Most people come to dive the Japanese World War II wrecks, but don't forget we have beautiful reefs and a geothermal lake dive that is out of this world! Below is a list of the more popular dive sites.
1. Okikawa Maru (aka Tai Ei Maru)
Length: 160 Meters
Maximum Depth: 26 meters
The Okikawa Maru is a Japanese oil tanker that has it all. With a maximum depth of 26 meters and the main deck level at 18 meters, you can expect a longer bottom time than the other wrecks. There are lots of corals growing on this sunken giant. The Okikawa also has a large concentration of macro critters. The area is prone to strong currents. But, the current brings in the fish. It is an awesome sight to see big schools of fish hiding from the current behind her huge rudder. Penetrations include a swim through the propeller shaft, and swimming through the oil holds.
2. Akitsushima
Length: 118 meters
Maximum Depth: 36 meters
The Akitsushima is a Japanese Seaplane Tender, and one of the most requested dives in Coron. Her huge crane resting in the sand is a now a home for many fish. On the outside you can still find her anti-aircraft guns lying in the sand. A direct hit almost cut the Akitsushima into two pieces. The massive split now provides easy access inside. Many of the passages inside are small and good buoyancy is a must. Care must be used as live ammunition can still be found. Using nitrox 32 is a good way to boost your bottom time.
3. Coral Gardens
Maximum Depth: 25 meters
Coral Gardens is a beautiful reef located off Lusong Island, near the Lusong Gunboat. Coral Gardens is a very healthy reef slope, that offers a great opportunity for spotting nudibranchs and other macro life. Also seen here on occasion are solitary barracudas coming in for a cleaning. Coral Gardens is by far one of the nicest reefs in the area.
4. Lusong Gunboat
Length: 30 Meters
Maximum Depth: 20 meters
The Lusong Gunboat breaks the surface at low tide and reaches a maximum depth of 10 meters. The surrounding reef is really nice. It is common to see broadclub cuttlefish, parrot fish, anemone fish, and other common reef fish. Because of the shallow depth, the Lusong gunboat is usually the last dive of the day before we head back to the dive shop.
5. Kogyo Maru
Length: 130 meters
Maximum Depth: 36 meters
The Kogyo Maru was a Construction Supply Ship for the Imperial Japanese Navy. She now lies on her starboard side in 36 meters of seawater. In her holds you can find her supply of concrete now hardened in the shape of the bags it stored in. You can also see an old cement mixer, bulldozer, and roll of chain link fence. Fish life that can be seen here are razor (shrimp)fish, bat fish, snappers, groupers, lionfish, and sometimes crocodile fish.
6. Morazan (aka Olypmia)
Length: 100 meters
Maximum Depth: 25 Meters
The Morazan was an English passenger cargo vessel that was captured by the Imperial Japanese Navy and used for here war efforts. She sits on her starboard side in 25 meters of seawater. The Morazan's four massive cargo holds are empty, but the real treat is the pair of massive boilers in the engine room. This wreck is good for divers of all abilities. The big holds and the engine room are good for beginners. For more a more advanced route, it is possible to do a complete swim-through and pass from bow to stern without exiting the ship!
7. Irako
Length: 147 meters
Maximum Depth: 43 meters
The Irako was a refrigeration supply ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy. She sits nearly upright in 45 meters of water. Aside from the bridge, which took a direct hit, the Irako is pretty well intact. For advanced divers with the appropriate skill level, this wreck can be a lot of fun. Many of the routes are smaller and darker than the other wrecks in the area, and perfect buoyancy is a must. On the outside there is a big school of jacks that swim in a tornado like formation. The top of the wreck is also hangout for snappers, groupers, barracuda, and lionfish.
8. Olympia (aka Tangat)
Length: 122 meters
Maximum Depth: 30 meters
The Olympia is a cargo ship of unknown origin. Sitting upright, her large cargo holds offer good penetrations for beginners. One of the favorite penetrations is the locker room at the bow. Inside you can still see the coiled up cable used to haul up the anchor. On the deck level you can find a big school of lionfish. Scorpion fish are common all over this wreck, so watch your buoyancy. The sides of the Olympia are covered with black corals. It is also a good place to look for seahorses and ghost pipe fish.
9. Teru Kaze (aka East Tangat Gun Boat)
Length: 30 Meters
Maximum Depth: 20 meters
The Teru Kaze is a small gunboat sitting in shallow water on the East side of Tangat Island. The bow starts at 4 meters and she continues down on a slant. Relatively intact there are a few holds that you can penetrate. This is a common last dive of the day and a great place to hunt for macro critters.
10. CYC Island
Maximum depth: 20 meters
CYC Island is one of our training sites. The shallow sandy bottom at the front of the island is perfect for practicing skills. The reef starts at the front of the island and continues all the way around the back side. This is a really nice reef with the chance of spotting a variety of sea life.
11. Siete Picados (aka 7 Islands)
Maximum depth: 25 meters
Siete Picados is the local marine park. It is composes of seven small limestone islets. The strict no fishing and no anchoring policy has done wonders for the marine life. You can see groupers, sweetlips, batfish, angel fish, clown fish, and many other reef fish. Current here can be strong, and it makes for a really pretty drift dive.
12. Neptune's Wall
Maximum Depth: 30 meters
Neptune's Wall is a new addition to the list of Coron dive sites. While most of our reefs are gentle slopes, this is a vertical drop to 30 meters. The limestone that makes up the reef base has lots of crevices that are hiding spots for fish and other sea life. On days with high tidal flows this spot offers some relief from the current.
13. Twin Peaks
Maximum Depth: 25 meters
Twin Peaks is two rocky outcroppings with a nice reef surrounding it. It is very near the entrance to Barracuda Lake, and offers a good chance to spot one of our local turtles. Nice corals and a good variety of reef fish make this a very enjoyable, easy dive site. Twin peaks also has a shallow area popular with snorkelers.
14. Barracuda Lake
Maximum Depth: 30 meters
If you think you have done everything, think again. Diving Barracuda Lake is a very unique experience. The lake consists of fresh water sitting on top of salt water. The freshwater is a very comfortable 31 C. The top of the salt water layer is 38 C. No one is sure for the reason of the backwards thermocline, but there are a few theories. Stop by the dive shop and we can share them with you. The dramatic underwater rock formations make you feel as if you are on another planet.
