BeginnerWreck
Upside Down LCU
Subic Bay
Difficulty
DifficultyInformation under review
Check the source context before using these values to plan a dive.
One source says both things. It reports this value and also contradicts it.
Contrary evidence
AOW/Deep
Read source context
Mangos Dive Center lists "Upside Down "Deep" LCU" as "AOW/Deep", not just "advanced". AOW (Advanced Open Water) is generally considered an intermediate certification, while Deep Diver is a specialty, not a general difficulty rating. The claim of "advanced" is too broad and doesn't align with the specific certification levels mentioned.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T11:32:31.091Z
Same source as the recorded value
advanced
Read source context
Mangos Dive Center explicitly lists the Upside Down "Deep" LCU as "AOW/Deep." AOW (Advanced Open Water) is considered an intermediate certification, while Deep Diver is a specialty. Therefore, simply stating "advanced" is too broad and does not align with the specific certification levels listed.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T11:34:34.341Z
Same source as the recorded value
No alternative value was recorded
Mangos Dive Center explicitly lists the Upside Down 'Deep' LCU as 'AOW/Deep,' indicating both Advanced Open Water and Deep Diver certifications.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T11:48:57.709Z
Same source as the recorded value
No alternative value was recorded
Mangos Dive Center states the Upside Down 'Deep' LCU is listed as 'AOW/Deep.' AOW (Advanced Open Water) is considered intermediate, while Deep Diver is a specialty. Therefore, 'advanced' is too broad.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T11:48:57.709Z
Same source as the recorded value
The refutation explicitly states that Mangos Dive Center lists 'AOW/Deep', directly supporting the original claim.
Mangos Dive Center explicitly lists the Upside Down 'Deep' LCU as 'AOW/Deep,' indicating both Advanced Open Water and Deep Diver certifications.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
Same source as the recorded value
The refutation claims that 'AOW/Deep' indicates both certifications, which directly supports the original claim rather than refuting it.
Mangos Dive Center explicitly lists the Upside Down 'Deep' LCU as 'AOW/Deep,' indicating both Advanced Open Water and Deep Diver certifications.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
Same source as the recorded value
The refutation claims 'AOW/Deep' indicates both certifications, which directly supports the original claim rather than refuting it.
Read source context
Mangos Dive Center states the Upside Down 'Deep' LCU is listed as 'AOW/Deep.' AOW (Advanced Open Water) is considered intermediate, while Deep Diver is a separate, more advanced certification. The refutation's wording implies that 'AOW/Deep' is a singular certification, but it denotes two distinct certifications.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
Same source as the recorded value
Difficulty level
Depth
Minimum depthInformation under review
Contrary evidence
33
Scubaholics Subic lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. Other sources state 36 meters. This suggests 33 meters is the start of a range, not necessarily a standalone minimum.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T11:34:34.341Z
No alternative value was recorded
Scubaholics Subic explicitly lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. This shows that 33 meters is the start of a depth range, not necessarily a standalone minimum.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T11:48:57.709Z
The refutation claims 33 meters is the start of a range, not a sole depth, which supports the original claim of '33' as depthMin rather than refuting it as inconsistent.
Scubaholics Subic explicitly lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. This shows that 33 meters is the start of a depth range, not necessarily a standalone depth as the refutation implies.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
The refutation claims 33 meters is the start of a range, not a sole depth, which supports the original claim of '33' as depthMin rather than refuting it as inconsistent.
Scubaholics Subic explicitly lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. This shows that 33 meters is the start of a depth range, not necessarily a standalone depth as the refutation implies.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
Maximum depthInformation under review
Recorded value
36
Supported by: Scuba Diving in Subic Bay Philippines
Contrary evidence
36
Scubaholics Subic lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. Other sources state 36 meters. This suggests 36 meters is the end of a range, not necessarily a standalone maximum.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T11:34:34.341Z
No alternative value was recorded
Scubaholics Subic explicitly lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. This shows that 36 meters is the end of a depth range, not necessarily a standalone maximum.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T11:48:57.709Z
The refutation claims 36 meters is the end of a range, not a sole depth, which supports the original claim of '36' as depthMax rather than refuting it as inconsistent.
Scubaholics Subic explicitly lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. This shows that 36 meters is the end of a depth range, not necessarily a standalone depth as the refutation implies.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
The refutation claims 36 meters is the end of a range, not a sole depth, which supports the original claim of '36' as depthMax rather than refuting it as inconsistent.
Scubaholics Subic explicitly lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. This shows that 36 meters is the end of a depth range, not necessarily a standalone depth as the refutation implies.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
Depth range
Access
Documented months
May
Current
Mild
Reported by one source · Scuba Diving in Subic Bay Philippines
Good buoyancy control advised
Reported by one source · Scubago
About This Dive Site
Upside Down LCU
This is an inverted landing-craft wreck near the entrance to Subic Bay, distinct from the shallower LCU in Triboa Bay. Arizona describes the wreck in two sections on sand and reports a depth of about 36 metres. Mangos also names a deep inverted LCU and describes collapsed upper structure and visible propellers.
Correct wreck, uncertain history
This is a landing craft, not the separate Tabby aircraft wreck. Check the wreck name when arranging a trip: aircraft features such as wings and a cockpit belong to a different site. The exact craft identity and loss circumstances remain unconfirmed.
Planning this partial guide
Arizona classifies its outing for deep-qualified or technical divers and describes a route continuing toward Canyons reef. A reported point depth does not establish the full depth range of that combined route. Confirm the intended wreck, route and conditions with the operator. This guide provides no penetration plan and does not guarantee current structural stability or wildlife sightings.
Operator accounts of the wreck
Arizona Dive Shop's dedicated page for the Upside Down LCU, in a Wayback Machine snapshot of 26 May 2024, calls it another Landing Craft Utility and a recent find. It says the wreck is lying upside down in 36 metres on the sand and is completely split in two pieces, reports typically great visibility with resident bluespotted stingrays, ribbon eels and loads of shrimp and nudibranchs, and lists the dive for Deep Diver certified and technical divers. Arizona generally starts on the wreck and then swims east, ascending to between 12 and 18 metres to end on the Canyons reef site.
Scubaholics Subic's ship-wrecks page, in a Wayback snapshot of 14 June 2026, gives 33 to 36 metres and a Deep Diver skill level. It says little is known about this LCU, that it was discovered in 2013, and that it rests upside down and in two pieces on a sandy bottom near Grande Island. Scubaholics reports visibility usually decent at 10 to 15 metres, several schools of fish, a few ribbon eels and bluespotted rays seen quite often, and describes prolonging the dive by swimming due east off the wreck into the canyons of Grande Island before a boat pick-up near the island.
Mangos Dive Center's dive-site page, captured 7 October 2026, lists an Upside Down "Deep" LCU for Advanced and Deep divers, says it does not have a lot of information on the wreck, and places it right at the entrance to the bay off the Canyons Reef. Mangos adds that the wreck has sunk into the sand a bit and the superstructure has collapsed over time, while all three propellers are still intact and visible.
Naming differences to note
The SSI MyDiveGuide page for Subic Bay, captured 8 October 2026, lists an "Upside Down Landing Craft Utility (LCU2)" but describes it in the same entry as a Landing Craft Tank designed to deliver tanks onto a hostile beach, and mentions small penetration opportunities. Johan's Beach and Dive Resort, in a Wayback snapshot of 10 September 2024, lists a "Landing Craft Tank" as another fairly recent find near Grande Island in 36 metres of water without using the upside-down name. Whether Johan's entry is this wreck is not established here, and the LCU-versus-LCT question is recorded, not resolved. The 2013 discovery date is Scubaholics' statement alone.
Not yet independently cross-checked. · Arizona Dive Shop · Arizona Dive Shop (Wayback snapshot) · Johan's Beach and Dive Resort (Wayback snapshot) · Mangos Dive Center · SSI MyDiveGuide / Scubago · Scubaholics Subic (Wayback snapshot)
Certification requiredInformation under review
Check the source context before using these values to plan a dive.
One source says both things. It reports this value and also contradicts it.
Contrary evidence
Deep Divers Certification with Tec45 preferred
Read source context
Mangos Dive Center states that "Diving the wreck requires at least a Deep Divers Certification with Tec45 preferred". This implies that a Deep Diver certification is the minimum, but also suggests that something higher (Tec45) is preferred. The claim only mentions "Deep Diver" as the certification required, ignoring the recommendation for Tec45.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T11:32:31.091Z
Same source as the recorded value
Deep Diver
Mangos Dive Center states that "Diving the wreck requires at least a Deep Divers Certification with Tec45 preferred." The original claim of only "Deep Diver" ignores the strong recommendation for Tec45.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T11:34:34.341Z
Same source as the recorded value
No alternative value was recorded
Mangos Dive Center explicitly states that 'Diving the wreck requires at least a Deep Divers Certification with Tec45 preferred.'
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T11:48:57.709Z
Same source as the recorded value
No alternative value was recorded
Mangos Dive Center states that 'Diving the wreck requires at least a Deep Divers Certification with Tec45 preferred.' The original claim of only 'Deep Diver' ignores the strong recommendation for Tec45.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T11:48:57.709Z
Same source as the recorded value
The refutation states the claim implies that Deep Diver alone is insufficient, but the source explicitly states 'at least a Deep Divers Certification with Tec45 preferred'.
Mangos Dive Center states that diving the wreck requires at least a Deep Diver Certification with Tec45 preferred, directly supporting the original claim.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
Same source as the recorded value
The refutation states the original claim of 'Deep Diver' is insufficient, but the source says 'at least a Deep Divers Certification with Tec45 preferred'.
Mangos Dive Center states that 'Diving the wreck requires at least a Deep Divers Certification with Tec45 preferred,' which directly supports the original claim.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
Same source as the recorded value
The refutation states that the original claim is only 'Deep Diver' and is insufficient, but the source says 'at least a Deep Divers Certification with Tec45 preferred'.
Mangos Dive Center explicitly states that 'Diving the wreck requires at least a Deep Divers Certification with Tec45 preferred,' which directly supports the original claim.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
Same source as the recorded value
The refutation states the original claim of 'Deep Diver' is insufficient, but the source says 'at least a Deep Divers Certification with Tec45 preferred'.
Mangos Dive Center states that 'Diving the wreck requires at least a Deep Divers Certification with Tec45 preferred.' The original claim of only 'Deep Diver' is incomplete, not refuted.
Mangos Dive Center · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
Same source as the recorded value
Current Conditions
Typical current strength at this dive site
Mild
Light current that is easy to swim against. Comfortable for most certified divers.
Strength Scale
None
Mild
Moderate
Strong
Reported by one source · Scuba Diving in Subic Bay Philippines
Hazards & Safety
Be aware of these potential hazards at this dive site
Overhead environment
Severity: MediumThe wreck offers small penetration opportunities and the main fuselage is intact. However, penetration is not advisable for less experienced divers due to the relatively new discovery and limited clearing efforts.
Sharp metal
Severity: MediumAs a shipwreck, there is a potential for sharp edges and entanglement.
Silting
Severity: LowWrecks can experience silt-outs, especially during penetrations.
Sources
- Arizona Dive Shop
- Arizona Dive Shop (Wayback snapshot)
- Johan's Beach and Dive Resort (Wayback snapshot)
- Mangos Dive Center
- Scuba Diving in Subic Bay Philippines
- Scubago
- Scubaholics Subic (Wayback snapshot)
- SSI MyDiveGuide / Scubago
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Beginner
BeginnerBeginnerBeginnerDepth Profile
Minimum DepthInformation under review
Contrary evidence
33
Scubaholics Subic lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. Other sources state 36 meters. This suggests 33 meters is the start of a range, not necessarily a standalone minimum.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T11:34:34.341Z
No alternative value was recorded
Scubaholics Subic explicitly lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. This shows that 33 meters is the start of a depth range, not necessarily a standalone minimum.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T11:48:57.709Z
The refutation claims 33 meters is the start of a range, not a sole depth, which supports the original claim of '33' as depthMin rather than refuting it as inconsistent.
Scubaholics Subic explicitly lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. This shows that 33 meters is the start of a depth range, not necessarily a standalone depth as the refutation implies.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
The refutation claims 33 meters is the start of a range, not a sole depth, which supports the original claim of '33' as depthMin rather than refuting it as inconsistent.
Scubaholics Subic explicitly lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. This shows that 33 meters is the start of a depth range, not necessarily a standalone depth as the refutation implies.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
Maximum DepthInformation under review
Recorded value
36
Supported by: Scuba Diving in Subic Bay Philippines
Contrary evidence
36
Scubaholics Subic lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. Other sources state 36 meters. This suggests 36 meters is the end of a range, not necessarily a standalone maximum.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T11:34:34.341Z
No alternative value was recorded
Scubaholics Subic explicitly lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. This shows that 36 meters is the end of a depth range, not necessarily a standalone maximum.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T11:48:57.709Z
The refutation claims 36 meters is the end of a range, not a sole depth, which supports the original claim of '36' as depthMax rather than refuting it as inconsistent.
Scubaholics Subic explicitly lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. This shows that 36 meters is the end of a depth range, not necessarily a standalone depth as the refutation implies.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
The refutation claims 36 meters is the end of a range, not a sole depth, which supports the original claim of '36' as depthMax rather than refuting it as inconsistent.
Scubaholics Subic explicitly lists the Upside-down LCU depth as 33-36 meters. This shows that 36 meters is the end of a depth range, not necessarily a standalone depth as the refutation implies.
Scubaholics Subic · 2026-09-23T12:39:22.303Z
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