BLISSFUL REEFER
Why dive here
With 263+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue-spotted stingrays, dugongs, giant moray eels, seahorses and sea turtles - BLISSFUL REEFER offers some of Southern Islands's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 28-31°C, warmest May, June, November.
Blissful Reefer, down at 24 metres, feels like a proper deep dive, especially for Singapore. This isn’t some artificial reef; it’s a genuine wreck with a bit of history, an old carrier sunk after a collision back in 2001. We love dropping down onto the main deck, where you can still make out the superstructure – the bridge area is always our first stop. The current around Blissful Reefer can be a bit tricky, so we always plan our dive for slack tide. That’s when you get the best chance to really take in the scale of the 83-metre vessel. Visibility isn’t always phenomenal, but when it’s good, you can see the stern from the bow, and that’s a real treat. You’ll find plenty of life here. Giant groupers often hang out in the deeper recesses, and schools of barracuda frequently circle overhead, catching the light. Look closer at the deck plating and you’ll spot nudibranchs, flatworms, and even the occasional small cuttlefish camouflaged against the rust. Penetration isn’t really an option given its ‘dangerous wreck’ classification, but there’s enough to explore on the exterior and through the larger openings to keep even experienced wreck divers busy for the whole bottom time. It’s a great site for photographers who enjoy the challenge of shooting in lower light, capturing the dramatic silhouettes of the wreck.
Typical BLISSFUL REEFER Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 24m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
BLISSFUL REEFER Wreck History
Year Sunk
2001
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
collision
Tonnage
1,599 GRT
Launched in 1962, the vessel that would become the Blissful Reefer had a long and varied career. For nearly four decades, this refrigerated cargo ship, or 'reefer', plied the world's oceans under a succession of different names, including Risa Paula and Kingbon 1. These workhorse vessels are the lifeblood of global trade, carrying perishable goods in their temperature-controlled holds. By 2001, sailing for the Brilliant Reefer Line of Panama, the ship was a veteran of the seas, nearing the end of its service life.
Its long journey came to an abrupt end on November 21, 2001. While navigating the famously busy shipping lanes near Singapore's Southern Islands, the Blissful Reefer collided with a suction hopper dredger. The damage was fatal, and the aging cargo ship sank to the seabed. For divers, the Blissful Reefer offers a chance to explore a complete, modern shipwreck. Resting at a moderate depth of 24 meters, it is accessible to many certified divers. Exploring its decks, cargo holds, and superstructure provides a fascinating look at the anatomy of a 20th-century merchant vessel, now being slowly reclaimed by the sea.
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Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BLISSFUL REEFER
BLISSFUL REEFER Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BLISSFUL REEFER, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (1.18, 103.96) (8km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
86°F · Range: 29.5–31.1°C
Air Temperature
27°C
81°F
Wind Speed
4.07 m/s
7.9 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1009.8 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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