Delsan Wreck - Tubbataha Reef

The Delsan Wreck, sitting upright at 29 metres, is one of those sites that just feels right for Tubbataha. It’s not some ancient Galleon, but a modern freighter, sunk in the late 1980s. That relatively recent sinking means a wreck that’s still very much a wreck, yet also wonderfully colonised. We love that balance. You get the thrill of exploring cargo holds and machinery, while also finning past schooling fusiliers and trevally that use the superstructure for shelter. Our favourite part is always the bow, where the chain locker offers a gloomy, atmospheric swim-through, often with a white-tip reef shark curled up inside. The current can pick up here, pushing you gently along the deck, which is perfect for lazy drift dives past the wheelhouse. Keep an eye out for giant groupers lurking in the shadows and massive schools of snappers that swirl around the masts. It’s an intermediate dive, really, because of that depth and potential for current, but the wreck itself is open and relatively easy to navigate. A fantastic combination of history and healthy reef life.

Location

Tubbataha Reef, Philippines, Southeast Asia

Coordinates

8.747600, 119.833500

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

29m

Difficulty

Intermediate

Marine Protected Area: Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park