Labuan Island
SCUBA DIVING IN BORNEO
LABUAN Island

Borneo Divers' day boats are fast and reliable
There are currently four identified shipwrecks where you are able to dive near Labuan – two from World War II and two from the 1980s. The ships lie in 30 to 35 metres of water. Visibility varies greatly from season to season – from something in the order of 6 metres to 20 metres, depending on the season.
The diving ranges from Novice to Serious wreck diving – serious including penetration into the hulls of the vessels. You must have “Wreck Diver” certification to be able to do the two wrecks where hull penetration is permitted.
The Dive spots near Labuan include:
- American Wreck

Divers exploring the American Wreck

Part of the American Wreck
- Blue Water WreckThe Blue Water Wreck is the MV Marbini Padre, a Philippine stern type fishing trawler. She is located 34 km off shore in “Blue Water” and generally has the best visibility of all the wrecks during the dry season.
She lies on her port side in 35 metres of water. The vessel is about 80 metres long. She apparently caught fire and was put under tow while the fire was being extinguished, then sank, possibly from the amount of water used to fight the fire. She sank on 13 November, 1981
The wreck is huge with masts and gantries festooned with large amounts of soft corals. You will find a large amount of soft marine growth and larger fish such as groupers and bat fish. The ship is completely intact and easily explored, but should only be visited by experienced Deep and Wreck divers.
- Cement Wreck
The Cement Wreck is located about 21 km off Labuan, East of Kuraman Island. It is a 105 m long modern freighter, named Tung Hwang when it sank on 25 September, 1980. It was carrying cement to Brunei for the construction of the Sultan’s new palace, when it hit the Semarang Bank, badly damaging its hull. All crew were rescued.
The boat sits perfectly upright in 30 m of water. The masts are at 8 m, and the roof of the wheelhouse is at 14 m. The main deck is at 19 m. This is the easiest wreck to navigate and the best for wreck diving training. It is also the most photogenic.

Juvenile Batfish reside near the Cement Wreck

Small Scorpionfish found on the deck of the Cement Wreck
Experienced wreck divers are permitted to penetrate into the hull into the cargo holds, crew accommodation and engine rooms. The novice diver will find this one an excellent one to get started in wreck diving. The photographer will also have many wide angle opportunities including upward silhouette shots.
- Australian WreckIn October 1995, the Australian wreck was finally identified as the Dutch freighter SS De Klerk of 2071 tonnes. She is 40.8 metres long, was built in Holland about 1900 and served in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). During the war, the Dutch Navy scuttled her at Tanjong Priok on 02 March, 1942, in the face of the advancing Japanese forces. She was salvaged by the Japanese, and put into service in early 1943, as the Imabari Maru.

Bronze portholes on the Australian Wreck of the Cement Wreck
The wreck lies on its port side in 33 metres of water on a hard sandy bottom, with its shallowest point at 21 metres. The wooden decks have long since disappeared
There is a wide variety of marine life on the wreck, especially large lion fish, pelagic fish and soft corals. It is also home to the elusive frog fish. The experienced wreck diver will find penetrating the hull interesting. The spot is a natural for wide angle photography.
Thanks to Borneo Divers and Sea Sports SDN BHD which supplied information for the above. Also to Barry Andrewartha of Sportdiving Magazine for the photographs and some of the text. Cover photo copyright to Steven Ng