Wreck Diving off Kuching
Just days after Pearl Harbor attack, Japan launched a massive invasion in South East Asia and Kuching was one of its main target for control over Borneo.
News of the fleet sailing to Kuching was received by America’s allies, the Dutch and with their submarine division in Terakan, they set course to intercept. It was on Christmas eve of 1941 when it all happenned.
Today, the wrecks lie at the bottom of South China Sea just off the coast of Kuching. Anglers and recreational scuba divers frequent these sites during the dive season.
The diving season in Kuching starts annually around the month of April and end somewhere in September/October.
Katori Maru – WWII Wreck Dive
Katori Maru is broken into separate parts and spread over a wide area with only the bow section standing as the tallest bit.
Depth – Bottom 22m
Diver Rating – Advanced Open Water
Interest – Historical wreck, barracuda, yellowtail snapper, teira batfish, black coral, sun coral, nudibranch and grouper.
Hazard – Strong current and low visibility
Getting there – From Santubong with fast boat is 1hr 15mins.
Hiyoshi Maru – WWII Wreck Dive
The whole structure of this wreck is still intact. Under good visibility condition, it can be seen from the surface. Diving around the wreck is always fun especially when you navigate from one section to another with the company of Teira batfish while fusiliers getting in your way. There are many marine life living in this 130m length and 30m wide wreck.
Depth – 21m bottom – 16m deck
Diver Rating – Advanced Open Water
Interest – Historical wreck. Whole structure still intact. Teira batfish, yellowtail snapper, fusilier, lobster, turtle, baraccuda, rabbitfish and stingray.
Hazard – Strong current and low visibility
Getting there – From Santubong with fast boat is 1hr 15mins.
Sagiri – WWII Wreck Dive (Destroyer)
Recently found wreck with most of the feature of a destroyer is still intact. On the deck, the guns and ammunition can still be seen though corals have covered most of the parts. A giant grouper is occasionally spotted in the haul section.
Depth -26m
Diver Rating – Advanced Open Water
Interest – Historical wreck, canon, guns and ammunition
Hazard – Strong current and low visibility
Getting there – From Santubong with fast boat is 1hr 30mins.
China Wreck – Artificial wreck
Maximum Depth: 25m
Diver Rating: Advanced Open Water
Interest: Artificial wreck, grouper and snapper
Hazard: Strong current and low visibility
Getting there – From Santubong with fast boat is 1hr 30mins.
Barge Wreck – Commercial ship
Maximum Depth: 30m
Diver Rating: Advanced Open Water
Interest: Grouper and snapper
Hazard: Strong current and low visibility
Getting there – From Santubong with fast boat is 1hr 30mins.
All photos courtesy of Ernest Teo
Address:
Santubong,
Kuching
