ATLANTIC - Siargao

Atlantic isn't your average Siargao dive. Forget the shallow reefs; this is a wreck site, and a proper one at that. We're talking about a motor vessel, the M/V Ailigh, that went down in Typhoon Ike back in '84. She lies upright, deep, with the deck around 30 metres, plunging to 55 metres at the deepest point. That depth means it’s for experienced divers, no question. What we love about Atlantic is the sheer sense of history. You descend onto this enormous shape, dark against the blue, and the details start to emerge: the bridge structure, the cargo holds, the prop. It’s a somber place when you remember the story, the lives lost. But life has reclaimed it. Schools of jacks spiral above the mast, their silver flashing as they turn. Giant groupers eye you from shadowy doorways, and lionfish drift lazily along the hull. The coral growth isn’t extensive, not like a reef, but there are some impressive gorgonians waving in the current and a surprising number of nudibranchs if you slow down and look closely. We always try to hit it on an incoming tide, when the visibility tends to be best, and the currents aren't too gnarly.

Location
Siargao, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
9.666667, 125.666664
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
55m

Wreck History - ATLANTIC

Year Sunk
1984
Vessel Type
ferry
Cause
storm

The M/V ATLANTIC lies in the deep, dark waters off Siargao, a somber monument to one of the Philippines' worst maritime disasters. In September 1984, the inter-island ferry was caught in the furious grip of Typhoon Ike (known locally as Nitang) while on passage from Cebu. The storm, one of the most powerful to ever hit the region, overwhelmed the vessel, sending it to the seabed with a tragic loss of life; only five people survived the sinking.

Today, the ATLANTIC rests at 55 meters, a challenging and poignant dive reserved for experienced technical divers. Descending onto the wreck is a journey back in time, where the vessel rests silently as an underwater memorial. Given its depth and the tragic circumstances of its loss, the dive is a solemn experience. Divers who make the journey are asked to explore with the utmost respect for the vessel and the many souls lost with it.

Marine Protected Area: Mangrove Areas along Municipalities of Lavigan, Valencia Up to Taon River Municipality of Barcelona,, Islands of Masopelid, Mahaba, Condona, Bayagnan, Bilabid and Caye Mangrove Swamp Forest Reserve

Best Time to Dive in Siargao

The warmest water temperatures in Siargao occur in September, averaging 30.2°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.1°C
  • February: 27.7°C
  • March: 27.9°C
  • April: 28.4°C
  • May: 29.1°C
  • June: 29.3°C
  • July: 29.6°C
  • August: 30.1°C
  • September: 30.2°C
  • October: 30.0°C
  • November: 30.0°C
  • December: 29.4°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Siargao

Nearest Dive Centres to ATLANTIC

Marine Life in Siargao

Home to 87 recorded species including 62 reef fish, 7 sharks & rays, 5 seagrass & algae, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 crabs & lobsters, 2 hard corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ATLANTIC

Based on average water temperature of 29.2°C, currents 2 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