Kerang Gelang Reef is an expansive reef can be dived on its northern, southern, eastern or western sides depending on the weather or tidal conditions. Depth varies from 2 metres at the top of the reef to 15 metres to its sandy bottom. The hard coral has not been damaged by dynamite fishing and a nearby site allows a depth of 22 metres, which is excellent for PADI Advanced Diver Courses.
Average viz ranges from 2 to 10 metres and when the conditions are right we can experience 15 metres. Read our trip report from April 2016 when we experienced 10 metre viz – here
Situated on this reef is a 100 year steel wreck, famous for its Codd Bottles and has aptly been named “Codd Wreck”.
Hiram Codd patented a bottle filled under gas pressure in 1872. This bottle pushed a marble against a rubber washer in the neck, creating a perfect seal for carbonated drinks and aerated water. The bottle found at this wreck is marked “Singapore” and “Fraser and Neave” (currently known as F & N) and from our research this vessel may have sailed between 1883 and the 1930s.
Codd Wreck is located at 4 to 15 metres and basically the structure has become “the reef”. The wreck is covered in hard coral and has become part of the reef. The ribs of the ship are visible, as are the sides and wheel house. The wreck is sitting upright and is 30 metres long with sheltered areas to explore.
At Kerang Gelang expect to see feather stars, sea fans, fusiliers, damselfish, angel fish, parrotfish, pipefish, clownfish, cuttlefish, stingrays, scorpion fish, bat fish, frogfish, crabs and nudibranchs. The reef is also home to two turtles and two seahorses.
