Jake Seaplane Wreck Dive Site
Site Overview
Jake Seaplane Wreck, within the Koror Area – Wrecks & Macro of Palau, is one of the region's most rewarding dive sites and a highlight of any Micronesian diving trip. A Japanese Aichi E13A floatplane lying intact in shallow water, coral-encrusted and rich in macro life. Geographically the site features wreck and plane formations built from steel and coral substrate, dropping from a shallow top of around 12 metres to a maximum depth of about 18 metres, with an average working depth near 14 metres. Visibility is typically excellent, ranging from 12 to 28 metres, while water temperatures hold between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius year-round. The marine life is the headline attraction. Divers routinely encounter Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), Pipefish (Syngnathidae), Lionfish (Pterois volitans), Nudibranch (Chromodoris), Glassfish (Parapriacanthus ransonneti), alongside dense reef fish, invertebrates, and the soft and hard corals that blanket the reef. The mix of nutrient-rich currents and Palau's protected status makes Jake Seaplane Wreck one of the most reliable places in the country to see both abundant macro life and large pelagic visitors on a single dive. Jake Seaplane Wreck is best enjoyed as part of a boat programme out of Koror, and it rewards wide-angle photographers, naturalists, and adrenaline-seeking drift divers alike. The Palau Protected Areas Network helps keep the reef pristine, so divers are asked to maintain perfect buoyancy and respect the fragile coral at all times.
Dive Briefing
"Your dive at Jake Seaplane Wreck begins with a controlled descent along the mooring line or wall, depending on the current on the day. You circle the fuselage and wings, peering into the nacelles where seahorses and pipefish often cling. Plan to spend the deepest portion of the dive along the wreck between 12 and 14 metres, where the steel is most colourful and the larger fish congregate. No hooking needed; deploy your DSMB and ascend slowly off the wing. Mid-water, watch the blue beyond the wall for passing Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) and other pelagics, and keep an eye on your no-decompression limits given the depths involved. Ascend slowly with a safety stop at five metres to off-gas safely. Because Jake Seaplane Wreck can experience mild currents and occasionally reduced visibility after heavy rain, dive with a surface marker buoy and always follow your operator's site-specific briefing and emergency plan."
Signature Marine Life
Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda)
Best: Year-round
Pipefish (Syngnathidae)
Best: Year-round
Lionfish (Pterois volitans)
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch (Chromodoris)
Best: Year-round
Glassfish (Parapriacanthus ransonneti)
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Sharp aircraft metal
- Entanglement in control cables
- Silt if the bottom is stirred
- Low light under the wings
- Sun exposure on the shallow dive
- Minor boat traffic above
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Jake Seaplane Wreck is aimed at beginner divers holding at least a Open Water certification, and it suits those comfortable managing mild currents and maintaining neutral buoyancy along vertical terrain. Photographers, marine-life enthusiasts, and experienced drift divers will find it especially rewarding, while open-water divers and macro photographers will love the easy, intact wreck. Divers who prefer calm, shallow, zero-current conditions should choose one of Palau's sheltered lagoons or house reefs instead, and anyone without the recommended certification should complete a check-out dive with a local operator first.
For Non-Divers
Snorkellers can clearly see the intact plane and its macro life in the shallow water.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Sam's Tours
- Fish 'n Fins
Photography Info
Best for: macro, wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Palau Pacific Resort
Arakabesan, Koror • 8km away
West Plaza by the Sea
Koror • 9km away