher dives.

Location
Malapascua, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
11.341246, 124.107900
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Mabini, Higatangan Marine Sanctuary

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 Japanese Ship Wreck

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 Japanese Ship Wreck

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