Salang Wreck

A Japanese cargo vessel sunk during the Second World War lies in 18 to 28 metres off the northern coast near Salang Bay, its hull now so thoroughly colonised by hard and soft corals that the superstructure resembles a manufactured reef. Schools of glassfish and cardinalfish fill the interior, attracting resident lionfish, grouper, and occasional barracuda that use the hull as an ambush point. The wreck's intact bow section and stern cargo hold are penetrable at recreational depths and decorated with enormous sea fans, wire coral, and encrusting sponges in shades of orange and purple.