MV Mars Wreck – Havelock Island Dive Site

26m Max

12-30m Vis

boat

Site Overview

MV Mars Wreck is Havelock Island only accessible submerged vessel wreck offering an exciting artificial reef diving experience where a cargo vessel has transformed into a thriving underwater ecosystem attracting diverse marine life in the clear Andaman Sea waters. The wreck rests upright on a sandy substrate at depths from 10 meters on the upper superstructure to 26 meters at the keel creating a multi-level dive profile that rewards both intermediate and advanced divers with varied exploration opportunities. Decades of coral colonization have transformed the metal hull into an artificial reef covered with soft corals, gorgonian sea fans, and encrusting sponges that create spectacular photographic backdrops in the filtered light of the deeper sections. Giant groupers the size of small cars patrol the wreck perimeter and shelter inside the cargo holds while barramundi cod hover motionless near the bow and stern sections. Moray eels occupy every available crevice in the deteriorating hull and scorpionfish camouflage perfectly against the coral-encrusted metal surfaces. Schools of batfish and snapper use the wreck as an aggregation point creating impressive fish life around the superstructure. The combination of historical wreck diving intrigue, artificial reef biodiversity, and the unique atmosphere of exploring a submerged vessel makes MV Mars Wreck a must-dive site for experienced divers visiting Havelock Island.

Dive Briefing

"A typical dive at MV Mars Wreck begins with entry from the dive boat at the shallowest point of the wreck superstructure at approximately 10 meters allowing divers to orient themselves and survey the wreck layout before beginning the descent along the hull. Once established on the wreck divers should swim along the exterior perimeter exploring the bow, stern, and hull sections while maintaining excellent buoyancy control to avoid contacting the deteriorating metal surfaces and disturbing the coral communities that have colonized the structure. The most productive depth zone is between 14 and 22 meters where giant groupers, barramundi cod, and the largest coral formations are concentrated on the main hull and cargo hold areas. Check the cargo hold openings carefully for sheltering groupers and moray eels but avoid full penetration unless appropriately trained and equipped for overhead environment diving. Navigate along the wreck edge watching for schools of batfish and snapper patrolling the superstructure and scanning the surrounding sand for resting stingrays and garden eels. Monitor depth and NDL carefully particularly below 20 meters on the deeper hull sections and always maintain conservative ascent rates given the distance to the Port Blair hyperbaric chamber. Conclude the dive on the shallowest superstructure sections enjoying the abundant coral gardens before completing a safety stop at 5 meters deploying your DSMB before surfacing near the dive boat."