Summarizes Jake Seaplane as a relatively shallow WWII floatplane wreck with navigation guidance and site ratings.
Shallow Palau seaplane wreck with coral, clear water, and easy access.
Shallow Palau seaplane wreck with coral, clear water, and easy access.
A short boat transfer from Koror is the normal way to visit the wreck, and a local guide helps with tide timing and route orientation.
Jake Seaplane is a shallow WWII Japanese floatplane wreck in Palau that sits on a coral reef and is easy to read from the surface. The wreck remains largely intact, with the tail section and other broken pieces lying nearby in clear blue water. It is a relaxed wreck for beginners and snorkelers who want an iconic Palau site with coral, strong visibility, and plenty of small reef life around the airframe.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
12m+
Depth Note
The wreck is described as resting at about 12 m on a coral reef.
Best Season
Year-round; high tide is preferred for the clearest water.
Typical Conditions
Shallow, clear, low-current wreck on a coral reef; visibility is usually strongest at high tide.
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Safety Notes
Check the cockpit before peeking in, keep buoyancy gentle around the reef, and use the tide to your advantage for the clearest view.
Access Restrictions
Best visited with a local dive operator rather than as an independent shore hop.
Legal Notes
Follow local Palau dive rules and your operator’s briefing.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Shallow wreck dive on a coral reef at around 12 m.
Freediving
The shallow depth and surface visibility make it approachable for confident freedivers when conditions are calm.
Snorkeling
Snorkelers can usually make out the wreck from the surface, which is one reason the site is popular beyond scuba.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Summarizes Jake Seaplane as a relatively shallow WWII floatplane wreck with navigation guidance and site ratings.
Describes the site as a five-minute boat ride from Koror, visible from the surface, and usually best at high tide.
Confirms the shallow wreck, clear water at high tide, and a snorkel-friendly profile.
Describes the wreck as a shallow, clear-water photo site with intact sections and nearby marine growth.
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