Munda Bar (Kashi Maru Wreck) - Munda & New Georgia

30m Max

15-30m Vis

shore

Site Overview

Munda Bar (Kashi Maru Wreck) is one of the signature dive sites of Munda & New Georgia in the Solomon Islands. The 90 m Japanese freighter Kashi Maru sank in 1942 and lies upright at 15 to 30 m off Munda, its holds still full of artillery shells and trucks, now draped in coral with lionfish, batfish and rich macro. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 30 m, with an average depth near 22 m, and its wreck topography is draped in metal and coral. Marine life is the headline attraction, with lionfish, batfish, nudibranch, moray eel, glassfish, soft coral regularly recorded here, drawn in by the mild currents and the rich Coral Triangle productivity of the region. Visibility typically ranges from 15 to 30 m, while water temperatures hold a consistent 27 to 30°C year-round, comfortable in a 3 to 5 mm wetsuit. Conditions suit intermediate divers, and with the right guide the site delivers both the drama of its wreck and intimate encounters with the smaller residents. Local operators run regular trips from Munda, and the protected, low-tourism setting keeps coral cover dense and fish life abundant, making Munda Bar (Kashi Maru Wreck) a genuine standout on any Solomon Islands itinerary. Divers who time their visit to the calm season will find the most predictable conditions, though the site rewards repeat visits across the year.

Dive Briefing

"The dive at Munda Bar (Kashi Maru Wreck) begins with a thorough operator briefing covering the site layout, expected marine life and emergency procedures, followed by a controlled entry and a short transfer from Munda. Descending toward the wreck profile, divers are immediately surrounded by lionfish, batfish, nudibranch, moray eel, glassfish, soft coral, with the reef and structure revealing more detail the closer you look. The maximum depth reaches about 30 m while the average sits near 22 m, so a dive computer and disciplined gas planning keep the profile safe and comfortable. Currents are described as mild, and the guide chooses the entry time to make the most of slack or mild flow, using a reef hook or DSMB when needed. Neutral buoyancy protects the fragile coral and the group stays close to manage depth and any surge. The safety stop is completed in open water on a DSMB, and the boat follows the bubbles to collect divers at the exit point for a relaxed return to base. Munda Bar is best dived as a shore or short-boat dive on a calm morning, when the upright 90 m freighter and its open holds are easiest to appreciate. The 15 to 30 m depth suits a relaxed profile, and mild currents are best on a slack window. Water stays 27 to 30°C, and a 3 to 5 mm wetsuit is ample. A slow tour of the holds reveals the trucks and shells."