Top 8 Wrecks in Coron Bay

The Irako is a must for wreck enthusiasts. Due to its depth of 108-138 feet (33-42 m), challenging entry points, and medium-strong currents, this wreck is suitable only for advanced divers.

What Will You See

Diving inside Irako means negotiating dark doorways and tight corners, and being mindful of sandy surfaces. Since it is in an upright position and in relatively good condition, inside the rooms divers will find rewarding views. Journey through to see the engine rooms, cargo holds, and transmission room.

There are lots of sponges, elephant ears, fans, and black coral scattered on the wrecks surfaces, along with macro life. Living on the wreck are scorpionfish, crocodilefish, lionfish, groupers, and schools of fusiliers on the bow.

Level: Intermediate to advanced

The Akitsushima was a truly awesome battleship, measuring 375 feet (114 m) long and 65 feet (20 m) wide, designed to carry seaplanes. Lying on its port side, the deepest point is 115 feet (35 m) on a sandy bottom.

What Will You See

This intriguing site has much to offer, both on the exterior and interior. A set of 25 mm AA-machine guns sit alongside the massive crane lying on the seabed. Swimming along this crane, you get a true sense of size.

There are many different routes to take, weaving through the three decks and engine rooms. The main exit, near the back of the main deck, is the compartment created by the lethal torpedo that took down Akitsushima.

Due to a special coating used on navy ships, there is not much coral life as compared to some of the other wrecks. Yet this allows divers to appreciate the ship’s shape and beauty as the fish whiz around.  The current fluctuates from medium to quite strong, demanding more than a modicum of experience.

Level: Intermediate to advanced

About 15 minutes’ boat ride from Akitsushima you arrive at the Okikawa Maru. The shallowest part of this oil tanker is 40 feet (12 m) and it rests upright in 85 feet (26 m) at the bottom.

What Will You See

You’ll enter the wreck through the propellor shaft, traversing the reasonably well-lit floors. This is a tight spot so watch your fins. Inside, you pass engine rooms containing oil barrels and leaking fuel. Divers’ bubbles have pushed and trapped the oil against the ceiling.

Due to the pressure increase, the oil has become like play-doh, and you can touch it with your hands. But be careful, as it will rub off on and stain both your hands and gear. Similar to Akitsushima, routes normally exit through the damaged cavity at the stern of the ship or pop out through the manholes.

The entire superstructure has an array of corals, macro critters, and reef scenes to enjoy. Carpeting the deck is an abundance of black and soft corals, nudibranchs, sweetlips, barracudas and turtles.

With life comes currents. They can get pretty strong at Okikawa, creating a challenging dive. Don’t be surprised if your dive is rescheduled to a later date for more favorable conditions.

Level: Intermediate to advanced

Calm conditions, shallower depths, and easier navigation make the Olympia Maru popular for those just arriving in Coron or new to wreck diving. In reasonably good condition and sitting upright, Olympia’s shallowest point is 40 feet (12 m) atop its funnels and the deepest is at approximately 100 feet (30 m).

What Will You See

Olympia Maru, depending on visibility, is normally accessed via the mooring line attached to a stern funnel. At its base, a school of fusiliers encircles and surrounds the nearby gun turret. The large cargo holds and the bridge have collapsed, so entering and exiting is relatively easy. The engine room is mostly salvaged, leaving two boilers behind today.

Rounding the front of the freighter you’ll find lots of fan coral and other large, bushy varieties with plenty of reef fish such as lionfish, massive scorpionfish, crocodilefish,  and sweetlips.

Compared to its cousins scattered across the bay, Olympia Maru has little to offer inside. However this makes it a good wreck for intermediate divers to practice their buoyancy before visiting the formidable wrecks.

Level: Beginner

Kogyo Maru is a 442 foot (135 m) Japanese freighter lying on her starboard side, the shallowest part at 82ft/25m and deepest 115ft/35m.

What Will You See

There are six cargo holds, making for easy penetration, and cool finds like cement bags, rolls of wires, and even a bulldozer. These cargo holds are big and easily accessible for a quick peek inside the wreck. Going deeper to see the engine room and its two enormous boilers requires wreck and nitrox certification.

Exiting the wreck through the cargo hold creates wonderfully coral-framed views full of fish. Sea-life visiting the Kogyo Maru includes groupers, scorpionfish, barracuda, turtles, and macro critters like nudibranchs. The wreck is perfect for underwater photographers.

Level: Beginer to advanced

Morazan Maru is 302 feet (92 m) long and sits at 82 feet (25 m), making it one of the most popular wrecks in Coron. Only recently was the origin and proper title bestowed on the ship, thanks to extensive mapping and research. Morazan Maru is an auxiliary cargo vessel, so the four big cargo holds are easy penetration points.

What Will You See

One of the highlights is an engine room with two enormous boilers. A more stimulating dive for experienced divers is a journey through the whole ship, bow to stern. On the way, pass through a room with a little air pocket. Stick your head out at 65 feet (20 m), but keep your reg in your mouth.

Morazan Maru is lying on its starboard down, so looking out the coral-encrusted portholes is great for underwater photography. Fish life includes barracudas, squid, turtles, lionfish, and lots of macro critters.

Morazan Maru has a variety of routes, and going deeper and further into the wreck requires appropriate certification. But staying atop and just popping into the cargo holds is possible for beginner and intermediate divers.

Level: Beginner to intermediate

Another great wreck for those new to wreck diving or wanting something easier, the East Tangat is a 135 foot (35 m) anti-submarine chaser. At depths of 9-62 feet (3-19 m) and close to shore, East Tangat has low currents and is easily accessible for new divers and snorkelers.

What Will You See

Visibility is high based on ample sunlight on the site. There is no direct penetration point, but it is possible to weave in and out of rusted bars on the exterior.

Taking shelter on the wreck are lots of critters, such as flatworms, nudibranchs, banded boxer crabs. Batfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish flit around. Just at the bow, hiding in the antler coral, you may spot one of the famous mandarinfish or a beautiful polka dot cardinalfish. Go a little further to the surrounding healthy reef, and colossal barrel sponges and elephant ear are sure to impress.

Level: Beginner

Lusong gunboat, situated just northwest of Irako, is a small wreck, popular with snorkelers, divers, and free divers. Arriving at Lusong, you can see it from the surface, making for an awesome view.

What Will You See

Like East Tangat, Lusong is a shallow, near-shore wreck, so expect good visibility and minimal currents. The feel of the dive is very similar to East Tangat, albeit a little less impressive.

Just off-site and offshore there is great wall diving, with large groupers and lots of turtles and anemones. Photographers will enjoy Lusong’s calm conditions and beautiful reef scenes.

Level: Beginner