PAC AQUARIUS - Southern Islands

Okay, so when people think Singapore diving, they usually picture the *other* Southern Islands, the ones with a beach club. But for us, the real action is further out, and the PAC AQUARIUS is a prime example of why. This isn't some tiny fishing boat; we’re talking a proper motor vessel, 154 metres long, lying flat at around 20 metres. Dropping onto the Aquarius is always a treat. The sheer scale is impressive, and even though it's been down a while, you can still make out the superstructure, some of the decks. We love picking a section and just slowly finning along, letting our eyes adjust to the shadows. Look closely, and you'll spot nudibranchs, usually some colourful flabellina, making their way across the hull. Small schools of batfish often hang out above the deeper sections, curious but keeping their distance. Our favourite part has to be exploring the more open sections of the holds, where light filters in and creates these eerie shafts, and you’ll often find some bigger snapper lurking. Visibility here can be a bit of a mixed bag, like most Singapore sites, but on a good day, it really comes alive. Go in the morning if you can, before the boat traffic gets too busy. This site suits divers who appreciate historical wrecks and aren't afraid of a bit of ambient light diving. It's not about big pelagics here; it's about the quiet exploration, the details on the wreck, and the resilient life that's made it home.

Location: Southern Islands, Singapore, Southeast Asia
Coordinates: 1.188617, 103.884450
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 20m

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to PAC AQUARIUS

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 PAC AQUARIUS

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