The Top 10 Wreck Dive Sites in Indonesia
Wreck diving holds a special allure for divers as it offers an unparalleled blend of natural beauty and historical significance. It provides a remarkable opportunity to not only explore the abundant marine life and coral reefs that have flourished upon the wreck, but also to immerse oneself in a living piece of history.
There are a multitude of wreck sites around the world that bear tremendous historical significance, such as the illustrious Titanic. But while these extraordinary sites undoubtedly harbor great mysteries, they often remain elusive to the majority of us mere mortals.
Luckily for us, Indonesia is a treasure trove of exciting wreck sites that awaits exploration, offering divers an abundance of excitement and adventure. What sets some of these wreck sites in Bali and other parts of Indonesia apart is the accessibility it affords to recreational divers holding either an Open Water or Advanced license, granting them the privilege to delve into these incredible underwater sites without needing to go down to depths of more than 30 meters or 98 feet.
As a maritime country with a rich trading history, Indonesia’s wreck sites are incredibly diverse and each with its own unique narrative. From the sunken warships of World War II to the remnants of ancient trading vessels, there is an exciting variety of wrecks to explore. As you descend into the depths, get ready to delve into a realm of another era, as if stepping into a time capsule, unraveling the secrets hidden beneath the waves.
Another remarkable aspect of wreck diving in Indonesia is that the country’s tropical climate results in many of these wrecks being adorned with vibrant corals and marine life, transforming them into thriving ecosystems that teem with biodiversity. As you navigate through the labyrinthine corridors and swim among the wreckage, you’ll find yourself immersed in a spectacle of colorful coral reefs, majestic sea creatures, and schools of tropical fish.
Now, let’s take a deep dive into the ten finest wreck sites that Indonesia has to offer, promising unforgettable adventures and a taste of underwater exploration like no other!
1. USAT Liberty Wreck in Tulamben, Bali
There are many incredible dive sites in Tulamben and its surrounding areas, but without doubt the USAT Liberty is the most popular. Regarded as one of the world’s most splendid & easily accessible wreck dives, the USAT Liberty is a WWII American cargo ship that sank right at the shore of Tulamben beach in 1942. This stunning wreck is only steps away from our resort and offers a stunning underwater spectacle with its vibrant corals and abundant marine life. Decades worth of coral has grown on the wreck, becoming home to a diverse marine life: Trevally, Leaf Scorpion, Frog fish, Pygmy Sea Horses, Giant Barracudas, Surgeonfish, Blacktip Reef Shark and if you’re lucky, even Eagle Ray.
2. Boga Wreck in Kubu, Bali
Just a 5 mins drive from our Tulamben resort, you can find another spectacular wreck dive. The Boga is a Dutch-built cargo ship previously used as a patrol vessel by the Indonesian Government. It was purposely sunk in 2011 to become an artificial reef, and since then it has become the habitat for many fish species. It is still mainly intact and the star of the show is definitely the steering wheel, but there are also statues, a VW car and other objects that have been sunk together with the boat, which only amplify the charm of this remarkable wreck site.
3. Anker Wreck in Menjangan, Bali
Just off the coast of Menjangan Island lies this mysterious 19th century wooden boat wreck, also known to locals as ‘Kapal Budak’ or slave ship. Believed to be the oldest shipwreck in Bali, the true story of Anker Wreck is a mystery. Some say it sank during WWI while others think it dates back to the Dutch colonial era, supposedly carrying Balinese slaves to Batavia (now Jakarta).
The name ‘Anker’ comes from the boat’s anchor that lies in 6 meters / 19 feet of water at the start of the reef wall. Here you may have the chance to see white tip sharks and barracudas. The majority of the wreck, however, is located in depths of up to 50 meters, making it an excellent deep dive site with good visibility and calm conditions. Divers have spotted artifacts from the boat’s cargo strewn across the wreck site and some parts of the boat are covered in Gorgonians.
If you are diving in Menjangan Island, don’t forget to check out the other amazing dive sites the island has to offer.
4. Mawali Wreck in Lembeh, North Sulawesi
The Mawali Wreck is a coral-covered Japanese WW2 cargo ship that lies in depths between 16 and 30 meters (52 – 98 feet). It is 90 meters long with recognizable features like the deck, cargo holds, and propeller. Coral encrustation throughout the wreck creates an exciting habitat for a diverse array of species, including nudibranchs, pygmy seahorses, batfish, snappers, sweetlips, fusiliers, scorpionfish, cuttlefish, barramundi, lionfish, pipefish, anemonefish, and even warty frogfish.
5. MV Boelongan Wreck in Mandeh, West Sumatra
The MV Boelongan was a 74-meter-long Dutch ship built in 1915 and sank during the WWII air raids by Japan in 1942. It lies in depths of 20 to 25 meters (65 to 82 feet) in Mandeh Bay.
This sunken ship site remains a sought-after gem for divers worldwide, who seek to explore the wreck and its inhabitants: Rabbitfish, Snapper, Lionfish, Bannerfish, and more. When exploring this dive site, consider hiring a guide to ensure a smooth experience, as the visibility may be affected by the muddy terrain.
6. Tabularasa Wreck in Pramuka Island, The Thousand Islands, Jakarta
The Tabularasa Wreck, once a training ship for Jakarta Tourism High School, now rests gracefully in the Pramuka waters since its sinking in 1995. It sank due to damage to the engine room of the ship’s hull. At a depth of around 27 meters, the bow of the ship faces Pramuka Island, nestled near mesmerizing coral reefs, while the stern lies at a depth of 35 meters, ideal depths for experienced divers to explore.
The wreck has become a vibrant sanctuary, adorned with a variety of hard coral, soft coral, black coral, and a diverse array of marine creatures. Picture this: schools of reef fish, like snapper, yellowtail fish, barracuda, and flag fish, gliding through the waters. And let’s not forget about the charming little critters, from crabs and flatworms to the vivid and lively sea bunny, adding bursts of color to the underwater landscape.
7. Indonor Wreck in Karimunjawa, Central Java
The Indonor wreck was a coal ship born from the collaboration between Indonesia and Norway. It sank during the 1960s in the picturesque Karimunjawa Islands of Indonesia, while en route from Palembang to Surabaya, carrying a precious cargo of coal. The ship gracefully spans approximately 100 meters in length, resting at a depth of 15 meters (49 feet). As you explore the exposed hull of the shipwreck, remnants of scattered coal still linger at depths of 14-17 meters (45-55 feet). There is a mesmerizing array of marine life living around the wreck, from schools of platax fish, stingrays, as well as snapper, fusilier, butterflyfish, cardinalfish, grouper, damselfish, anthias, triggerfish, gobies, moray eels, scorpionfish, blennies, and nudibranchs.
8. Sophie Rickmers Wreck in Weh Island, Aceh
Sophie Rickmers, a 134-meter German cargo ship, is believed to have carried precious cargo and antiques, like ceramics and tin, from Japan. Whether it is true or not, this captivating history makes it a treasure hunter’s favorite.
In 1940, its German crew deliberately sank the ship to evade takeover by the Netherlands, which was colonizing the region. Now resting at a depth of 50 – 68 meters (164 – 223 feet), the site is best reserved for experienced deep divers. It has become home to majestic giant groupers, giant morays, jacks, and the rare black-spot angelfish.
9. Molas Wreck in Bunaken, North Sulawesi
The Molas Shipwreck, a Dutch freighter from WWII, lies between 22 – 41 meters (72 – 134 feet) deep. It still has its propellers intact and its incredible structures are now home to a variety of marine life including snappers, batfish schools, occasional reef sharks, barracuda, nudibranchs and groupers.
10. Shinwa Maru Wreck in Manokwari, West Papua
Shinwa Maru, a majestic 120-meter Japanese cargo ship, met its fate when it was bombed on both starboard sides. It now rests at a depth of 16 to 35 meters (52 – 114 feet). The wreck holds fascinating artifacts like ammunition, cables, sake bottles, chopsticks, kitchenware, diving helmets, small tanks, and car batteries. Today, Jacks and various macro organisms have gracefully made this ship their home.
These sites have it all: Rich history, teeming marine life, and an immersive cultural experience that will leave you in awe. Exploring these wrecks will make you feel like you’re an archaeologist or an underwater Indiana Jones, delving into the fascinating tales and mysteries woven within the wreckage’s past. Moreover, the thrill of navigating through the intricate passages and chambers of the wreck is an almost surreal adventure, truly transporting divers to another realm.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your gear and prepare to set off on a remarkable underwater ‘archaeology’ adventure with our specially curated dive packages in Tulamben and Menjangan. Whether it is to see the legendary USAT Liberty Wreck in Tulamben or the mysterious Anker Wreck in Menjangan Island, you will surely leave with an unforgettable dive holiday.
