Teshio Maru Wreck Dive Site
Site Overview
Teshio Maru 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 smaller cargo ship with easy swim-throughs, sea whips, and the chance of a frogfish on the deck. Geographically the site features wreck and hull formations built from steel and coral substrate, dropping from a shallow top of around 18 metres to a maximum depth of about 30 metres, with an average working depth near 22 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 Frogfish (Antennarius striatus), Sea Whip Coral (Ellisella), Lionfish (Pterois volitans), Glassfish (Parapriacanthus ransonneti), Nudibranch (Chromodoris), 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 Teshio Maru Wreck one of the most reliable places in the country to see both abundant macro life and large pelagic visitors on a single dive. Teshio Maru 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 Teshio Maru Wreck begins with a controlled descent along the mooring line or wall, depending on the current on the day. You circle the hull, explore the open cargo holds, and check the deck structures where frogfish and sea whips grow. Plan to spend the deepest portion of the dive along the wreck between 18 and 22 metres, where the steel is most colourful and the larger fish congregate. No hooking needed; deploy your DSMB at the ascent line and avoid kicking silt in the holds. Mid-water, watch the blue beyond the wall for passing Frogfish (Antennarius striatus) 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 Teshio Maru 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
Frogfish (Antennarius striatus)
Best: Year-round
Sea Whip Coral (Ellisella)
Best: Year-round
Lionfish (Pterois volitans)
Best: Year-round
Glassfish (Parapriacanthus ransonneti)
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch (Chromodoris)
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Depth to 30 metres
- Open holds with entanglement risk
- Sharp metal edges
- Silt out if disturbed
- Low light inside
- Sun exposure on the surface
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Teshio Maru Wreck is aimed at intermediate 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 intermediate divers and macro hunters will enjoy the easy access and critters. 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 see the shallow deck and schooling glassfish from above.
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