wreck

55m

Siargao, Philippines

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

ATLANTIC

Best months: Jan–Dec

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

Why dive here

With 82+ marine species recorded in the area - including manta rays, mobula rays (devil rays), whale sharks and pufferfish - ATLANTIC offers some of Siargao's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest August, September, November.

Marine lifeManta Rays, Mobula Rays (Devil Rays), Whale Sharks and Pufferfish · 82+ species recorded

Water28-30°C · warmest August, September, November

CharacterWreck dive · max 55m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

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.

Typical ATLANTIC Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Maximum depth 55m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

Today05:3017:5212h 22m daylightGolden hour 17:24

ATLANTIC Wreck History

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.