HIJMS Kumano - Subic Bay
Diving the HIJMS Kumano is a proper historical journey, not just a wreck dive. This Japanese heavy cruiser, sunk during Operation Transom in 1944, lies on its side, broken but mostly intact. We love how the sheer scale hits you – it’s a big wreck, and you can really feel the history as you fin past huge gun turrets and twisted metal. The stern section, in particular, is our favourite, with its massive propellers still visible and huge schools of batfish circling overhead, almost like they’re guarding the ship. Inside, penetration is possible for trained wreck divers, and you can often find surprising artefacts like sake bottles or gas masks, though we always recommend looking, not touching. Be aware, though, the silting can be bad inside, so good buoyancy is key. This site is a phenomenal choice for experienced wreck divers and history buffs who appreciate a truly substantial piece of the past.
- Location
- Subic Bay, Philippines, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 15.758641, 119.811200
- Type
- wreck
Marine Protected Area: Bani 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
- BALDER CHUANCHOW - 4m (wreck)
- BCL - 6m (wreck)
- CAPTAIN UFUK - 8m (wreck)
- CEBU CITY - 27m (wreck)
- CLYDESDALE IV - 5m (wreck)
- Coral Garden (reef)
- DA'KUDOS Beach Resort
- DONA CORAZON II - 0m (wreck)
- Douglas Skyraider (Wreck) - 31m (wreck)
- EILEEN RACHEL - 1m (wreck)
- El Capitan (USS Majaba) - 20m (wreck)
- FEOSO SUN - 24m (wreck)
- FERNANDO J-1 - 20m (wreck)
- FU SAN - 5m (wreck)
- GENERAL SANTOS CITY - 25m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to HIJMS Kumano
- Arizona Dive Shop - PADI
- Blueworld Dive Center - ["PADI"]
- Camayan Divers - ["PADI"]
- Dive Buddies Philippines - ["PADI"]
- Divers Point
- Ocean Deep - Diver Training Center (PADI)
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
- Flagfin Mojarra (Gerres filamentosus) - Reef Fish
- Species code: Ea (Enhalus acoroides) - Seagrass & Algae
- Crescent Grunter (Terapon jarbua) - Reef Fish
- Bar Eyed Goby (Glossogobius giuris) - Reef Fish
- Green Rrough-backed Puffer (Lagocephalus lunaris) - Reef Fish
- Silver Sillago (Sillago sihama) - Reef Fish
- Common Ponyfish (Leiognathus equula) - Reef Fish
- Toothed Ponyfish (Gazza minuta) - Reef Fish
- Blacktip Ponyfish (Eubleekeria splendens) - Reef Fish
- Honeycomb coral (Favites abdita) - Hard Corals
- thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
- halodule (Halodule uninervis) - Seagrass & Algae
- Six-banded Rock Cod (Epinephelus sexfasciatus) - Reef Fish
- Silverfish (Trichiurus lepturus) - Reef Fish
- Silver Javelin (Pomadasys argenteus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora millepora) - Hard Corals
- Canif (Aeoliscus strigatus) - Reef Fish
- Butterfish (Scatophagus argus) - Reef Fish
- Puntang Goby (Exyrias puntang) - Reef Fish
- Giant Herring (Elops hawaiensis) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for HIJMS Kumano
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