Coron Wreck Diving: A Guide to WW2 Shipwrecks in Palawan
On September 24, 1944, American aircraft swept over Coron Bay in a coordinated strike that sank 12 Japanese Imperial Navy ships. It was a decisive moment in the Pacific War — and it created one of the most remarkable dive sites on the planet. Today, those same ships rest on the sandy bottom of Coron Bay, draped in soft corals, inhabited by lionfish and batfish, and visited by divers from every corner of the world. Coron wreck diving is consistently ranked among the top 10 wreck diving destinations globally.
The History Behind the Wrecks
By mid-1944, the Japanese Imperial Navy was using Coron Bay as a fleet anchorage. The bay sheltered waters and remote location seemed safe from Allied attack. On September 24, US Navy aircraft from Task Force 38 conducted a surprise raid that caught the Japanese fleet completely off guard. Twelve Japanese vessels were sunk, settling at depths from 10 to over 40 meters — shallow enough for sport divers, deep enough to have preserved the ships remarkably well for nearly 80 years.
The Best Wreck Dive Sites in Coron
Okikawa Maru: The Flagship Wreck
The Okikawa Maru is a large oil tanker resting at a maximum depth of 47 meters. This 168-meter ship has its main deck at around 18-25 meters. The cargo holds still contain wartime contents and the superstructure is heavily encrusted with hard and soft corals. Schools of glassfish cloud the interior passageways.
Akitsushima: The Flying Boat Tender
The Akitsushima was a seaplane tender with a large crane on the aft deck still intact today. Sitting at 32-42 meters, it is covered in magnificent fan corals and sponges, making it extraordinary for wide-angle underwater photography.
Kogyo Maru: Best for Marine Life
The Kogyo Maru lies on its port side at 16-34 meters, accessible for intermediate divers. It hosts extraordinary marine life: lionfish in crevices, nudibranches on the surfaces, and large groupers patrolling the cargo holds. Visibility here typically exceeds 20 meters.
Olympia Maru: Best for Beginners
The Olympia Maru lies upright with the top of the superstructure at around 12 meters — well within reach of open-water certified divers. The abundance of marine life makes it rewarding even for divers primarily interested in marine life rather than history.
What Experience Level Do You Need?
- Open Water divers (max depth 18m) can access upper sections of wrecks including the Olympia Maru
- Advanced Open Water divers (max depth 30m) can fully explore most of the Coron fleet
- Deep specialty or Divemaster level is required for the deepest sections of the Okikawa Maru (47m)
- Wreck specialty certification is recommended for penetration dives into ship interiors
Booking Your Coron Wreck Diving Trip
Most dive shops offer two-dive and three-dive day trips visiting 2-3 wrecks, with lunch included. A typical two-dive wreck trip costs PHP 2,500-3,500 per person including equipment rental. Book the Coron WW2 Wreck Diving Tour through PANA.PH for a fully organized experience with an experienced local guide.
Combining with Other Coron Activities
While in Coron, do not miss the Coron island tour including Kayangan Lake for above-water scenery that rivals anything the wrecks offer underwater. For a completely unique experience, the Calauit Safari lets you spot African giraffes and zebras on a tropical island.
Best Time to Dive Coron
The best conditions are from October through May. Peak visibility occurs from December through April — 20-30 meters on the best days. Avoid August and September during typhoon season.
Practical Tips
- Equalize early and often — many wrecks have significant depth range and ear pressure is a common issue
- Bring a dive torch — wreck interiors are dark; a personal backup light is essential
- Dive with a guide — local guides know the safest entry and exit points and the best marine life locations
- Never touch anything — the wrecks are a protected heritage site; disturbing artifacts or coral is both illegal and ethically wrong
Getting to Coron
Fly from Manila to Busuanga Airport (USU) daily with Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, or AirAsia (55 min). From the airport, a van or tricycle takes you to Coron town (20 min). Book the Coron WW2 Wreck Diving Tour on PANA.PH and let the history of the Pacific War unfold beneath the surface of Coron Bay.