PETAGAS - Southern Islands

Petagas is a site we keep coming back to when we’re in the Southern Islands. It’s a non-propelled cutter suction dredger, which sounds a bit dry, but she went down in 1981 and has developed into a surprisingly lively artificial reef. At just 15 metres, it’s a comfortable depth for most divers. We love exploring the huge cutting head at the bow, often finding schooling batfish circling the structure. Visibility can be hit or miss, typical for Singapore, but on a good day, the light penetrates right through the superstructure. Our favourite part is navigating the internal passages – just watch your buoyancy and fin kicks. The hull is covered in colourful encrusting corals and sponges, a real contrast to the usual concrete structures around here. Look closely, and you’ll spot nudibranchs, crabs tucked into crevices, and sometimes a bamboo shark resting on the sand nearby. It’s a proper wreck dive without the extreme depths, perfect for honing your wreck penetration skills or just enjoying a bustling artificial reef.

Location
Southern Islands, Singapore, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
1.217222, 103.744160
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 PETAGAS

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 PETAGAS

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