St. Christopher Wreck

St. Christopher Wreck, Puerto Galera

The St. Christopher Wreck dive site offers an engaging experience for divers exploring the underwater world of Puerto Galera. This wooden vessel was intentionally sunk in 1995 as part of the Sabang Bay artificial-reef program, creating a vibrant habitat for diverse marine life.

Dive Site Overview

Unlike its steel counterpart, the Alma Jane, the St. Christopher is a wooden cargo vessel that has significantly collapsed over years of immersion, resting on a sloping sandy bottom. Divers will find a labyrinth of rotting timber that now serves as a fascinating structure, attracting a variety of cryptic macro life. The low, broken profile and its accessible depth make it an ideal location for macro photography enthusiasts. We will admire the disintegrating hull from the outside, as penetration is not recommended due to its fragile state and sharp metal hazards.

What to Expect

As an intermediate dive site, the St. Christopher Wreck provides a rewarding experience for those with good buoyancy control. The wreck sits at a maximum depth of approximately 24 m, with depths commonly ranging between 20 m and 24 m. The currents are generally mild, making for a comfortable exploration of the site. Divers can expect to spend their time patiently searching among the wreckage and surrounding sandy bottom for well-camouflaged creatures.

Marine Life

The St. Christopher Wreck is a haven for macro life, offering incredible opportunities for observation and photography. Divers will often encounter the expertly camouflaged Reef Stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) and the uniquely patterned Painted Frogfish (Antennarius pictus). Keep a keen eye out for the vibrant Blood (Fire) Shrimp (Lysmata debelius) and various species of Shrimp Goby (Amblyeleotris sp.). We also frequently spot impressive Giant Morays (Gymnothorax javanicus) residing within the wreck's structure. Additionally, the area is known to host other fascinating critters such as nudibranchs, sea moths, cuttlefish, and lizardfish.

Diving Conditions

• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Depth: Divers will explore depths ranging from 20 m to 24 m (average depth approximately 22 m).
• Current: Typically mild, though we recommend good buoyancy control.
• Water Temperature: The water temperature generally ranges from 26°C to 29°C, offering comfortable diving conditions year-round.
• Site Types: Wreck, reef, muck

Certification and Safety

To dive the St. Christopher Wreck, an Open Water certification is sufficient, though an Advanced Open Water certification is recommended to fully enjoy the site's deeper sections and gain better control for macro observation. We advise divers to be mindful of potential hazards, particularly sharp metal components from the disintegrating wreck. Always follow your instructor's guidance and maintain a safe distance from fragile or unstable parts of the wreck.