Skip to content
Go to Dive Champ home pageDive Champ LogoDive Champ

Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck)

The Douglas SBD-4 Dauntless dive bomber encountered AA fire while on a raid in Munda on July 23, 1943. Pilot Jim Dougherty skillfully landed the plane in Rendova Harbour, where it remains submerged at a depth of 13m. This captivating dive site can be reached by boat in approximately 25 minutes.

Divers exploring this wreckage will be treated to a fascinating array of macro critters, including an impressive variety of shrimp, tiny pipefish, blennies, and even a moray eel taking refuge within the remains. The story behind this historical site becomes even more remarkable as it involves the pilot, Jim Dougherty, who returned on the 50th anniversary to dive his very own plane. Today, Dive Munda and our knowledgeable guides Sunga and Brian can help you uncover this extraordinary tale.

Located in the Western region of the Solomon Islands, this dive site offers visibility of up to 18m and reaches a maximum depth of 14m. It is suitable for divers of all levels, including beginners, seeking to explore the underwater wonders of this beautiful country.

Picture yourself immersing in the rich history and marine life of the Solomon Islands, as you plunge into the depths of this captivating dive site.

Diving Conditions Score for Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck)

6.1
Above Average

Decent conditions, proceed with caution.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck)

Depth

14m

Visibility

18m

Experience Level

beginner

Weather Conditions for Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck)

Wave Height

1m

Wind Speed

10 m/s

Water Temp

18°C

Visibility

15km

Cloud Cover

57.5%

Wave Period

8s

Air Temperature

20°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck)
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck)

Best time to dive: 6:00 with score 7.113333333333333/10. Water conditions: Waves 1m, Wind 10 m/s.Best night dive time: 0:00 with score 6.613333333333333/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck): 06:00
Sunset at Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck): 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck) are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
6:00

Score: 7.1/10
Waves: 1m (8s), Wind: 10 m/s

🌙
Best Night
0:00

Score: 6.6/10
Waves: 1m, Wind: 10 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck)
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck)

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck)

Summer

Avg. Score: 10.0/10

Summer offers the warmest water temperatures and generally favorable conditions for all levels of divers.

Best Months for Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck)

May
Score: 10.0
June
Score: 10.0
July
Score: 10.0

Ideal Conditions for Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck)

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

20.8°C / 69.4°F

June

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

20.1m / 65.9ft

May

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

0.2m / 0.7ft

January

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck)

Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck) follows southern hemisphere patterns with June being the warmest month (20.8°C) and December the coldest (16.8°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.2m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 22, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

40 Dive sites near Douglas SBD Dauntless (Wreck) in

Find more dive sites in Solomon Islands

Solomon IslandsSolomon Islands

Solomon Islands

Got feedback?

Help us improve this dive site by giving us feedback.