DONA LILIAN - Siargao

For those days when you’ve had your fill of Siargao’s reef dives, the Dona Lilian is a welcome change of pace. This isn’t a shallow, coral-encrusted wreck. She sits upright on the seabed at 45 metres, a proper deep dive that we think is best for experienced wreck enthusiasts. The visibility here is usually pretty good, and the dark silhouette of the 63-metre carrier vessel comes into view slowly, almost majestically, as you descend. Built in 1967, the Dona Lilian sank in 1982 en route from Bislig to Surigao City. The cause remains a mystery, adding a layer of intrigue to the dive. We love poking around the bridge area, though much of the superstructure has deteriorated over the decades. What you’ll find now is a skeleton of metal, home to some seriously chunky groupers and schools of snapper that swirl around the cargo holds. There’s a quietness down there, a real sense of history. Keep an eye out for lionfish tucked into the crevices and the occasional moray eel peering out from the deeper sections. Our pick for timing is late morning, after the current has settled a bit.

Location
Siargao, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
9.083333, 126.250000
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
45m

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 DONA LILIAN

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 DONA LILIAN

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