Rice Bowl Wreck
Also known as: Hikane Maru
Best time to dive
March to October; November to February
What you might see
- BarracudaLikely
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Certification & difficulty
Advanced Open Water - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.
Snorkelling
Not a snorkel site
Safety notes
Deep wreck penetration risk (structure is a genuine WWII war grave, sunk 1 Oct 1944 by USS Hammerhead with loss of life - penetration should be treated with the same care as any war grave/deco-risk wreck); depth requires gas planning/possible deco; low dive traffic means less rescue support if problems occur; parts of the wreck fields have reportedly been damaged/looted by illegal scrap salvage dredging in past years
Permits & fees
No dedicated marine park fee documented for Usukan Bay (outside Sabah Parks TARP boundary); site is a war grave - divers should follow standard no-penetration/no-removal ethics; confirm any local fishing-ground or council permissions with the operator
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Kota Belud
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.