KYOKUUN MARU (PROBABLY) - Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham
Diving the Kyokuun Maru, or what we’re pretty sure is the Kyokuun Maru, offers a tangible piece of history just off Cu Lao Cham. It’s a shallow wreck, sitting at just 10 meters, so you get plenty of bottom time to really explore. We love picking out the twisted metal plates and imagining the sheer force that brought this tanker down in 1945. What makes it special is how the sea has reclaimed it. Schools of fusiliers often swirl around the main structure, and we’ve spotted moray eels peeking out from shadowed compartments. The visibility here can vary, but on a good day, the sunlight filters through the water beautifully, illuminating the wreck in a hazy green glow. It’s not a massive wreck, but there’s enough here for a solid dive, especially if you take your time to peer into every crevice. We’d suggest going early in the morning to catch the best light and avoid any potential boat traffic. It’s an easy dive, perfect for those new to wreck diving, or anyone who enjoys the quiet contemplation of history beneath the waves.
- Location
- Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham, Vietnam, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 14.284972, 109.186300
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 10m
Best Time to Dive in Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham
The warmest water temperatures in Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham occur in August, averaging 30.7°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 24.1°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 24.1°C
- February: 24.3°C
- March: 25.7°C
- April: 27.0°C
- May: 28.8°C
- June: 30.3°C
- July: 30.2°C
- August: 30.7°C
- September: 30.3°C
- October: 29.2°C
- November: 27.3°C
- December: 25.4°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham
- 90208 - 51m (wreck)
- BRIGHT STAR - 5m (wreck)
- Cham Island - 8m-33m
- Cu Lao Cham
- CULLONG 115 - 55m (wreck)
- DNa 37068 TS - 32m (wreck)
- DNA 46182 TS - 25m (wreck)
- ENKI MARU - 40m (wreck)
- MINH KHAI 126 - 41m (wreck)
- NAM SANH - 1m (wreck)
- OAKLAND - 0m (wreck)
- SAN LUIS MARU (PROBABLY) - 2m (wreck)
- SINAIA - 9m (wreck)
- Snorkeling spot Hon Tai
- SOUN MARU (POSSIBLY) - 3m (wreck)
Nearest Dive Centres to KYOKUUN MARU (PROBABLY)
- Blue Coral Diving - ["PADI"]
Marine Life in Hoi An & Cu Lao Cham
Home to 41 recorded species including 28 reef fish, 7 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 sharks & rays, 2 other, 1 crabs & lobsters.
Notable Species
- Flagfin Mojarra (Gerres filamentosus) - Reef Fish
- Black Spinecheek Gudgeon (Eleotris melanosoma) - Reef Fish
- Blackfinned triplespine (Triacanthus biaculeatus) - Reef Fish
- Silver Sillago (Sillago sihama) - Reef Fish
- Black-tipped Silver-biddy (Gerres oyena) - Reef Fish
- Sharpbelly (Hemiculter leucisculus) - Reef Fish
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Coral Cerith (Cerithium coralium) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- Common delphinula (Angaria delphinus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- marbled spiny eel (Mastacembelus armatus) - Reef Fish
- honeycomb stingray (Himantura uarnak) - Sharks & Rays
- Bengal mudeel (Ophisternon bengalense) - Reef Fish
- Fanray (Platyrhina sinensis) - Sharks & Rays
- China Lobster (Metanephrops sinensis) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Bronze featherback (Notopterus notopterus) - Reef Fish
- Golden Flathead Goby (Glossogobius aureus) - Reef Fish
- Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) - Reef Fish
- Butterfish (Scatophagus argus) - Reef Fish
- Indo-pacific tropical sand goby (Favonigobius reichei) - Reef Fish
- Deep Flounder (Pseudorhombus elevatus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for KYOKUUN MARU (PROBABLY)
Based on average water temperature of 27.8°C, currents 8 cm/s.
- 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