CORON BAY  ·  WWII WRECK DIVING  ·  2026

Coron Diving Guide: Best Wreck Dives, Dive Sites and Scuba Diving

Coron is one of the most famous wreck-diving destinations in the Philippines. Beneath the waters around Coron Bay and Busuanga lies a remarkable collection of Japanese ships sunk during World War II — now artificial reefs covered with coral and surrounded by schools of tropical fish. But Coron isn't only for experienced wreck divers.

Book the Skeleton Wreck Day The 8 Dive Sites
4.42 from 275 reviews on the boat day that reaches Skeleton Wreck and Barracuda Lake
Sept 1944 US air raid that sank the Japanese fleet in Coron Bay
8 sites Wrecks and dives worth planning a trip around
2–3 days Diving days to dedicate if wrecks are the point
Nov–Apr Drier months many divers favour for conditions
Barracuda A thermocline lake dive, not a wreck and not a reef
The short answer, and the reason behind it

Is Coron Good for Scuba Diving?

Yes — particularly if you are interested in wreck diving. What Coron offers is not one signature dive but a cluster of large, intact, historically specific ships within an easy boat ride of one town.

What you actually see down there

Depending on the site, divers can see intact ship structures, cargo holds, machinery, cranes, boilers, engine rooms, coral growth and large schools of fish. The wrecks have had more than eighty years to become reefs, so a Coron dive is simultaneously a historical site and a marine one.

Some wrecks can be explored externally by recreational divers, while deeper sections and wreck penetration require more advanced training. That distinction runs through this entire guide and is the single most important thing to get right before you book.

Coron is not only for experienced wreck divers

Depending on your certification and comfort level, you can explore shallower wrecks, reef sites and one of the area's most unusual underwater environments — Barracuda Lake. A non-diving partner is not stranded here either: the shallow Skeleton Wreck is visible to snorkellers, which is why it appears on standard island-hopping itineraries.

Book the Skeleton Wreck Day Where Divers Should Stay

Coron diving at a glance

  • Speciality: WWII Japanese wreck diving
  • Wrecks sank: US air raid, September 1944
  • Where: Coron Bay and around Busuanga
  • Beginner-friendly: Skeleton Wreck, shallower Okikawa sections, reef dives
  • Most unusual dive: Barracuda Lake (geological, not marine)
  • Dive days to budget: 2 minimum, 3 better
  • Base: Coron Town for most divers
  • Certification alone does not determine whether a dive is appropriate — currents and conditions matter too
Not a scuba dive  ·  ★ 4.42 / 5  ·  275 reviews

The Wreck You Can Reach Without a Certification

Certified diving in Coron is booked directly with a dive centre, not through a tour platform — so be clear what this is. It is the full-day boat that reaches Skeleton Wreck and Barracuda Lake, two of the eight sites below, at snorkelling depth. It is the right booking for a non-diving partner, a surface interval day, or a first look before you commit to a dive package.

⭐ Best Non-Diver Route to the Wrecks  ·  Hotel Pickup Included

Coron: Barracuda Lake, Skeleton Wreck, Twin Lagoon Boat Tour

This is the itinerary that puts two of Coron's eight headline sites within reach of anyone who can swim. You snorkel the marine life living off Skeleton Wreck — a WWII Japanese ship sitting at around 5 m — then swim into Barracuda Lake and feel the thermocline for yourself: cool at the surface, hot as a spring at depth, exactly the temperature-layer effect that makes divers describe the lake as a geological dive rather than a marine one. Twin Lagoon's narrow limestone opening completes the day, with a Filipino-style lunch cooked by the crew at Smith Beach.

8 hours
Hotel pickup, departs Coron port
English & Tagalog guide
Snorkel gear, life jackets & lunch included
Free cancellation (24 hrs)
Be clear on what this is and isn't: it is a snorkelling and swimming day, not a scuba dive. There is no tank, no dive briefing and no certification check, and it will not take you to Okikawa Maru, Akitsushima or Irako — those are booked with a dive centre. Moderate physical ability is required, since you may need to swim (life jackets are provided) and climb a hill. Luggage and large bags are not allowed on the boat, and hotel pickup is early morning.
One morning in 1944

Why Are There So Many Shipwrecks in Coron?

Coron's famous wrecks date from World War II, and they are all there for the same reason on the same date.

The air raid

Japanese vessels sheltering around Coron Bay were attacked during a US air raid in September 1944. Several ships sank in the waters around Busuanga and Coron, and those ships now form the basis of the area's entire dive industry.

Why that makes the diving unusual

The wrecks went down together, in one sheltered bay, at a range of depths. That is why Coron can offer a shallow wreck a snorkeller can see and a deep military vessel for advanced divers within the same day's boat ride — an accident of history rather than dive-site design.

You might also enjoy

Diving is a full-day activity, so surface-interval days need filling: the reef snorkelling at Siete Pecados and Coral Garden, the limestone swim at Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon on Coron Island, the outer-island beaches at Malcapuya, Banana Island and Bulog Dos, the shallow Skeleton Wreck and Lusong Gunboat for non-divers, and the two land-based classics that keep you out of the water on your no-fly day before departure — Mount Tapyas and Maquinit Hot Springs.

Eight sites, in the order divers usually rank them

Best Dive Sites in Coron

Six WWII wrecks, one shallow wreck for beginners and snorkellers, and one lake that is not a wreck at all.

1. Okikawa Maru

Okikawa Maru is frequently considered one of Coron's standout wreck dives. Its relatively shallow upper structure makes it more accessible than some of Coron's deeper wrecks, which is why it turns up on both introductory wreck itineraries and advanced ones. Experienced wreck divers may also find extensive penetration possibilities, but penetration requires appropriate training, buoyancy control, equipment and planning — it is not something to attempt because the opening looked inviting. Best for: one of Coron's most accessible major wrecks.

2. Akitsushima

Akitsushima was a Japanese seaplane tender and now rests on its port side. One of its most recognisable features is the large crane lying beside the vessel — the detail every photograph of this wreck is trying to capture. The combination of large military vessel, machinery, marine life and substantial depth makes Akitsushima particularly appealing to advanced divers, and the depth is what puts it out of reach for everyone else. Best for: dramatic ship structure and experienced wreck divers.

3. Irako

Irako is often mentioned among the best wreck dives in Coron — but it is not one to treat casually. Depth affects bottom time, gas consumption, nitrogen loading and emergency options, and all four of those change the character of the dive rather than merely shortening it. For experienced divers, the combination of large wreck, history and marine life makes Irako one of Coron's strongest dive sites. Best for: experienced and advanced wreck divers.

4. Olympia Maru

Olympia Maru provides a useful middle ground between the shallower wrecks and Coron's deepest sites — the wreck most often used to build up to Akitsushima and Irako rather than jumping straight to them. Divers can explore the exterior, while properly trained wreck divers may investigate the large cargo holds. Best for: a relatively approachable large wreck.

5. Kogyo Maru

Kogyo Maru is particularly interesting because portions of its cargo remain visible — the reason it reads as a historical site rather than simply a large object on the seabed. It suits advanced divers interested in wreck history, machinery and underwater photography, and it rewards a slower, closer dive than its size suggests. Best for: cargo, machinery and advanced wreck diving.

6. Morazan / Ekkai Maru

You may hear this wreck referred to as Morazan Maru or Ekkai Maru — both names refer to the same ship, which is worth knowing when you compare dive-centre itineraries. Because of its size, there is plenty to see without entering restricted parts of the wreck, which is what makes it workable across a range of experience levels. Best for: a large wreck and a range of experience levels.

7. Skeleton Wreck

Skeleton Wreck is very different from the giant WWII wrecks farther out in Coron Bay. It begins in shallow water and can also be viewed by snorkellers, which makes it particularly suitable for visitors who want to experience Coron's wreck-diving identity without immediately attempting a deep WWII shipwreck. It is also the site that appears on standard island-hopping boat days, including the Barracuda Lake, Skeleton Wreck and Twin Lagoon tour above. Best for: beginners and snorkellers.

8. Barracuda Lake

Barracuda Lake isn't a wreck at all. It is known for dramatic submerged limestone formations, very clear water, unusual temperature layers and thermoclines — the sensation of swimming from cool water into water that feels like a hot spring is the whole point of the dive. Think of Barracuda Lake as a geological dive rather than a marine-life dive, and don't judge it by fish count. Our lakes and lagoons guide covers it from the surface-swimmer's side. Best for: Coron's most unusual dive.

Match the site to the certification, not to the reputation

Coron Dive Sites by Experience Level

The most important point in this entire guide: don't choose the dive purely because it has the most famous wreck name.

Best Coron dive sites for beginners

Potentially suitable options include Skeleton Wreck, shallower sections of Okikawa Maru, reef dives, and Barracuda Lake depending on conditions. The qualifier on that last one is not decorative — Barracuda's suitability moves with conditions on the day.

Best Coron wrecks for advanced divers

Once depth and training stop being the limiting factor, the priority list opens up to Akitsushima, Olympia Maru, Kogyo Maru, Okikawa Maru, Morazan / Ekkai Maru and Irako.

Do you need an Advanced Open Water certification to dive in Coron?

Not for every dive. Some sites can be suitable for Open Water divers, but Advanced training greatly expands your options, because many major wrecks extend below standard beginner depth limits.

Do you need a wreck diving certification?

For simply viewing the outside of a wreck within your certification limits, a dedicated Wreck Diver certification isn't necessarily required. Wreck penetration is different and creates an overhead environment. If you are not trained for penetration: stay outside the wreck.

Can you learn to scuba dive in Coron?

Yes. Coron has dive centres offering training from beginner level upward, so a certification course and the wrecks can sit in the same trip — though not in the same first few days.

Can you try scuba diving in Coron without certification?

Yes, some dive centres offer introductory experiences for non-certified divers. They are not the same as becoming a certified diver and do not automatically include deep wrecks. If the wrecks are why you are coming, budget for the certification rather than the taster.

Coron dive sites grouped by suitable experience level
Level Sites The Limiting Factor
Snorkeller / non-diver Skeleton Wreck, Siete Pecados, Coral Garden, island reefs Nothing — book a standard island-hopping boat day
Open Water Skeleton Wreck, shallower Okikawa sections, reef dives, Barracuda Lake (conditions permitting) Depth limits, and currents at some sites
Advanced Open Water Akitsushima, Olympia Maru, Kogyo Maru, Okikawa Maru, Morazan / Ekkai Maru, Irako Bottom time, gas consumption and nitrogen loading
Wreck-certified Interiors and cargo holds of the above Overhead environment — training, buoyancy, equipment, planning
How many dives you need, and in what order

An Example 3-Day Coron Diving Plan

If wreck diving is important to you, dedicate at least 2 full diving days. Three is better — and the third day is the one that makes the trip feel complete rather than rushed.

Day 1 — Introduction to Coron wrecks

Okikawa Maru, Olympia Maru and a reef or shallower third dive. Start on the accessible upper structures and let the depth build.

Day 2 — Major wrecks

Akitsushima, Kogyo Maru and another wreck appropriate to your certification. This is the day the trip is really for.

Day 3 — Alternative experience

Barracuda Lake, Skeleton Wreck and a reef dive. Deliberately different in character from the two days before it.

Treat each as a full day

A typical day may involve meeting at the dive centre, preparing equipment, boat travel, two or three dives, surface intervals and lunch. Don't book anything else into a diving day.

Then leave a no-fly margin

Coron's airport is a further 30–45 minutes from town — see the Coron airport guide — so plan your last dive and your flight with room between them.

Season, water and where to base yourself

Coron Diving Conditions and Logistics

Six practical questions that decide whether a Coron dive trip works, none of which are about the wrecks themselves.

Best time for diving in Coron

Many divers favour the drier months, approximately November through April, when sea conditions and visibility can be more predictable.

What is visibility like in Coron?

Visibility varies according to weather, rain, current, tide, location and season. No single figure describes it, and any blog that gives you one is describing one day.

Are there strong currents in Coron?

Some dive sites can experience currents — which is another reason certification alone doesn't determine whether a dive is appropriate on a given day.

What does a Coron diving day look like?

Meeting at the dive centre, preparing equipment, boat travel, two or three dives, surface intervals and lunch. Treat a diving day as a full-day activity.

Should you stay in Coron Town for diving?

For most divers, yes. Dedicated dive resorts elsewhere around Busuanga can make sense if diving is the sole focus of your trip — our where to stay guide compares the two.

Should you book Coron diving in advance?

Book ahead if you're travelling in peak season, want a particular dive centre, are taking a course, need Nitrox, require unusual equipment sizes, or wreck diving is the main purpose of your trip.

Three honest comparisons

Diving vs Snorkelling, Coron vs El Nido, and the Safety Reality

Where the line actually falls between what you can see with a mask and what needs a tank — and what wreck diving adds to ordinary diving risk.

Coron diving vs snorkelling Snorkellers can visit Skeleton Wreck, Siete Pecados, Coral Garden and island reefs, and none of that is a consolation prize. However, scuba diving gives you access to Coron's biggest attraction: the major WWII shipwrecks, which simply are not visible from the surface.
Coron diving vs El Nido diving Choose Coron for WWII wreck diving, large shipwrecks and Barracuda Lake. Choose El Nido for reef diving and marine landscapes around Bacuit Bay. If you are doing both, our El Nido to Coron ferry guide covers the crossing between them — including why not to book a flight the same day you sail.
Is Coron diving safe? Scuba diving carries inherent risks, and wreck diving adds additional hazards. Stay within your certification, use a reputable operator, follow your guide, maintain good buoyancy, respect depth limits, and don't enter wrecks without appropriate training.
Ten things to check before you pay a deposit

How to Choose a Coron Dive Centre

Certified diving in Coron is arranged directly with a dive centre rather than booked through a tour platform, so the operator you choose is entirely your own call. This is the list to run through before you commit.

Bookable now  ·  snorkelling, not scuba

Surface-Interval and Non-Diver Days

Neither of these is a scuba dive — GetYourGuide's Coron listings are boat and snorkelling tours, and certified diving is booked with a dive centre. These are what to put in the days between dives, or on the days a non-diving partner is with you. Ratings checked on GetYourGuide 7 September 2026.

Aerial view of Coron Bay limestone karst islands and turquoise water, site of WWII Japanese shipwrecks

Coron: Reef and Wreck — 2 Japanese Wrecks & Pass Island

3.40 (9 reviews — check live rating)
Limited reviews and a below-average score — verify current rating on GYG

The only listing here that reaches WWII wrecks not covered above: the Lusong Gunboat, a ~35 m Japanese supply ship sunk on 24 September 1944 and resting at 10 m, and the East Tangat anti-submarine chaser, bow at 4 m sloping to 22 m — both shallow enough to snorkel. Lusong Coral Garden runs a strong current, so expect drift-snorkel conditions. Permits, entrance fees and a picnic lunch are included; the boat is open air, so bring a waterproof bag.

$47 / person
Check Availability
Aerial view of the Kayangan Lake boardwalk staircase, Coron Island Philippines

Coron: Private Boat Hire with Guided Tour and Lunch on Beach

4.93 (799 reviews)

The highest-rated Coron listing on this site, and the one that lets you build the surface-interval day yourself: choose seven destinations from a list that includes Barracuda Lake and Kayangan Lake, on a boat reserved for your group. Useful when half your party is diving and half isn't, since the itinerary bends to whoever is aboard.

$131 / group of up to 2
Check Availability
Frequently asked questions

Coron Diving FAQ

Wreck names, beginner options, certification requirements, Barracuda Lake and how many days to budget.

The verdict

Is Scuba Diving in Coron Worth It?

If you already scuba dive and have even a moderate interest in wrecks: absolutely.

For an Advanced diver — particularly one with wreck training — Coron is not simply somewhere to add a scuba dive to an island-hopping holiday.

The diving can be the main reason to come.

And if you are not certified, the honest answer is that Coron still works: Skeleton Wreck, Siete Pecados and Coral Garden are all snorkel-accessible, and Barracuda Lake's thermocline is felt from the surface as well as at depth. You just won't see Akitsushima, and there's no way around that except a certification course.

Book the Dives With a Dive Centre. Book the Rest Here.

Certified wreck diving in Coron is arranged directly with a dive centre — we don't sell it and we won't pretend otherwise. What is bookable here are the boat days that fill your surface intervals and reach the two shallow sites a mask can handle: Skeleton Wreck and Barracuda Lake.

All tours book via GetYourGuide, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before. These are snorkelling and boat tours, not scuba dives. This site earns a commission when you book — see our affiliate disclosure.

Book Skeleton Wreck Day from $33 Browse All Coron Tours