JHUFEL - Visayas

We’ve explored a fair few wrecks in the Visayas, but the JHUFEL holds a special kind of charm. Sunk during Typhoon Mike in 1990, this old ferry, once the Yumeji Maru, rests at a max depth of 6m. It’s a shallow dive, almost a snorkel, perfect for extending a surface interval or shaking out the kinks after a long flight. What we love about the JHUFEL is its accessibility. You can spend a good 45 minutes just poking around the bow and stern. The superstructure is long gone, stripped away by the storm, but the hull remains surprisingly intact. Schools of juvenile snapper often shelter within the hull’s skeletal ribs. We’ve spotted lionfish perched on rusted plates, their fins fanning slowly, and the occasional moray peering out from a dark corner. Sunlight still penetrates every part of the wreck, painting the metal with shifting patterns. It’s a surprisingly photogenic site, especially on a sunny morning before the boat traffic picks up. Our pick for entry is a gentle giant stride from a small banca, dropping right onto the deck. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs, too; the growth on the hull is surprisingly rich. It’s a simple, relaxing dive, and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

Location: Visayas, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates: 10.308333, 123.925000
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 6m

Marine Protected Area: Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Best Time to Dive in Visayas

The warmest water temperatures in Visayas occur in January, averaging 27.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 27.8°C (air: 23.3°C)
February: 27.8°C (air: 23.3°C)
March: 27.8°C (air: 24.2°C)
April: 27.8°C (air: 25.3°C)
May: 27.8°C (air: 25.7°C)
June: 27.8°C (air: 24.8°C)
July: 27.8°C (air: 24.7°C)
August: 27.8°C (air: 24.9°C)
September: 27.8°C (air: 24.8°C)
October: 27.8°C (air: 24.4°C)
November: 27.8°C (air: 24.3°C)
December: 27.8°C (air: 23.7°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to JHUFEL

Marine Life in Visayas

Home to 577 recorded species including 463 reef fish, 24 sharks & rays, 21 hard corals, 19 sea snails & nudibranchs, 14 sea cucumbers, 9 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species

Scarlet wrasse (Pseudocheilinus evanidus) - Reef Fish
Blacktip Ponyfish (Eubleekeria splendens) - Reef Fish
Wrasse (Thalassoma lunare) - Reef Fish
Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) - Reef Fish
Banded Toby (Canthigaster valentini) - Reef Fish
Comettailed wrasse (Oxycheilinus bimaculatus) - Reef Fish
Angel abu polos (Centropyge vrolikii) - Reef Fish
Six-line wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) - Reef Fish
Bristle-toothed Surgeonfish (Ctenochaetus striatus) - Reef Fish
Blue-lined Tang (Zebrasoma scopas) - Reef Fish
Sleek Unicornfish (Naso hexacanthus) - Reef Fish
Barred Unicornfish (Naso thynnoides) - Reef Fish
Bloodspot pipefish (Corythoichthys haematopterus) - Reef Fish
Blue-scaled wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura) - Reef Fish
Orange-lined Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) - Reef Fish
Clark's anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) - Reef Fish
Parrotfish (Thalassoma hardwicke) - Reef Fish
Blackspine Unicornfish (Naso minor) - Reef Fish
Crescent Grunter (Terapon jarbua) - Reef Fish
Blenny (Istiblennius dussumieri) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for JHUFEL

Based on average water temperature of 27.8°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°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