ASSIMI III - Southern Islands

Assimi III, for us, is hands down the best wreck dive in Singapore. It’s a proper ship, not just a collection of scattered metal, and its history adds a layer of intrigue. We love dropping down onto the massive tanker, its sheer scale impressive even after all these years underwater. You can really feel the cold thermocline at 20-25 meters on the descent, a stark contrast to the warmer surface, before the wreck gradually emerges from the gloom. The fire in the engine room back in '68 left a dramatic mark, and exploring that area is our favourite part. It’s completely stripped, open to the elements, and light filters through in eerie shafts. We’ve found huge schools of fusiliers here, so thick they almost block out the light, darting around the superstructure. Look out for the resident batfish and emperor snappers, often lurking in the deeper, darker sections. Be mindful of the currents; they can pick up quickly, especially around the bow and stern, so good buoyancy control is key. This is a dive for experienced wreck enthusiasts who appreciate a bit of mystery and a tangible piece of maritime history.

Location
Southern Islands, Singapore, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
1.060025, 104.205200
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
33m

Wreck History - ASSIMI III

Year Sunk
1968
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
fire

The ASSIMI III was a tanker built in 1955 at the Framnaes Mekaniske Verksted in Sandefjord, Norway, a shipyard known for its robust whaling ships and tankers. For thirteen years, she served her commercial duties, eventually coming under the ownership of the St. Grigorusa Maritime Co. In April 1968, while on a passage from Tandjung Uban, Indonesia, to Saigon, Vietnam, disaster struck. A fire erupted in the engine room, quickly growing beyond the crew's control.

Despite efforts to extinguish the blaze, the ship was lost and sank on April 29, 1968. Today, the ASSIMI III rests at a depth of 33 meters in the busy shipping lanes south of Singapore. Dives on this wreck are subject to strong currents and variable visibility, making it a challenging but rewarding experience for advanced divers. The vessel is largely intact, offering opportunities for penetration for those with the proper training, and its structure has become an artificial reef for a variety of local marine species.

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 ASSIMI III

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 ASSIMI III

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