CAPTAIN UFUK
Protected Area
Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA)/Las Piñas-Parañaque
Why dive here
With 57+ marine species recorded in the area - including blacktip reef sharks - CAPTAIN UFUK offers some of Subic Bay's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 27-32°C, warmest May, June, July.
The Captain Ufuk sits in just 8 metres of water, making it a brilliant spot for newer divers or anyone wanting a long, relaxed bottom time. It's a small motor vessel, classified as a 'dangerous wreck' by the local authorities, which always makes us chuckle a bit – it's more quirky than menacing. We love drifting over the main deck, observing how the soft corals have started to creep across the hull, like colourful moss on a forgotten statue. Entry is straightforward, usually just a short boat ride from one of the Subic Bay dive centres. You can spend ages exploring the shallow holds, where schools of tiny glassfish dart and swirl, creating shimmering clouds when you approach. Keep an eye out for resident lionfish, often tucked into shadowed corners, their venomous spines fanning out dramatically. It's not a deep, penetrable wreck, but its accessibility and the way marine life has embraced it make it one of our favourite easy dives in the bay. We often spot a turtle or two grazing nearby, too.
Typical CAPTAIN UFUK Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
CAPTAIN UFUK Wreck History
Year Sunk
2012
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
storm
Tonnage
600 GRT
The M/V Captain Ufuk has one of the most intriguing backstories of any wreck in the Philippines. This small cargo vessel was not just any commercial ship; it was a key asset in an international gun-smuggling ring operated by the notorious criminal mastermind, Paul Le Roux. In 2009, Philippine authorities, acting on a tip, intercepted the ship and discovered a hidden cache of high-powered firearms. The vessel was seized and its crew arrested, marking a significant blow to Le Roux's expansive illegal empire.
After its capture, the Captain Ufuk was impounded and moved to a mooring in Subic Bay, where it sat for several years as evidence in a complex legal case. Left to the mercy of the elements, its condition deteriorated until it finally succumbed to a powerful typhoon in 2012, sinking at its mooring and settling upright on the sandy bottom. Its designation as a 'Dangerous Wreck' refers to its history and potential hazards, though it has become a popular dive site.
Today, the Captain Ufuk offers a fascinating dive for all skill levels. Resting in just 8 meters of water, the wreck is easily accessible and allows for long, relaxed bottom times. Divers can explore the ship's deck, superstructure, and empty cargo holds, imagining its clandestine past. While the illicit cargo is long gone, the story of the vessel adds a layer of adventure to the dive, and the structure is slowly transforming into a new artificial reef, attracting a variety of local marine life.
Nearest Dive Centres to CAPTAIN UFUK
Dive shops near CAPTAIN UFUK
Scuba Academy Manila
Dive Buddies Philippines
Divers Point
OceanZoneExplorers
Blueworld Dive Center
Reviews for CAPTAIN UFUK
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for CAPTAIN UFUK
CAPTAIN UFUK Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for CAPTAIN UFUK, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (14.67, 120.67) (22km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
86°F · Range: 28.8–31.5°C
Current Speed
2.24 cm/s
Direction: NW (296.6°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.071 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
31.3 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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