American Wreck
Also known as: USS Salute
Best time to dive
January to December; February to June; November to January
What you might see
- BarracudaPossible
- Grey reef sharkLikely
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Certification & difficulty
Technical - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.
Snorkelling
Not a snorkel site - No - open-water wreck at 28m+, not snorkelable
Safety notes
War grave (USS Salute struck a mine 8 Jun 1945, 9 US sailors lost) - dive with respect, no artifact removal; live/unexploded ordnance and munitions reported on wreck; structural collapse in progress (hull described as 'slowly collapsing'); penetration hazard through torn hull plating; depth (28-33m) requires deep-diving competence
Permits & fees
Site lies within Labuan Marine Park (Dept. of Fisheries, gazetted post-1994); dive trip packages sold by Labuan operators bundle marine park/permit fees into the trip cost (e.g. inclusive of 'permit, marine park fees' per operator itinerary) - exact standalone permit fee not published; treat as a war grave - Malaysia's heritage department has listed the Labuan wrecks as protected sites since 2011
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Labuan
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.