El Nido is famous for limestone lagoons, reef walls and swim-through caves, but there is one thing its dive sites largely lack: big shipwrecks. For that, divers head north to Coron, where a fleet of Japanese World War II ships lies on the seabed of Coron Bay and around Busuanga Island. It is consistently ranked among the best wreck diving destinations on the planet, and it is only a ferry ride from El Nido.
This guide focuses on Coron’s WWII wrecks specifically for certified divers based in El Nido who want to add a wreck diving side trip to their Palawan itinerary in 2026. We list the seven wrecks most worth your time, rank them by difficulty, and explain how to get from El Nido to Coron, what certifications you need and what it all costs.
Why Coron Has So Many Wrecks
On 24 September 1944, during the Philippine campaign of World War II, US Navy carrier aircraft launched a long-range strike on a fleet of Japanese supply ships and support vessels sheltering around Coron Bay and Busuanga. Within hours, more than a dozen ships were sunk. They have since become artificial reefs covered in hard and soft corals, sponges and schools of fish, at depths ranging from just below the surface to over 40 meters.
The US Naval History and Heritage Command holds records on the 1944 carrier operations in the Philippines, and many Coron dive shops give historical briefings before each dive. These are war graves for some of those who died aboard, so respectful behavior underwater matters.
The 7 Best WWII Wrecks Near Coron
The table below gives an overview. Depths are approximate and vary with tide and which part of the wreck you visit.
| Wreck | Original role | Approx. depth | Level | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okikawa Maru | Fleet oil tanker | 10–26 m | Intermediate to advanced | Huge, coral-covered deck; possible currents |
| Akitsushima | Seaplane tender (warship) | 20–38 m | Advanced | The only true warship; crane and gun mounts |
| Irako | Refrigerated provision ship | 28–43 m | Advanced / technical | Often the best visibility; large fish life |
| Kogyo Maru | Freighter | 18–34 m | Intermediate to advanced | Cargo holds with construction materials and cement |
| Olympia Maru | Freighter | 18–30 m | Intermediate | Good introduction to penetration with a guide |
| Morazan Maru | Cargo ship | 15–25 m | Beginner to intermediate | Lies on its side, abundant marine life |
| Lusong Gunboat | Small gunboat or auxiliary vessel | 0–11 m | Beginner and snorkelers | Stern almost breaks the surface; great for photos |
1. Okikawa Maru
A large tanker, the Okikawa Maru is one of Coron’s most impressive dives, with its deck now a garden of corals and sponges. Its size means you will only see part of it on one dive. Currents can be strong, so it suits divers comfortable with drift conditions.
2. Akitsushima
The Akitsushima was a purpose-built Imperial Japanese Navy seaplane tender, which makes it a favorite with history buffs. It lies on its side, and the large crane once used to lift flying boats is still recognizable. Its depth makes it an advanced dive.
3. Irako
Often described as one of the best wrecks in Coron, the Irako sits deeper than most, which helps keep visibility high and attracts big groupers, scorpionfish and schooling fish. Many operators require advanced certification and good air consumption, and some treat it as a technical dive.
4. Kogyo Maru
This freighter lies on its starboard side with holds still containing parts of its cargo, including construction materials. Guided penetration lets trained divers explore the holds safely.
5. Olympia Maru
A popular wreck for intermediate divers taking their first guided steps inside a wreck, with relatively easy access and plenty of light through openings.
6. Morazan Maru
Shallower and more forgiving, the Morazan Maru is a great first wreck dive. Its hull is covered in corals and attracts batfish, lionfish and schools of fusiliers.
7. Lusong Gunboat
The Lusong Gunboat is so shallow that part of it can be seen from the surface at low tide, making it perfect for snorkelers and beginner divers. Nearby, the shallow “Skeleton Wreck” is another easy snorkeling stop on many Coron tours.
Getting From El Nido to Coron
There are three main ways to reach Coron’s wrecks from El Nido. We compare ferry and flight options in detail in our Coron to El Nido ferry vs flight guide.
| Option | Time | Approx. cost (2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast ferry El Nido to Coron | About 4–5 hours | PHP 1,800–2,800 one way | Most travelers; departures usually in the morning |
| Multi-day expedition boat | 3–5 days | Higher; includes meals, camping or lodges | Adventurous travelers who want island camping on the way |
| Dive liveaboard | 4–7 days | Highest; includes multiple dives daily | Serious divers who want to maximize dives |
| Flights via Manila | Most of a day | Varies widely | Rarely worth it unless ferries are suspended |
Ferries can be cancelled in rough weather, particularly between June and October. Build a buffer day into your plans. For an island-camping route, see our Tao expedition boat trip guide.
Certifications and Skills You Will Need
Coron’s wrecks cover a wide range of depths, so your certification level determines which wrecks you can visit:
- Open Water (to about 18 m): Lusong Gunboat, Morazan Maru and the shallower parts of some other wrecks.
- Advanced Open Water (to about 30 m): Most of the classic wrecks, including Olympia, Kogyo and Okikawa Maru.
- Wreck Diver specialty: Required by most shops for guided penetration. A course such as the PADI Wreck Diver course can often be completed in Coron itself over two days.
- Deep or technical training: Recommended for the Irako and the deeper parts of the Akitsushima.
Never enter a wreck without proper training and a guide. Wrecks can contain silt that destroys visibility in seconds, sharp metal and confusing passageways. Organizations like Divers Alert Network (DAN) offer dive accident insurance, which is strongly recommended for deep and wreck diving.
Costs and Booking Tips
Coron dive shops typically sell day trips with two or three wreck dives, lunch on the boat and equipment rental. As a rough 2026 guide:
- Two to three wreck dives with lunch: around PHP 4,500–6,500 per person including gear.
- Wreck Diver specialty course: often PHP 15,000–22,000.
- Coron Island environmental and site fees: usually charged separately or bundled in tour prices.
Book a day or two ahead in peak season (December to May). Ask the shop about group sizes, guide-to-diver ratios and whether they offer nitrox, which is useful for repetitive dives in the 25–30 m range.
Wreck Etiquette and Safety Underwater
Coron’s wrecks have survived for more than 80 years, but they are slowly collapsing as steel corrodes. Every careless fin kick or grab speeds up that process. Follow these rules on every dive:
- Take nothing. Removing artifacts, from bottles to portholes, is illegal and disrespectful. Many of these ships are also final resting places.
- Don’t touch the hull. Corals, sponges and hydroids growing on the metal are fragile, and some, like fire coral, sting.
- Perfect your buoyancy. Use frog kicks inside or near wrecks to avoid stirring up silt, and keep your gauges and octopus clipped close.
- Watch your gas. Depths of 25–35 m eat through air quickly. Turn the dive earlier than you would on a shallow reef and follow your guide’s signals.
- Respect currents. Some wrecks sit in channels where tides create strong flow. Descend and ascend on the mooring or anchor line when instructed.
- Carry a torch. Even on outside swims, a light reveals colors and creatures hiding in shadows.
If you have not dived for a while, ask for a refresher or start with the shallowest wreck. Staying well within your limits is what keeps a wreck trip fun rather than stressful, and Coron’s guides are used to tailoring dives to mixed groups.
Combining El Nido Reefs and Coron Wrecks
The two destinations complement each other perfectly. Spend three or four days in El Nido diving reefs, walls and caves, then take the ferry to Coron for two or three days of wrecks, plus Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake. Read our El Nido scuba diving guide for the reef side, and our El Nido vs Coron comparison to balance your days.
A sensible rule is to leave at least 18 to 24 hours between your last dive and any flight, so finish your dives before travelling on from Coron’s Busuanga airport. Keep this in mind when scheduling the order of your trip.
If you would rather fly out of El Nido, reverse the route: start in Coron with the wrecks, take the ferry south to El Nido, and finish with a non-diving day of island hopping, kayaking or beach time before your flight. Non-divers in your group will not be bored in either place either, thanks to snorkeling tours, lakes, hot springs and lagoons. Our snorkeling vs scuba guide can help mixed groups plan days that work for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you do wreck diving in El Nido?
El Nido’s dive sites are mainly reefs, walls and caves rather than large wrecks. For WWII wreck diving, most divers travel to Coron by ferry or boat.
How far is Coron from El Nido?
The fast ferry between El Nido and Coron takes about four to five hours, depending on the operator and sea conditions.
Do I need Advanced Open Water for Coron wrecks?
Open Water divers can visit shallow wrecks like the Lusong Gunboat and Morazan Maru, but Advanced Open Water is recommended for most classic wrecks, and Wreck Diver training is required for penetration.
Which Coron wreck is best for beginners?
The Lusong Gunboat is the easiest, starting almost at the surface. The Morazan Maru is a good next step for newly certified divers.
When is the best time for Coron wreck diving?
The dry season from about November to May offers calmer seas for both diving and the El Nido–Coron ferry, though the wrecks can be dived year-round in good weather.
Featured image: Ryan Sia via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
