B26 Bomber Wreck – Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands

20m Max

10-22m Vis

boat

Site Overview

The B26 Bomber Wreck is a WWII-era aircraft resting on the sandy floor of the Mamanuca lagoon at 15 to 20 metres depth, offering an accessible and atmospheric wreck diving experience with abundant marine colonisation and excellent photographic opportunities. The bomber, a twin-engine aircraft from the Second World War, lies largely intact on the sandy bottom, its fuselage, wings, and tail section clearly recognisable despite decades of marine growth. Schools of glassfish fill the interior spaces, their translucent bodies catching torch light as divers peer through openings in the fuselage. Lionfish perch on the wing structures and engine nacelles, their flowing fins creating an elegant contrast against the corroded metal. The wreck has become an artificial reef, with hard corals, sponges, and oysters colonising the metal surfaces and transforming the military aircraft into a thriving marine habitat. Batfish patrol the exterior in small groups, their distinctive shapes silhouetted against the blue water. Groupers have claimed the larger openings as territories, emerging from the shadows to observe passing divers. The sandy floor surrounding the wreck hosts garden eels and occasional stingrays. The shallow depth and calm lagoon conditions make this an accessible wreck dive for Open Water certified divers, providing an introduction to wreck diving in a safe and visually interesting environment. The wreck is a popular complement to the reef diving in the Mamanuca Islands, adding historical and structural diversity to the dive experience.

Dive Briefing

"Divers enter from the boat and descend to the wreck, which is visible from the surface on clear days. The aircraft lies on the sandy floor at approximately 15 to 20 metres depth, largely intact with its fuselage, wings, and tail section recognisable. External exploration begins with a circuit of the aircraft, observing the coral colonisation and fish communities. Glassfish fill the interior spaces, visible through openings in the fuselage. Lionfish perch on the wings and engine nacelles. The deck and cockpit areas provide features to explore. Limited penetration is possible through designated openings, but requires a torch and careful finning to avoid stirring silt. The sandy floor hosts garden eels and occasional stingrays. The shallow depth allows extended bottom times of 45 to 55 minutes. Safety stops are conducted on the DSMB above the wreck. The cockpit area still contains instrumentation panels and control columns that provide historical context for the aircraft type. Divers should be cautious of sharp metal edges and avoid disturbing silt inside the fuselage by maintaining slow, deliberate fin kicks throughout the penetration."