Coron — Shipwrecks & Lakes

Coron on Busuanga Island is the diving paradise of the Philippines — and one of the best wreck diving sites in the world. On September 24, 1944, American planes sank a Japanese fleet in Coron Bay. Today, 12 Japanese shipwrecks lie at depths of 10–40 meters — covered with corals and inhabited by schools of tropical fish. An underwater museum like no other.

The most important wrecks for divers:

• Irako: 150-meter-long refrigerated ship at 28–42 meters. The largest and most spectacular wreck, only for experienced divers (Advanced).
• Akitsushima: Seaplane carrier with a still visible crane. At 20–38 meters.
• Okikawa Maru: Oil tanker at 10–26 meters, also suitable for beginners. Huge schools of batfish.
• Skeleton Wreck: Small, shallow wreck (5–25 meters) — perfect for Open Water divers.

But Coron is much more than diving. The Kayangan Lake is the postcard moment: A crystal-clear lake amidst limestone cliffs, accessible via a steep staircase. The water is a mix of fresh and saltwater with visibility up to 15 meters — you can see every stone on the bottom. The Barracuda Lake next door offers a surreal diving experience with thermoclines (alternating warm and cold water layers).

Island Hopping in Coron leads to the Twin Lagoons (two lagoons connected by an underwater tunnel), CYC Beach (powder-white sand beach), and the Siete Pecados (seven small islands with excellent snorkeling). Malcapuya Island and Banana Island offer picture-perfect beaches with fewer tourists.