Catalina Wreck Point

Catalina Wreck Point is an advanced dive site in the Biak Islands of Papua, centered on the submerged wreck of a World War II Catalina PBY flying boat resting on a sandy slope. The aircraft, which went down during the Pacific Theater campaigns around Biak, has become a fascinating artificial reef colonized by hard corals, sponges, and soft coral growth that now camouflage its original form. The wings and fuselage create shelter for resident groupers, lionfish, and schools of glassfish that swirl inside the cockpit. The surrounding reef is remarkably healthy, with large table corals and gorgonian fans framing the wreck against the blue water backdrop. The historical significance adds a contemplative dimension to the dive, connecting modern-day explorers with a pivotal chapter of Pacific war history. Catalina Wreck Point is both a wreck dive and a reef dive of the highest caliber, set in Papua's crystal-clear waters.