AH LAM II - Southern Islands

Ah Lam II is one of our favourites in the Southern Islands, definitely a standout. It's a tugboat that went down back in '92, and the story of its sinking – squeezed between a bulk carrier and its own tow – gives it a real character. Dropping to 27 metres, you'll find the wreck largely intact, sitting upright on the seabed. We love exploring the engine room, often finding large groupers lurking in the shadows. The wheelhouse is usually teeming with schooling fusiliers, so thick they almost block out the ambient light, and we've regularly seen barracuda circling the mast. It's a surprisingly fishy wreck, probably because it's one of the more substantial structures down there. For photographers, the way the light filters through the superstructure can be beautiful on a sunny day, especially around mid-morning. We'd suggest checking the tides; a slack tide makes for a much more relaxed exploration, though a gentle current often brings in more pelagics. Visibility here can be hit or miss, typical for Singapore, but when it's good, Ah Lam II really shines. It's an excellent dive for those who enjoy wreck penetration or just want to spend time observing the resident marine life.

Location
Southern Islands, Singapore, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
1.070000, 103.614300
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
27m

Wreck History - AH LAM II

Year Sunk
1992
Vessel Type
tugboat
Cause
collision

The sinking of the tugboat "AH LAM II" was a sudden and violent event in the bustling shipping lanes around Singapore. On January 28, 1992, the tug was towing the barge 'PU 1804' when the massive bulk carrier 'Bonito' made the dangerous decision to pass between the tug and its tow. This maneuver likely caused the towline to snap or foul, tripping the much smaller tug and capsizing it almost instantly, sending it to the seabed in one of the world's busiest maritime crossroads.

Today, the "AH LAM II" lies at a depth of 27 meters near Singapore's Southern Islands, offering a fascinating dive for advanced-certified divers. The visibility in this area can be challenging, which adds to the atmosphere and sense of discovery when the wreck emerges into view. The tug sits upright and is largely intact, providing a compact but compelling site to explore. It is now home to a variety of marine life, including soft corals, nudibranchs, and schooling fish, a poignant yet beautiful memorial to a maritime tragedy.

Marine Protected Area: Labrador Nature Reserve

Best Time to Dive in Southern Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Southern Islands occur in January, averaging 28.2°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.2°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.2°C (air: 26.0°C)
  • February: 28.2°C (air: 26.6°C)
  • March: 28.2°C (air: 27.1°C)
  • April: 28.2°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • May: 28.2°C (air: 27.9°C)
  • June: 28.2°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • July: 28.2°C (air: 27.5°C)
  • August: 28.2°C (air: 27.2°C)
  • September: 28.2°C (air: 27.2°C)
  • October: 28.2°C (air: 27.2°C)
  • November: 28.2°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • December: 28.2°C (air: 26.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Southern Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to AH LAM II

Marine Life in Southern Islands

Home to 284 recorded species including 179 reef fish, 46 hard corals, 17 seagrass & algae, 13 sharks & rays, 8 sea snails & nudibranchs, 6 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for AH LAM II

Based on average water temperature of 28.2°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