Wreck diving hotspots

wreck diving Asia

With so much coastline and so many seas, it is no wonder that South-east Asia has some of the best wreck diving in the world.

Many of the region's wrecks are not only great for their level of preservation & fascinating history, but also for the amount of marine life that now calls them home.

So if you want to experience some world-class wreck diving, click on a hotspot below...



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Coron Bay

During September 1944, an American reconnaissance mission discovered a camouflaged fleet of Japanese warships. They duly attacked, destroying 24 ships. 12 of these wrecks can be dived, making Coron Bay one, if not the top wreck diving destination in the world.

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Coron Bay wreck diving Philippines

John Hernandez


Rabaul

Wreck diving Rabaul PNG

The scene of intense fighting during WWII, Papua New Guinea is littered with world-class wrecks. For wreck-heads though, Rabaul is simply a must. A former naval base for the Japanase in WWII, the region is now home to numerous shipwrecks with a fascinating history, including a couple of great plane wrecks.

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Madang

Also in PNG, Madang has some great wreck diving. The Mitchell Bomber is an excellent example of a WWII plane wreck, while nearby, the USS Boston and Coral Queen are also fantastic wreck dives. A night dive on the Coral Queen is a dive with a difference, with millions of Flashlight Fish lighting up the water with their impressive show of bio-luminescence. 

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Wreck diving Madang PNG

Tulamben

Wreck diving Tulamben Bali

Tara North

Tulamben’s USS Liberty Wreck was dumped on Tulamben beach after being damaged by enemy torpedo’s in 1994. There it lay until 1963, when the Gunung Agung volcano, which towers over the area erupted. The force of the eruption picked up the wreck and moved it a few metres out to sea - creating a world-class wreck-shore dive teeming with life.

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Pattaya

Pattaya, in the north of the Gulf of Thailand, is the country's top spot for wreck diving. A number of wrecks are found in the area, the largest of which are a the Hardeep, an Indonesian Freighter that found a watery grave in 1942; and the Bremen, a 300ft wreck that provides a refuge for plenty of marine life.

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Wreck diving Pattaya Thailand

Subic Bay

Wreck diving Subic Bay Philippines

Pacific Klaus

A former US military base that was off limits to divers until the early 1990's, the Subic bay area is littered with Shipwrecks - a tribute to its history as a deep water harbour and strategic naval base. In addition to WWII wrecks, the El Capitan is an old Spanish wreck that is an excellent dive. To the north, La Union is also known for good wreck diving.

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Rabaul

While there are many WWII wrecks dotted around PNG, the Rabaul area undoubtedly has the most.

Situated on the eastern tip of New Britain, Rabaul is a large natural harbour that was the main naval base of the Japanese during the war. The area is also a very active volcanic region, sitting between 3 active volcanoes.

Bali

Possibly Indonesia's most well known tourist destination, the diving in Bali is also excellent.

Many divers head to Tulamben on Bali's eastern coast, home of the USS Liberty wreck.

To the south of Bali lie the islands of Nusa Penida, Lembongan and Ceningan, where Manta Rays and Mola Mola can be seen in season.

Cheapest places to dive in Asia

Do you want to do some great diving but don't have much money to spare? Don't despair!

Asia is still one of the cheapest places in the world to dive. In the right place, just a few dollars can be your ticket to a really cheap diving trip.

To point you in the right direction, our guide will talk you through a few of the best dive destinations in Asia for those on a shoe-string budget...

Tioman & Aur

Around 40km off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, not far from Singapore is the picturesque island of Tioman.

A popular holiday resort for Malaysians & Singaporeans, the steep-sided jungle clad slopes of the island rise straight out the water and smaller islets dot the coastline, making for a spectacular tropical dive spot.

A little to the south is the tiny island of Aur, which while difficult to reach, has good diving.