BANTEN - Southern Islands

The Banten wreck, down at 37 meters, is one of our favourites in the Southern Islands if you’re looking for a serious penetration dive. This motor vessel went down in 1980, and time’s really worked its magic on the structure. We love how the hull plates have buckled and torn, opening up all sorts of swim-throughs and gaps that weren’t there when she first sank. You’ll spend most of your bottom time exploring the engine room and cargo holds, where visibility can drop quickly if someone kicks up silt, so good buoyancy is key. Giant groupers and batfish school off the bow, and we often spot nurse sharks tucked away in the darker corners of the wreck. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs on the deck plating, too. This isn’t a site for beginners; we’d suggest divers have solid experience with deep dives and wreck penetration, and definitely bring a good torch. The currents here can be unpredictable, sometimes ripping, sometimes slack, so it’s always a bit of a gamble, but the reward is a genuinely atmospheric dive.

Location
Southern Islands, Singapore, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
0.897506, 103.622375
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
37m

Wreck History - BANTEN

Year Sunk
1980
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

Resting in the deep, busy waters off Singapore's Southern Islands, the MV Banten is a wreck shrouded in mystery. Little is known about this motor vessel or the circumstances that led to its sinking on March 21, 1980. Its final moments remain undocumented, leaving divers to piece together clues from the silent steel structure that now lies on the seabed.

At a depth of 37 meters, the Banten is a challenging dive reserved for experienced deep divers. The site is often subject to strong currents and variable visibility, typical of the Singapore Strait. The wreck itself is classified as a 'Dangerous Wreck,' indicating potential hazards such as sharp metal, collapsing structures, or entanglement risks. For those with the requisite training and experience, the Banten offers a rewarding exploration of a largely intact vessel, its decks and holds now colonized by marine life seeking shelter in the perpetual twilight of the deep.

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 BANTEN

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 BANTEN

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