wreck

Log This Dive

YS-11A (RP-C1419)

The YS-11A wreck, just off Mactan, is a surprisingly engaging dive considering its shallowness. We love it for a quick, relaxed dip, especially if you’ve got a flight later in the day and need a fix. This old Philippine Airlines turboprop, which went down in '77, rests upright in about 5 metres of water. You can clearly make out the cockpit, parts of the fuselage, and even the engines, all encrusted now with soft corals. It’s an easy swim-through in parts; the cargo hold, for instance, offers a brief, eerie enclosed space. Inside, look for the small schooling fish that dart between the ribs of the plane, and the occasional lionfish lurking in a shadowed corner. Visibility here can vary, but on a good day, with the sun high, the light plays beautifully through the airplane’s skeleton. It's a great site for photographers keen on natural light and a bit of history, and perfect for newer divers building confidence around wrecks. Our favourite time to go is late morning, before any boat traffic picks up.