Coron Diving & WWII Wrecks: Asia's Best Wreck Diving.

The 1944 Japanese Fleet: History & Why It Matters

September 24, 1944: The Sinking

US Navy Task Force 38 under Admiral William "Bull" Halsey targeted Japanese naval supply lines in the Philippines. In a single coordinated air strike, 24 Japanese ships were sunk in Coron Bay: cargo vessels, troop transports, naval escorts, a seaplane tender, and refrigeration ships. Most sank in depths between 10–45 metres. They've rested on the bay floor for 80 years.

Today, these wrecks are among the world's best-preserved and most accessible wreck dives. The water is relatively clear, the wrecks are stable, and the fish life is extraordinary. This is not a wreck dive destination you fly to for technical extreme diving—it's a destination where recreational and advanced divers can safely experience intact, recognizable WWII history.

Beginner Wreck Dives (Open Water Certification Required)

Skeleton Wreck (Depth: 5–12m, Snorkelling Possible)

A small Japanese cargo vessel in shallow water. The wreck is recognizable: hull, cargo holds, some superstructure still intact. You can snorkel the shallows (5m) and see it clearly, or dive to 8–10m to swim through cargo areas. This is the most beginner-friendly wreck. Many first-time wreck divers cut their teeth here.

Cost: ₱2,500–₱3,000 per 2-tank dive. No special certification required beyond basic Open Water.

East Tangat Wreck (Depth: 24–26m)

A cargo ship in good condition. The bow is recognizable, the superstructure is intact. Visibility is usually excellent. A straightforward square-profile dive for experienced Open Water divers or newly certified Advanced divers. Great learning wreck.

Cost: ₱2,500–₱3,000 for a 2-tank dive.

Advanced & Intermediate Dives (Advanced Open Water Recommended)

Okikawa Maru (Depth: 10–26m, Can Exceed 30m)

The largest wreck in Coron—160 metres long. A massive refrigeration ship (reefer ship) designed to carry frozen cargo. The wreck is so large and intact that a single dive only covers a section. You can explore the bow, the cargo holds, or the stern depending on time and air.

The shallower parts (10–15m) are accessible to Open Water divers. The deeper sections (20–30m) require Advanced certification. The wreck is stable and full of fish. This is the "must-do" wreck for visiting divers.

Cost: ₱3,500–₱4,000 for a 2-tank dive. PADI Advanced certification recommended for depths beyond 20m.

Irako (Depth: 28–42m)

Another refrigeration ship, similar to Okikawa Maru but deeper. The shallower sections sit at 28m, the deeper parts at 40m+. This requires Advanced Open Water certification minimum. Excellent wreck, fewer divers than Okikawa Maru so more peaceful.

Cost: ₱3,500–₱4,000 for a 2-tank dive.

Akitsushima (Depth: 20–38m)

A Japanese seaplane tender (a ship designed to launch and retrieve seaplanes). The wreck is intact and fascinating—you can see where seaplane catapults were mounted. The bow sits at ~20m, the stern at 35m+. Advanced certification required for full exploration.

Cost: ₱3,500–₱4,000 for a 2-tank dive.

Barracuda Lake: The Thermocline Experience

What It Is

A crater lake (freshwater in a volcanic depression) where wreck divers descend past layers of different water temperatures. At about 38 metres depth, you sink through a thermocline layer where the water jumps from ambient temperature (25°C) to near-boiling (38–40°C). The sensation is disorienting, surreal, and unforgettable.

Barracuda Lake is NOT a beginner dive. The thermocline causes genuine vertigo and disorientation in experienced divers. Panic is possible if you're not expecting it.

For Non-Divers: Snorkelling Barracuda Lake

The shallows (0–5m) are calm, clear, and stunning for snorkelling. No thermocline shock. You get the experience of being in a crater lake without the depth danger. Highly recommended for strong snorkellers.

For Divers: The Deep Dive

Advanced Open Water minimum, experienced wreck divers preferred. Descend slowly, reach the thermocline at ~38m, experience the temperature shock. Many divers describe genuine disorientation—loss of spatial awareness, mild panic if unprepared. It's a genuinely challenging psychological dive.

Cost: ₱3,500–₱4,000 for a 2-tank dive (one tank for the thermocline descent, another for coral garden exploration).

PADI Certifications Available in Coron

Open Water (3 Days, ₱8,000–₱10,000)

The foundational certification. Allows dives to 18m depth, dives on known wreck sites in good conditions. You'll do theory, confined water training (in a pool or shallow bay), then 4 open water dives. Most operators in Coron offer this.

Advanced Open Water (2 Days, ₱5,000–₱7,000)

Prerequisite: Open Water certification. Allows dives to 30m. You'll specialize in 2 areas (wreck diving, deep diving, navigation, etc.). Essential if you want to dive wrecks beyond 20m or attempt Barracuda Lake.

Wreck Specialty (1 Day, ₱3,000–₱4,000)

Prerequisite: Advanced Open Water. Teaches wreck penetration skills (navigation inside wrecks, managing decompression in confined spaces). Highly recommended if you want to swim through cargo holds and interior spaces safely.

Choosing a Dive Operator

What to Look For

• PADI-certified instructors: Not all operators are properly certified. Ask to see credentials.
• Equipment maintenance: Ask when tanks were last certified, when BCs were serviced, when regulators were last checked. Reputable shops maintain logs.
• Small group sizes: Max 4 divers per instructor (that's PADI standard). Operators running 6–8 divers per guide are prioritizing money over safety.
• Wreck-specific experience: Have they done the wreck you're about to dive? How often? Ask for references from past divers.
• Safety briefings: Before descending, your guide should brief you on the wreck layout, exit points, depth limits, and emergency procedures. If they skip this, find another operator.

Operator Reputation

Popular operators include Coron Diving Resort (on-site at the guesthouse), Dive The Philippines, and Palau de Adventures. Ask your guesthouse for current recommendations—operators change hands, close, or move frequently.

Coral Gardens for Non-Wreck Divers

Siete Pecados ("Seven Sins")

A shallow reef system (5–15m) with spectacular coral gardens, schools of tropical fish, and good visibility. No wrecks, but outstanding for reef diving and snorkelling. Cost: ₱2,500 for a 2-tank dive, or ₱1,500 for a snorkelling tour.

Calumbuyan Reef

Another coral garden site, less crowded than Siete Pecados. Excellent for non-wreck divers who want to experience Coron's marine life without technical wreck diving.

Practical Diving Logistics

Booking Dives

Book in advance through your guesthouse or directly with a dive shop. Morning dives depart 8–8:30am from the pier. Evening dives (sunset drift dives) depart 3–4pm. Two-tank dives take 4–5 hours total (30 min boat ride, 25–40 min dive, surface interval, second dive, return).

What's Included

Tank rental, weights, guide, boat, lunch (often). What's NOT included: BCD, regulators, wetsuit, mask/fins. Bring your own or rent at an additional fee (₱1,000–₱2,000 total for gear rental).

Cost Breakdown

• 2-tank wreck dive with operator: ₱2,500–₱4,000
• Gear rental (BCD, regs, wetsuit): ₱1,000–₱2,000
• Certification course (Open Water): ₱8,000–₱10,000
• Total 2-tank dive with rentals: ₱3,500–₱6,000 per person

Dive Frequency

You can dive daily, but the standard is 2 dives per day with safety decompression intervals. Rest days are wise after 3+ consecutive diving days. The mantra: dive safe, take rest days, enjoy it.