Subic Bay · Philippines · Wreck
Douglas A-1 Skyraider
An intact AD-5N Skyraider, upright at 35 m
A Douglas A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft rests upright and still intact on the floor of Subic Bay at 35–36 m. It is the AD-5N variant, redesignated A-1G, and its condition makes it a fixture for aviation enthusiasts among the bay's fleet of ship wrecks — a short, focused dive for advanced divers.
Also known as AD-5N, A-1G.
Where it is and how deep
14.7954° N, 120.2498° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive is simple in shape and demanding in discipline: a direct descent to the airframe at 35–36 m, a circuit of the aircraft, and an ascent with the reserve you planned. At this depth no-decompression time is short, so the briefing, the descent and the gas plan matter more than on any of the bay's shallower ship wrecks — this is a dive you do once, deliberately, rather than a site to potter around.
What you get for the effort is a rarity: a unique AD-5N (redesignated A-1G) Skyraider sitting upright and still intact, described as being in fantastic condition. The airframe reads clearly as an aeroplane rather than debris, which is exactly why aviation-minded divers put it on their Subic list. Take in the whole aircraft early, spend your remaining minutes on the details, and leave the bottom with your ascent time in hand.
The wreck
- Vessel
- Douglas A-1 Skyraider (AD-5N/A-1G)
- Type
- Carrier-based attack aircraft
- Cause
- Not recorded in published sources
- Lies
- Upright and intact on the bay floor at 35–36 m
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Prime | Prime |
Season follows Subic Bay: November–May dry season is clearest, best February–May; the July–September monsoon cuts inner-bay visibility and cancels rough days.
Know before you go
- At 35–36 m no-decompression time is short — agree turn pressure and bottom time in the briefing and hold to them.
Sources
- Subic Bay Dive Guide: WWII & US Navy Wrecks — philippinedives.com
- Douglas Skyraider (Wreck) — Scubago
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