HMS GIANG BEE (PROBABLY) - Southern Islands

Dropping onto the HMS Giang Bee feels like stepping back into a specific, grim moment in history. This isn't a colourful reef dive, it’s a sombre, powerful wreck. We’re talking about a steamship bombed by the Japanese in 1942, lying upright at 25m, its masts still reaching skyward from the seabed. Our favourite part is the sheer scale, especially considering it’s Singapore. The 82-meter length means there's a lot to explore; swim-throughs are abundant where bulkheads have collapsed, opening up passageways. Inside, the light filters eerily, illuminating schools of fusiliers darting between the metal ribs. Look closely, and you’ll spot scorpionfish camouflaged on the deck plates and nudibranchs grazing on the encrusting sponges. Visibility can be a bit hit or miss, typical for Singapore, but on a good day, the outline of the entire ship emerges from the gloom. It’s a dive for those who appreciate maritime history and the beauty of decay, rather than pristine corals. We’d suggest going early on a weekday to avoid any boat traffic.

Location: Southern Islands, Singapore, Southeast Asia
Coordinates: 0.330822, 104.254906
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 25m

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to HMS GIANG BEE (PROBABLY)

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

Species code: Ea (Enhalus acoroides) - Seagrass & Algae
thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
halodule (Halodule uninervis) - Seagrass & Algae
cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
Species code: Si (Syringodium isoetifolium) - Seagrass & Algae
Brain coral (Platygyra sinensis) - Hard Corals
Staghorn coral (Acropora millepora) - Hard Corals
Staghorn coral (Acropora hyacinthus) - Hard Corals
Fluorescence grass coral (Galaxea fascicularis) - Hard Corals
Staghorn coral (Acropora valida) - Hard Corals
Honeycomb coral (Favites abdita) - Hard Corals
Galaxea coral (Galaxea astreata) - Hard Corals
Species code: Tc (Thalassodendron ciliatum) - Seagrass & Algae
Bristle-tailed Leatherjacket (Acreichthys tomentosus) - Reef Fish
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Butterfish (Scatophagus argus) - Reef Fish
Stony coral (Echinopora lamellosa) - Hard Corals
Staghorn coral (Acropora nasuta) - Hard Corals
Savigny's Brittle Star (Ophiactis savignyi)

Recommended Packing List for HMS GIANG BEE (PROBABLY)

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