El Capitan (USS Majaba) - Subic Bay

El Capitan, the USS Majaba, is a wreck we always look forward to diving in Subic. Sitting upright at a flat 20 metres, it's a perfect intermediate dive; deep enough to feel like a proper wreck, shallow enough to let you linger. We love dropping down onto the huge cargo holds, often finding a pair of resident lionfish tucked into a corner, just waiting for a photo op. The sheer size of the Majaba is what gets us every time. This isn’t some small boat. You can spend your entire bottom time exploring just one section, pushing through the superstructure or peering into the massive open holds that once stored military hardware. Schools of batfish often hang motionless above the deck, occasionally swirling as you approach. Look closely at the hull and you’ll spot nudibranchs, usually a few different varieties, slowly making their way across the barnacle-encrusted metal. Our favourite section has to be the stern, where the prop shaft housing offers a natural overhang for all sorts of critters. Dive this one in the morning if you can, before the bay gets too busy, and you might just have the old girl all to yourself.

Location
Subic Bay, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
14.767100, 120.257500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
20m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Sabang Marine Protected Area

Best Time to Dive in Subic Bay

The warmest water temperatures in Subic Bay occur in May, averaging 31.4°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 28.2°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.4°C
  • February: 28.2°C
  • March: 29.4°C
  • April: 30.5°C
  • May: 31.4°C
  • June: 31.3°C
  • July: 30.8°C
  • August: 29.8°C
  • September: 30.0°C
  • October: 30.4°C
  • November: 30.4°C
  • December: 29.4°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Subic Bay

Nearest Dive Centres to El Capitan (USS Majaba)

Marine Life in Subic Bay

Home to 63 recorded species including 49 reef fish, 6 seagrass & algae, 5 hard corals, 2 sharks & rays, 1 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for El Capitan (USS Majaba)

Based on average water temperature of 30.0°C, currents 3 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 30°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