Manko Maru
Rabaul · Papua New Guinea
The Manko Maru is a Japanese patrol boat resting on its side at around 18 meters, its hull so thoroughly colonised by decades of coral growth that it resembles a natural reef ridge rather than a man-made vessel. Fan corals and black coral trees sprout from the railing stanchions, and sea turtles regularly rest against the encrusted hull plates. The shallow depth and abundant marine life make this an exceptional site for both novice wreck divers and underwater photographers.
Conditions
Depth
8 to 22 m
Open water and up
Current
Usually still
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
20 to 30 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
26 to 30°C
3mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
| Vis (m) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 |
| Current | Gentle | Gentle | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Moorish Idol
Last confirmed Mar 3, 2026 · 1 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Reef Stonefish
Last confirmed Jul 5, 2025 · 1 records
Rare
Now and then
Clark'S Anemonefish
Last confirmed Mar 3, 2026 · 2 records
Rare
Now and then
Green Sea Turtle
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Nudibranch (Variable)
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Blacktip Reef Shark
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Spine-Cheek Clownfish
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear