Coron Dive Sites

Akitsushima

Akitsushima is also considered as one of the most popular wreck diving sites in Palawan.

The wreck lies in the north west of Manglet Island. This wreck was the only warship that had sunk in the Coron by. This 148 meters or 487 feet Japanese vessel sunk on the 24th of September 1944. It happened immediately minutes after the attack of an air raid. It was bombed close to the stern where its flying boat was tethered on metal tracks. The warship had almost broken into two. On the other hand, the crane that was used to lift the seaplane out of the water is undamaged and lies on the sand at 36 meters deep. There is also a three-barreled anti aircraft gun mounting in front of the lying boat tracks and also half buries in the mud of the crane’s area.

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Black Island Wreck

The Black Island Wreck is known to be one of the best diving sites in Palawan. It is known for its excellent features above and under the sea. On land and under the sea, limestone caves are seen. Forests and hot springs, on the other hand, can be found above water. Aside from wreck diving at the Black Island Wreck, there are other exciting activities that make tourists love the place. These activities include snorkeling, jet skiing and kayaking. Also, visitors can affordably lodge to several resorts within the area.

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Cagayan Lake

Cayangan Lake is considered as one of the most popular dive sites for scuba divers. It is situated on top of a volcano crater.

Cayangan Lake, also known as Barracuda Lake, is said to be the craziest dive site in the Philippines. This is because before the dive starts, divers will first do some challenging mountain climbing in full diving equipment over sharp limestone cliffs. This will take for about 10 to 15 minutes. The view around the lake is amazingly beautiful. The underwater terrain has been likened to fly over the surface of the moon. The first four meters of the water is warm and fresh while the next meters is salty. There is also a dynamic change in the lake’s water temperature. It ranges from 28 to 38 Celsius. Thermoclines can even be seen at 4 and 14 meters. The water suddenly changes from crystal clear to tea brown at 34 to 35 meters. This is due to the tannic acid in the in the leaves that fell in the lake.

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Coral Garden

The underwater tour begins with entering an amazing coral garden at 13 feet. Next is going over the drop-off to 130 ft and above. The shallow reef top is well and nicely covered with beautiful soft and hard, stony and leathery corals, including the very huge Acropora table corals and a few small gorgonians. There are lots of small reef fish. There are also sea stars – blue and grey Linckia) and anemones with clownfish. Over the drop off, there are more table corals, stinging hydroids, Dendronephthya soft tree corals, a few fine corals, whip corals and plenty of gorgonian sea fans.

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Coron Island

Getting in this site will only take for about 45 minutes from south to south east by a banca. It is an open water dive that offers an easy wreck dive for all beginners. It also offers an exciting night dive that will surely be enjoyed by amateur divers.

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East Tangat Wreck

East Tangat wreck sunk on the 24th of September 1944 that was believed to be either a tugboat or an anti-submarine craft. This happened during the World War II. This shipwreck is 40 meters or 130 feet long and 500 gross tons. The wreck lies listing to starboard down a sandy slope with the stern at 22 meter or 72 feet. The top of the bow at 10 feet points at 320 degrees (compass bearing).

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Gunboat at Lusong Island

Gunboat at Lusong Island is known to be one of the best sites in Palawan in terms of diving. The Lusong gunboat is a shallow sunken Japanese wreck that is perfect for scuba diving. Snorkeling is also good on the reef beside the wreck.

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Irako

Irako wreck is said to be the spot where you can experience the best wreck dive in the Philippines. It is very popular with diver enthusiasts. . It is one of the Japanese ships that were sunk in year 1944 during the World War II. Irako wreck is still intact and lies at the mouth of the Coron Bay in Palawan. This Japanese refrigeration ship is about 147 meters or 482 feet long, 19 meters wide and 9723 gross tons. The wreck has a very good visibility at the minimum depth of 5 meters or 16 feet to the maximum of 15 meters or 49 feet.

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Kogyo Maru

Kogyo Maru dive site is one of the greatest dive sites in Palawan as well as in the Philippines. Kogyo Maru is an auxiliary army cargo ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during the World War II. It was sunk on the 24th of September, 1944 by US aircraft. This Japanese freighter is 158 meters or 520 feet long and 6352 gross tons. It lies on its starboard side in 100 feet of the water. The port side hull of the Kogyo Marui is at 22 meters or 72 feet. Its hull is covered with soft and hard corals.

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Mamya Maru

Located at the wet of the northwest side of the Tangat Island is the Mamya Maru wreck. This wreck dive site is also well known in Coron, Palawan. The good thing about wreck diving here is that it is advisable for both beginners and professional divers for it has a good depth.

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Olympia Maru

This wreck was a Japanese army cargo ship that is 137 meters or 450 feet long and 5617 gross tons. It was sunk by US aircraft on the 24th of September, 1944. It is firmly stated on reports that the Olympia Maru was attacked by ten US aircrafts. The fourth US aircraft was the one who apparebtly scored a straight hit amidships, perhaps on a fuel tank and then the engine was damaged.

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Taiei Maru

This dive site has now become one of the most visited and known dive sites in Coron, Palawan. Reaching the place will take for about 2 and a half hours by banca, from west up to the south of the Concepcion Village.

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Tangat Wreck (A191)

Tangat Wreck (A191) is another Japanese freighter that was sunk on the 24th of September 1944 during the World War II by the US aircraft. The wreck sits upright in 100 ft of the water. Its main deck is at 60 to 80 feet.

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