Subic Bay · Philippines · Wreck
Landing Ship Tank (LST)
Barracuda and jack schools over an upright landing ship
The LST is a Landing Ship Tank scuttled upright in the middle of Subic Bay, between Grande Island and the southern tip of the Cubi Point runway, during post-war US Marine amphibious training. In 30–36 m it is the bay's fish wreck: schools of large barracuda, jacks and fusiliers are common here, with eagle rays passing through.
Also known as LST-559.
Where it is and how deep
14.7800° N, 120.2450° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
You descend a line into open bay to find the ship sitting upright in the centre of Subic Bay, between the southern tip of the runway and Grande Island. The wreck lies at 30–36 m, so this is an Advanced Open Water dive with a real bottom-time budget — plan the profile before you splash and start deep, working the hull and deck before moving up the structure.
The reason to come is the fish. Schools of large barracuda, jacks and fusiliers are common over the wreck, and eagle rays are seen here as they are at the USS New York and El Capitan. Give yourself time hanging just off the structure watching the schools work around the hull, then follow the line up with a comfortable reserve.
The wreck
- Vessel
- LST-559
- Type
- Landing Ship, Tank
- Cause
- Sunk during post-WWII US Marine amphibious assault training exercises
- Lies
- Upright in the middle of Subic Bay between Grande Island and the southern tip of the Cubi Point runway, in 30–36 m
After World War II, Subic Bay served as a US Navy base and training area, and LST-559 went down during US Marine amphibious assault training exercises, settling upright in the middle of the bay between the runway's southern tip and Grande Island. Unlike most of Subic's fleet she is not a war casualty but a training-era loss, and decades on the sea floor have turned her into a gathering point for the bay's schooling fish.
Marine life and season
- Barracuda
- Trevally & jacks
- Eagle rays
| 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.
Questions divers ask
How deep is the LST wreck in Subic Bay?+
It lies upright at 30–36 m in the centre of the bay, which makes it an Advanced Open Water dive.
Sources
- Subic Bay Wreck Diving Sites | Maps, History and Dive Information — Scuba Tech Philippines
- Subic Bay — Wikipedia
- Olongapo (Wikivoyage) — Area wrecks list — Wikivoyage
- Landing Ship Tank (LST) — Camayan Divers
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