travel guide coron

Diving in Coron

Discover a world of wonder beneath the waves in the breathtaking municipality of Coron, where marine biodiversity thrives and beauty abounds. Renowned as a top dive destination, Coron boasts some of the Philippines' most spectacular diving sites, drawing adventurers and enthusiasts from all over the globe. Take the plunge and explore these popular sites, where vibrant coral reefs, mesmerizing shipwrecks, and a vibrant array of sea creatures await.

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Quick Facts

Where you'll dive: Coron Bay and the waters around Busuanga Island, reached by dive boat from Coron town. Most trips are 2 dives, with a surface interval on a beach or at anchor.
Why Coron is different: n September 1944, US aircraft sank a fleet of Japanese supply and navy ships here. The wrecks now lie at depths from about 10 to over 40 m, covered in coral and home to fish.
Best Season: November to May is the driest and calmest period. Wreck diving is possible all year because the wrecks sit in sheltered bays.
Visibility: Typically 5-20 m on the wrecks, and it varies with tide and plankton. Barracuda Lake is often clearer, at roughly 15-25 m.
Water temperature: Around 27-30°C (81-86°F) in the bay. A 3 mm wetsuit or shorty is enough for most divers.
Certification: Open Water divers can dive shallow wrecks like Lusong. Deeper wrecks such as Irako and Akitsushima suit Advanced Open Water divers. Going inside a wreck requires wreck-penetration training and a guide.

Coron Day Trips

Coron Scuba Diving: Private, Shared & Discovery

Coron Scuba Diving is the perfect choice for diving enthusiasts eager to discover the spectacular underwater world of...

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coron, PALAWAN

Most Popular Dive Site

Irako wreck

Located off the southeastern coast of Lusong Island, the impressive Irako wreck is a 147-metre-long Japanese supply ship that sank after bomb hits in 1944. Today, it rests upright at a depth of 42 metres, angled slightly to its port side.

Considered one of Coron’s best and most interesting wrecks, Irako offers a challenging but rewarding dive. Its depth, size and sometimes difficult conditions make it suitable only for experienced divers. Wreck diver Claus Rasmussen famously described it as a “Triple D” dive – Deep, Dark and Dangerous.

Inside the wreck, divers can explore the transmission room, propeller shaft, kitchen compartments, workstation and engine room, with the original engines still in place.

Marine life includes large shoals of trevally, fusiliers and snappers, along with lionfish and scorpionfish. Lucky divers may even encounter a whale shark.

Irako is not recommended for beginners. Divers should have an Advanced Open Water certification and at least 25 logged dives; a wreck specialty certification is preferred. The site is accessed by boat, with visibility ranging from 10 to 30 metres.

Akitsushima Wreck

The Akitsushima Wreck is a hidden gem off Lajo and Manglet islands in Coron Bay, offering a fascinating dive for experienced divers. Sunk by American forces in 1944, this 148-metre-long Japanese naval ship rests at a depth of 38 metres.

As the only naval ship of its fleet discovered so far, Akitsushima has great historical significance. On the exterior, divers can see the remains of the stern crane, the large crane once used to lift its missing “Emily” seaplane, 25mm anti-aircraft guns and the remaining 12.7cm twin-gun turret.

Inside, the wreck spans three deck levels, with guns, ammunition, crane machinery and the engine room still offering plenty to explore. The commando room, with large diesel tanks still in place, is another highlight.

Marine life includes barracudas, batfish, sweetlips, lionfish and scorpionfish, with occasional rays and turtles. Strong currents can make the dive challenging, with visibility sometimes dropping to just 3 metres.

Due to its depth, currents and penetration requirements, Akitsushima is not suitable for inexperienced divers. Advanced Open Water certification, a wreck specialty and solid diving experience are required to explore the interior.

Barracuda Lake

Located on the north-western coast of Coron Island, Barracuda Lake is one of Coron’s most unusual dive sites. Accessible by boat, this mysterious freshwater lake is connected to the sea through underwater channels and fed by hot springs.

The dive is famous for its limestone pinnacles, covered with corals and sponges, and the striking thermocline at around 14 metres. As divers pass through it, the water temperature changes dramatically, creating a shimmering, almost surreal underwater effect.

Barracudas are often seen around the pinnacles, adding to the excitement. Deeper down, the water becomes exceptionally warm, reaching around 38–40°C at 30 metres.

The unusual combination of freshwater, saltwater, changing temperatures and underwater formations makes Barracuda Lake a truly unique diving experience.

Kogyo Maru

Located off the southeastern corner of Lusong Island, Kogyo Maru is a fascinating Japanese freight ship sunk by American forces in 1944. Measuring 158 metres, the wreck rests on its starboard side at a depth of 34 metres.

Inside, divers can see a remarkably well-preserved bulldozer with its 6-cylinder Mitsubishi diesel engine, along with cargo holds containing cement bags and rolls of wire fencing. A large salvage hole allows natural light into the wreck, creating an atmospheric dive.

Marine life includes large Lapu-Lapu (groupers), schools of batfish, lionfish among the black corals, barracudas, wrasses and nudibranchs, with occasional turtles and rays.

Visibility ranges from 3 to 15 metres, depending on conditions. The site is suitable for Advanced Open Water divers, while wreck penetration requires a Wreck Diver certification.

Black Island Wreck

The Black Island Wreck lies off the east side of Malajon Island, named after the dark rocks surrounding it. This 45-metre coastal ship of unknown origin rests upright on a sandy slope, with the bow at 32 metres and the stern at 20 metres.

Its relatively shallow depth makes it a good site for novice divers, photographers and night dives. The wreck attracts plenty of marine life, including large scorpionfish and red lionfish, schools of batfish, snappers, fusiliers and sea bass, as well as trumpetfish and angelfish around the superstructure.

The hull is covered in dense sponges and hydrozoans, while corals are less common. During stronger currents, open-sea species such as hammerhead sharks may occasionally be spotted.

The waters are generally calm with a slow current, and visibility can reach 20 metres. Diving is not recommended during bad weather.

Bugon Reef

Located on the northern coast of Culion Island, Bugon Reef is an exceptional dive site with slopes ranging from 3 to more than 35 metres.

Visibility is generally excellent, reaching 15 to 20 metres. The shallow areas are the highlight, with an abundance of hard and soft corals and colourful reef fish.

Divers can encounter anemonefish, batfish, moray eels and puffers, as well as turtles and giant clams. With some luck, leopard sharks and guitar sharks may also be spotted, making Bugon Reef an exciting site for marine life encounters.

Kalambuyan Reef

Kalambuyan Reef is a must-visit dive site, widely considered one of the best reefs in the region. It offers a healthy underwater environment with good visibility and a rich variety of corals and marine life.

It is particularly appealing to underwater photographers, with excellent macro-life including nudibranchs.

Located about 30 minutes by boat from the Okikawa Maru, the reef has an average depth of around 17 metres. Due to its remote location, it is usually visited together with the northwest Coron Bay wrecks, such as Akitsushima and Okikawa Maru, or as part of a dive safari.

Lusong Reef

Lusong Reef stretches for around two sea miles north of the Lusong Wreck and is a beautiful site for both diving and snorkelling. The reef is home to an excellent variety of hard and soft corals and abundant marine life.

Protected by a nearby pearl farm, the reef supports turtles, cuttlefish, rays and a wealth of macro-life, including colourful nudibranchs.

Both the reef and nearby wreck offer excellent opportunities for underwater photography, with visibility ranging from 5 to 15 metres depending on current conditions.

Siete Pecados

The 7 Islands Reef, also known locally as Siete Pecados, is one of the most popular reef dives in Coron, thanks to its close proximity to town. It is ideal for both day and night diving and is often combined with a visit to Barracuda Lake.

Designated as a marine sanctuary, the reef is carefully protected and boasts healthy hard and soft corals, supporting an impressive variety of marine life. Divers may encounter anemonefish, batfish, cuttlefish, barracudas, groupers, angelfish, moray eels, giant clams, turtles, lobsters, seahorses, nudibranchs and rays, including eagle rays.

The rich marine life makes Siete Pecados excellent for underwater photography. Visibility ranges from 5 to 20 metres, although strong currents can occur, so divers should follow local safety guidelines.

Calauit Bay

Calauit Bay is one of the best places in Busuanga to look for wild dugongs, with extensive seagrass meadows providing an important feeding ground.

The surrounding waters offer a unique opportunity to combine dugong watching with diving, where there is a chance of encountering these gentle marine mammals in their natural habitat.

Chindonan House Reef

Chindonan House Reef is a stunning dive site just 80 metres from the shoreline of Chindonan Island Resort and Divecenter.

It is particularly popular for night dives, when divers can spot fascinating marine life such as squid, sleeping turtles, octopus, seahorses and scorpionfish.

During the day, the reef is suitable for divers of all levels, making it an excellent choice for beginners and refresher dives.

Shipwreck in Coron, Scuba Diving, Palawan, Philippines

Shipwreck in Coron, Diving, Palawan, Philippines

Dugong Watching Coron, Dugong Diving Center

EL NIDO, PALAWAN

Marine Life in Coron

Around the Wrecks

After decades underwater, Coron’s Japanese shipwrecks have become thriving artificial reefs. Hard and soft corals cover the hulls, masts and deck structures, while schools of fish shelter around the wrecks and inside their openings.

Lionfish and scorpionfish can often be found resting beneath overhangs, while groupers, snappers and batfish gather around the hulls. Above the wrecks, large schools of fusiliers create a constant stream of movement. Look closely at the coral-covered surfaces and you may spot nudibranchs, small crustaceans, frogfish or squid. Seahorses can sometimes be found in the sandy areas nearby, while blue-ringed octopus have also been recorded in the area.

Reefs & Open Water

Coron’s reefs and surrounding waters offer encounters with a wide variety of marine life, including white-tip reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, bumphead parrotfish, sea snakes and large schools of reef fish.

Dugongs of Northern Busuanga

For wildlife enthusiasts, one of the most special encounters in the region is the endangered dugong. Northern Busuanga is home to shallow seagrass beds where these gentle marine mammals feed, and dedicated day trips operate in search of them.

Dugongs are wild animals, however, so sightings are never guaranteed. When one is spotted, observing it from a respectful distance makes the experience all the more special.