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DON CARLOS GOTHONG

The Don Carlos Gothong wreck is a bit of an old friend in Cebu. We’ve visited her a few times, and each dive feels like stepping back into a piece of local history. She’s a motor vessel, built in '49, sunk in '78 during a typhoon right in Cebu Harbour. We love how accessible she is, sitting upright in just nine meters of water. This makes for a long bottom time, perfect for a slow exploration. You can really take your time here. We usually kick over to the bow, then slowly make our way back, often sticking our heads into the cargo holds. They’re wide open, filled with light, and home to big schools of yellowtail snapper. Look closely, and you’ll spot lionfish tucked into every nook and cranny, and nudibranchs grazing on the coral growth that’s started to colonise the decking. For such a shallow wreck, the Don Carlos Gothong offers a surprisingly detailed dive. It’s a photographer’s dream, especially on sunny days when the light shafts pierce through the superstructure. Our top tip: go early to avoid the boat traffic, and you’ll have the old girl all to yourself.