Cai Jun 3 - Southern Islands

Cai Jun 3 is a standout for wreck lovers, plain and simple. We love its character, largely because this isn't some pristine, intact vessel. It’s a dangerous wreck, yes, but that’s its charm. The debris field is expansive, scattered over 30 metres of seabed, and we find new bits every time. Visibility here can be a bit of a lottery, sometimes you get 5 metres, other days it stretches to 10 or 12. Go on a neap tide, you’ll thank us. We always look for the bow section, usually the most intact part, where schools of fusiliers often swirl. Keep an eye out for batfish too, they’re usually curious. This site really suits divers who appreciate a bit of mystery and enjoy sifting through history. It’s not a site for spotting megafauna, but the smaller critters, gobies and nudibranchs, are often tucked into crevices, making for some excellent macro photography if you have the patience. It’s a rewarding dive, even with the sometimes-murky conditions, especially when you consider you're diving a piece of Singapore’s maritime past.

Location
Southern Islands, Singapore, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
1.431966, 104.456550
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
30m

Wreck History - Cai Jun 3

Year Sunk
2017
Vessel Type
barge
Cause
unknown

Very little is known about the final moments of the Cai Jun 3, which sank in 2017 and now lies in the challenging waters of Singapore's Southern Islands. Classified by authorities as a "dangerous wreck," it rests at a depth of 30 meters, placing it in the realm of advanced divers. The name suggests it was a Chinese-registered vessel, possibly a barge or small cargo ship common in these busy shipping lanes, but its history remains a mystery.

Diving the Cai Jun 3 is an adventure reserved for the experienced. Singapore's typical low visibility and potentially strong currents demand skill and careful planning. The "dangerous" classification warns of potential hazards like sharp, twisted metal and entanglement risks from cables or rigging. For those prepared for the challenge, the wreck offers a relatively new and intact structure to explore, a ghostly silhouette emerging from the green haze that is slowly being claimed by the sea.

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 Cai Jun 3

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 Cai Jun 3

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