LIVEABOARD SINGAPORE TO ANAMBAS

The Igara is a 297.3-metre Italian ore and oil steamship that sunk in 1973 due to an unmarked rock off the coast of Indonesia. It was loaded with USD25 million worth of Brazilian Iron Ore which made it the largest single marine insurance loss in maritime history. Subsequently, the wreck’s stern section was towed to Japan and built into a new ship – the Eraclide, while the ship’s half lies around 40 meters rising to 11 meters at the wreck’s top part overgrown with soft corals, sponges, and hydroids. Visibility ranges from 5 to 15 meters as the dive site is prone to very strong currents. Divers can spot schools of Fusiliers, Barracudas, Snappers, Batfish and Angelfish, making their home on the wreck.

Located north of Malang Biru, Damar Island is easily distinguished as a large almost-barren rock that has a steep roof marked by a light and stands 82 meters high. Access to this island is through Letang (capital of Jemaja) by a medium sized motorboat but is easily accessible by a liveaboard. Known dive sites in the area are Damar Pinnacle and Damar Reefs which, as their names suggest, highlight huge rocks underwater and colorful and healthy reefs respectively. Waters around Damar have an average depth of 6 meters and for some islands, the maximum is 15 meters with an average visibility of 20 meters. Residents to these dive spots are Nudibranchs, Anemones, Crabs and a possible sighting of schooling Dolphins and Whale Shark during migration season.

Malang Biru is a 34-meter high white rock that peeks out of the ocean located southwest of Anambas Islands. It is described as aquarium-like with its aquamarine waters with a visibility of 30 meters. Divers will have to stream on the steep slopes within an average depth of 9 meters and will be rewarded with a wonderful sight of teeming Bracket Corals that surround a lighthouse. Malang Biru’s reef is still blessed with an abundant marine life having smaller Reef fishes, Turtles, and Black-tip Reef Sharks as inhabitants.

Batu Katoaka or the ‘Rock of Katoaka’ is a barely visible submerged pinnacle located southwest of the Anambas Islands. The dive site is accessible by liveaboards, usually combined itinerary with Igara Wreck and Malang Biru. It is known to have the most spectacular reefs among the islands with all sorts of sea life. Water conditions are a bit choppy with underwater current and the maximum depth is at 25 meters with a visibility of 20 meters. Coral reefs can already be seen about 6 meters such as huge Table Corals, then descending at 8 meters is a large area of Stag Corals, and with great visibility, a chance to encounter Blacktip Reef Sharks.

Acasta Reef is one of the dive sites that are seldom explored unless on At Batu Acasta, Indonesia, excellent reef life found. Crystal clear water with 30-40m visibility, huge table corals, undisturbed marine life. There is a small wreck in Acasta Reef called the Garsa Dua Wreck. The wreck began about 25 meters deep and continued to the bottom at about 35 m. Acasta Reef is a pleasant dive site with mostly soft corals. Blacktip Sharks and Trevallies are occasional passer-bys at this dive site.