USS New York (Wreck) - Subic Bay

Dropping onto the deck of the USS New York, a massive armoured cruiser from the Spanish-American War, feels like stepping back in time. She’s big, properly big, listing hard to port and mostly intact, though the years have certainly taken their toll. We love the sheer scale of this wreck. You can spend a whole dive just traversing her deck, watching the schools of fusiliers swirl around the turrets. Our favourite part is poking around the bow gun. It’s still there, mounted in position, encrusted in colourful sponges and soft corals, with a few curious batfish often hanging around. Visibility isn’t always amazing in Subic Bay, maybe 10-15 metres on a good day, but the wreck's size means you’re always bumping into something interesting. We'd suggest diving it on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds from the weekend dive boats. You’ll definitely feel the history here; it’s an ideal dive for anyone who appreciates a good historical wreck with plenty to explore, even if it’s just imagining the old girl in her prime.

Location: Subic Bay, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates: 14.803600, 120.279400
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 28m
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

Nearest Dive Centres to USS New York (Wreck)

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 USS New York (Wreck)

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