Wreck Diving Indonesia

Indonesia is renowned among divers for its incredible coral reefs and diverse underwater ecosystems, and the wreck diving in Indonesia is equally phenomenal, with countless shipwrecks to discover on the ocean floor. With the highest marine biodiversity in the world, it’s a dream destination for divers who are looking to explore both its vibrant reefs and mysterious shipwrecks.

As the world's shipping centre, it's no surprise that shipwrecks are scattered all around Indonesia's 17,508 islands, with a mixture of Japanese, American and Portuguese vessels lying on the seabed. However, when it comes to wreck diving in Indonesia, a few locations stand out from the crowd, with Bali and North Sulawesi a couple of our favourites.

Bali

Diving the USAT Liberty wreck off the coast of Tulamben is a must for anyone visiting the island paradise of Bali. The USAT Liberty, a former World War II US Army Transport Ship, lies off the shore of Tulamben on Bali's east coast. The 384ft vessel was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in January 1942 and steered onto the beach by its captain. It remained there for 21 years until a volcanic eruption pushed the ship back into the ocean where it now sits roughly 25 metres from the shore. The wreck has several escape holes, a cannon and a fun swim through into the cargo hold. It's dominated by soft corals and at its shallowest part, divers often encounter sting rays, turtles, nudibranchs and even pygmy seahorses. The highest point of the wreck sits five metres below the water, and the lowest point rests 30 metres deep.

Another one of Bali's treasures is the 'Japanese Wreck' in Lipah Bay. Much of the wreck remains a mystery, but evidence points towards it being a Japanese tug boat. The 66ft vessel is accessible from the shore, lying between six and 12 metres deep. It's a great choice for anyone wreck diving in Indonesia, but despite its shallow depth, it's not the best choice for beginners. The Japanese Wreck lies on a sandy silty bottom, which can easily be stirred up if you don't have good buoyancy control. The ship's propeller is decorated with sponges and large gorgonian fans, making it a good spot for macro photographers looking to catch a glimpse of a pygmy seahorse.

North Sulawesi

North Sulawesi is another wonderful spot in Indonesia for wreck diving. The 'Mawali Wreck' is the area's most famous wreck dive and known for hosting several unusual species. It's not uncommon to spot pygmy seahorses, lionfish, batfish, schools of barracuda and glassfish, as well as cuttlefish. The World War II Japanese freighter sits at a depth between 15 and 30 metres, making it better suited for those with advanced open water certifications or nitrox certified divers.

With an abundance of wrecks, there's no question that Indonesia is a top destination for wreck diving. We are big fans of Indonesia at Original Diving, and our expert team can help you to create a tailor-made itinerary for your next adventure.

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Emily C and Eleanor are our 'Wreck Diving Indonesia' experts and as seasoned travellers they have the inside track on the most memorable adventures.

Call us on 1-800-652-1972