MIKA MARI 1 - Visayas

We’ll be honest, the *Mika Mari 1* isn't going to blow you away with its size, but it makes up for it in character. Sunk intentionally in 2022, this motor vessel is sitting upright in a mere 6 metres of water, making it a perfect spot for newer divers or anyone looking for a relaxed, long bottom time. We love drifting over the main deck, watching the light play through the open hatches. Inside, the wheelhouse is a tight squeeze but totally worth a peek; you can still see some of the gauges and controls, which is a neat touch for such a young wreck. The interesting part, for us, is how quickly life has moved in. Already, you’ll spot small schooling fish darting in and out of the superstructure, and the occasional moray eel peeking from a dark corner. It’s shallow enough that you get great ambient light, painting the nascent coral growth in soft blues and greens. For photographers, it’s a brilliant training ground; you can really take your time framing shots without worrying about depth limits. We’d suggest going in the late afternoon, the light hitting the wreck just so, giving it a slightly eerie, atmospheric feel.

Location: Visayas, Philippines, Southeast Asia
Coordinates: 10.636943, 124.297220
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 6m

Marine Protected Area: Caroyocan Fish 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 MIKA MARI 1

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 MIKA MARI 1

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