BLISSFUL REEFER (POSSIBLY) - Southern Islands

We’re not going to lie, the name alone makes us smile. Blissful Reefer (Possibly) is one of those Singapore wrecks that always throws up a surprise. It’s a carrier vessel, went down in 2001 after a run-in with a dredger, and now sits upright at 27 metres. For us, it’s the sheer scale of the thing that gets you, an 83-metre long hull looming out of the murk. We love the way the light filters down through the superstructure, catching the schools of fusiliers that hang around the stern. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, sometimes you get 8 metres, other days it’s closer to 3. But that just adds to the adventure. Our favourite part is dropping onto the bow, exploring the deck equipment, and then drifting along the port side. Look closely and you’ll find plenty of nudibranchs, often some pretty decent sized groupers tucked into the shadows, and we’ve even spotted a turtle or two cruising past. It’s a challenging dive, currents can pick up, so it's best for experienced wreck divers comfortable with limited visibility. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve genuinely explored something.

Location
Southern Islands, Singapore, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
1.466500, 104.409500
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
27m

Wreck History - BLISSFUL REEFER (POSSIBLY)

Year Sunk
2001
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
collision
Tonnage
1,599 GRT

The Blissful Reefer was a refrigerated cargo ship built in 1962 which, after a 39-year career sailing under various flags and names, met its end in the congested waters off Singapore. On November 21, 2001, the vessel was involved in a serious collision with a dredger and sank, becoming another silent resident of the seafloor in one of the world's busiest maritime crossroads.

This particular site, marked as a possible location for the Blissful Reefer, lies slightly deeper than other charted remains of the vessel. It is believed to be a large, distinct section of the wreck, perhaps the bow or stern, which broke away during the sinking or settled further down the seabed slope. Divers visiting this location explore the same maritime tragedy but from a different perspective. The structure here offers a unique profile, with different features and marine life colonization, providing an alternative and intriguing dive on one of Singapore's more recent and substantial shipwrecks.

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 BLISSFUL REEFER (POSSIBLY)

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 BLISSFUL REEFER (POSSIBLY)

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