ASOGAWA MARU (POSSIBLY) - Nha Trang

The *Asogawa Maru* (or what we strongly suspect is her) lies on a sandy bottom at 26 metres, and for Nha Trang, she’s a standout. This isn't one of those wrecks picked clean by time; she still holds her shape, a proper skeleton of a ship. We love dropping down and watching her emerge from the blue, a dark silhouette slowly taking on detail: the massive propeller, the remains of the superstructure, the sheer scale of it all. Exploring the *Asogawa Maru* feels like stepping back into a moment in time. There’s a quiet solemnity to it. You can swim through the holds, imagining cargo long gone, and poke around the engine room, which is still remarkably intact. Schools of fusiliers often swirl around the masts, and we’ve seen some seriously chunky groupers lurking in the deeper shadows. Keep an eye out for the resident moray eels peeking from every crevice. Our top tip? Go early. You might just have her all to yourself, and the visibility tends to be at its best before the day boats arrive.

Location
Nha Trang, Vietnam, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
12.534001, 109.378716
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
26m

Wreck History - ASOGAWA MARU (POSSIBLY)

Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
unknown

Shrouded in mystery, the wreck known as the Asogawa Maru is a highlight of the dive scene in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Its true identity and the story of how it sank are lost to time, adding a layer of intrigue to the dive. The name itself is tentative, a placeholder for a vessel whose history is yet to be uncovered. What is known is that this former Japanese merchant vessel now rests on a sandy bottom, waiting to be explored.

Located at a depth of 26 meters, the Asogawa Maru is a perfect dive for advanced open water certified divers. The wreck is classified as non-dangerous, suggesting its structure is relatively stable and free of major entanglement hazards. Divers can expect to find a vessel that has transformed into a vibrant artificial reef, attracting large schools of fish, moray eels, and a variety of macro life hiding in its metallic shell. Exploring this enigmatic wreck offers a thrilling sense of discovery for every diver who descends upon it.

Marine Protected Area: Nha Phu-Hon Heo

Best Time to Dive in Nha Trang

The warmest water temperatures in Nha Trang occur in May, averaging 30.5°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 25.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 25.4°C
  • February: 25.8°C
  • March: 27.4°C
  • April: 29.5°C
  • May: 30.5°C
  • June: 30.2°C
  • July: 29.7°C
  • August: 29.7°C
  • September: 30.3°C
  • October: 30.1°C
  • November: 28.1°C
  • December: 26.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Nha Trang

Nearest Dive Centres to ASOGAWA MARU (POSSIBLY)

Marine Life in Nha Trang

Home to 182 recorded species including 175 reef fish, 6 seagrass & algae, 1 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ASOGAWA MARU (POSSIBLY)

Based on average water temperature of 28.6°C, currents 3 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°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