ZAMRUD - Southern Islands

Okay, so the Zamrud. Forget what you think you know about Singapore diving. This isn't some manicured reef. This is a proper, historical wreck, and for us, it's easily a standout dive in the Southern Islands. You're looking at a 54-meter motor vessel, lying upright in a shallow 3 meters of water. The sheer size of it, so close to the surface, is what first hits you. The deck structure is still largely intact, and you can swim right over the cargo holds, imagining what it once carried. We love poking around the bow, where the anchor chain still drapes dramatically over the side. Sure, it’s a dangerous wreck, but that’s because she’s slowly collapsing, not because of currents. The real draw here is how utterly colonised it is. Giant barrel sponges burst from every surface. Look closely, and you’ll spot nudibranchs, crabs scuttling over the plating, and a surprising number of juvenile reef fish taking shelter in the shadowy crevices. We’ve had incredible encounters with schools of batfish here, circling the superstructure, and even a couple of turtles just cruising by. Our tip? Go at slack high tide. The visibility gets a bit better, and the light filtering through the shallow water makes the metal glow. It’s a photographer’s dream, and honestly, even just spending an hour exploring the nooks and crannies feels like stepping back in time. This site suits anyone keen on wreck exploration without the depth, offering a genuine sense of history and marine life intertwined.

Location: Southern Islands, Singapore, Southeast Asia
Coordinates: 1.103056, 103.716120
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 3m

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 ZAMRUD

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 ZAMRUD

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