Nanshin Maru (Black Island Wreck)

Nanshin Maru (Black Island Wreck), Coron

Prepare to explore the captivating Nanshin Maru, often affectionately known as the "Black Island Wreck" or even the "Disney Wreck" by locals, due to its almost staged beauty and intact nature. This dive site offers a unique blend of history and vibrant marine life, making it a standout experience in Coron.

Dive Site Overview

Unlike many of Coron's famous WWII wrecks, the Nanshin Maru is distinctly not a casualty of wartime hostilities. This 50-meter civilian coastal tanker, approximately 834 gross tons, met its fate in a severe post-war typhoon, long after the fighting had ceased. It now rests fully upright on a bright sandy bottom, nestled beside the jagged limestone cliffs of Black Island, creating a picturesque backdrop for your dive.

We rate this dive site as intermediate in difficulty, primarily due to its depth. While the current is typically mild, good buoyancy control is always advised. The wreck starts at approximately 21 m and descends to a maximum depth of 32 m on the sandy seabed. Water temperatures in Coron generally range from a comfortable 28°C to 30°C year-round, with visibility often excellent, typically ranging from 15 m to 30 m, especially given its proximity to open ocean waters.

What Divers Will Find

The Nanshin Maru is widely regarded as a premier novice wreck, offering safe, ambient-lit exploration of its largely intact superstructure. It's also a superb choice for night dives and macro-photography, where you can truly appreciate the intricate details and nocturnal inhabitants.

As you explore this fascinating wreck and reef dive site, divers will find a thriving ecosystem. Keep an eye out for the striking Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) and the camouflaged Devil Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus). We often encounter schools of elegant Longfin Batfish (Platax teira) gracefully circling the wreck, alongside vibrant Six-banded Angelfish (Pomacanthus sexstriatus) and the distinctive Longface Emperor (Lethrinus olivaceus).

Beyond the listed species, the wreck is beautifully covered in both hard and soft corals, as well as black coral bushes, providing shelter for a diverse array of marine life. You might also spot trumpet fish, various groupers (some quite large), anemone-fishes, and numerous nudibranchs. Lucky divers have even reported sightings of ghost pipefish, seahorses, barracudas, fusiliers, triggerfish, clownfish, and occasionally even green turtles or hawksbill turtles.

Inside the wreck, the engine room still houses two boilers, though the engine itself was salvaged. The bow and stern masts remain intact, offering interesting subjects for exploration and photography.

Certification and Hazards

Due to the depth of the dive site, an Advanced Open Water certification is required to fully explore the Nanshin Maru. The primary hazard here is the depth itself, so careful dive planning and adherence to your certification limits are essential. We recommend divers maintain good buoyancy control, especially within the wreck's structure.