IRIAN SARMI - Southern Islands

Irian Sarmi is one of our favourites in the Southern Islands, a proper old wreck that always gives you something new to look at. We love the way the light filters down through the murky green, illuminating different sections of the hull as you circle it. The ship, a 62-meter motor vessel that went down in '68 after taking on water, sits upright at 15 metres, so it’s a good easy dive for anyone comfortable with Singapore’s often lower visibility. You’ll spend most of your time exploring the deck and superstructure, which is now completely encrusted. Look closely and you’ll find nudibranchs, often some vibrant colourful ones, and we’ve seen plenty of large groupers sheltering in the deeper holds. Keep an eye out for resident batfish, they’re usually swirling around the masts. The currents here can pick up, so we’d suggest timing your dive for slack tide if you want a more relaxed exploration. It’s a surprisingly intact wreck for its age and location, offering a real sense of history beneath the waves.

Location
Southern Islands, Singapore, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
1.213889, 103.831110
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15m

Marine Protected Area: Labrador Nature Reserve

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 IRIAN SARMI

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 IRIAN SARMI

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