BURUNG 3003
Why dive here
With 263+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue-spotted stingrays, dugongs, giant moray eels, seahorses and sea turtles - BURUNG 3003 offers some of Southern Islands's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 28-31°C, warmest May, June, November.
Burung 3003, for us, is a gritty Singapore dive, a proper wreck experience close to home. Forget your colourful reefs; this is about penetration, exploring the steel skeleton of a barge that went aground back in '76. We love tracing the outline of the hull, imagining the storms that dragged her here. You’ll find a good spread of resident critters: crabs scuttling in the crevices, moray eels peeking out from the darker corners, and sometimes, a school of barracuda hanging just off the wreck, eyeing you with mild interest. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, as it often is in these waters, but on a good day, the light filtering through the rusted metal is pretty dramatic. It’s definitely a site for those who appreciate the history and structure of a wreck, divers comfortable with overhead environments and keen on seeking out the smaller, shyer residents. Our best advice? Go on a slack tide and bring a good torch; there’s plenty to illuminate.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
BURUNG 3003 Wreck History
Year Sunk
1976
Vessel Type
barge
Cause
grounding
The story of the BURUNG 3003 is a classic tale of nature's power. In December 1976, this unassuming barge was caught in a fierce storm and driven hard aground on Karimun Island, Indonesia, just a stone's throw from Singapore. The vessel was heavily damaged and ultimately abandoned, left to the elements. Today, its remains lie in the shallows, a testament to the unforgiving sea.
With a depth of zero meters, the wreck of the BURUNG 3003 breaks the surface, making it an incredibly accessible site for snorkelers and novice divers. Its exposed hull and superstructure offer a dramatic visual against the tropical backdrop of the Southern Islands. Divers can explore the wreckage and the marine life that has begun to colonize it, turning this industrial casualty into a fledgling artificial reef. It's a stark, fascinating dive that highlights the dramatic end of a vessel's life.
Reviews for BURUNG 3003
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for BURUNG 3003
BURUNG 3003 Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for BURUNG 3003, 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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