Diving the WWII shipwrecks of Coron Bay

Sangat Island

For over 30 years, Sangat Island Dive Resort has welcomed you to the unspoiled tip of Sangat Island, in the heart of an exceptional natural environment.
The resort offers 22 locally inspired bungalows, designed with eco-responsibility in mind to preserve the island's balance. Spacious, comfortable, and integrated into their surroundings, they offer an authentic experience between the sea and tropical nature.
On site, enjoy a restaurant and bar with ocean views, as well as an internationally renowned diving center, an ideal starting point for exploring spectacular seabeds, including the unmissable shipwrecks of Coron Bay.
An exclusive stay, combining serenity, nature and exploration.
Made by divers, for divers.

NATURE SIDE
A true jewel of biodiversity, rich in both nature and history. Its crystal-clear waters are dominated by incredibly diverse coral reefs, home to a multitude of marine species, some of which are endemic, such as the mandarin fish.
These reefs, which are part of a protected marine ecosystem, are essential to marine life and provide a perfect habitat for many endemic species.
The island is also a site of great historical importance. It lies near several Japanese warship wrecks, sunk during the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea in World War II. These wrecks, now covered in coral and teeming with fish, create a fascinating spectacle for divers. They bear witness to the past while serving as a vibrant underwater ecosystem, where nature reclaims its territory.
In addition to its marine waters, Sangat is also home to dense rainforests, mangroves, and wetlands, which support unique terrestrial biodiversity. Endemic birds, reptiles, and rare plants find refuge in these diverse ecosystems. This exceptional mix of terrestrial and marine wildlife, coral reefs, and historical remains makes Sangat a must-see destination for nature lovers, history buffs, and divers, while also being a vital site for the conservation of tropical ecosystems.

Sangat Island is entirely off the public electricity grid, enjoying complete self-sufficiency in electricity and water supply. Committed to environmentally responsible practices, they harness solar energy as their primary source of renewable power.
Sangat Island Resort is proud to be the only resort in the Philippines powered entirely by solar energy. Their 74 kW solar system efficiently powers the entire resort, including all air compressors, the desalination plant (drinking water source), ice machines, and refrigeration systems.
Diesel generators are maintained only as a backup solution.
Sangat Island Resort is proud to be the only resort in the Philippines powered entirely by solar energy. Their 74 kW solar system efficiently powers the entire resort, including all air compressors, the desalination plant (drinking water source), ice machines, and refrigeration systems.
Diesel generators are maintained only as a backup solution.
History
On September 24, 1944, at dawn, the sea at Coron Bay seemed motionless, almost indifferent. Beneath its surface, however, a fleet lay sleeping.
That day, amidst the roar of the skies, American aircraft launched from the aircraft carriers of Task Force 38 struck the Japanese ships sheltering around Coron. Within hours, oil tankers, supply ships, and armed cargo vessels—including the Akitsushima, the Okikawa Maru, the Irako, and the Kogyo Maru—were hit, set ablaze, and ripped open. They sank slowly, some coming to rest almost upright, as if striving to maintain their dignity to the very bottom.
The Battle of Coron Bay lacked the monumental scale of the great naval confrontations of the Pacific. It wasn't Midway. It wasn't Leyte. It was a surgical, relentless strike. A brief respite in the vastness of the war. But underwater, it became a world unto itself.
For these wrecks are not merely military relics. They are cathedrals of steel. At depths of 10, 20, 40 meters, the light filters in golden columns. The open holds have become havens. The metal plates are covered with sponges, soft corals, and alcyonarians. Schools of snapper replace the crews.
What was violence has become silence. What was fire has become coral.
Coron Bay is not just an exceptional dive site; it's a submerged graveyard where history still breathes. Every descent along a rusted hull is a journey through time. You're not just diving in the warm waters of the Philippines. You're diving into memory.
The Shipwrecks
Akitsushima
The only true warship among these wrecks, this Japanese seaplane carrier (~118 m) lies on its side at ≈22-36 m, with cranes, anti-aircraft guns and machinery still visible.
It is a fascinating dive site for advanced divers thanks to its complex structure, numerous fish hiding places, and military history.
Irako Maru
Large Japanese refrigerated ship (~147 m) resting almost upright between ≈ 34 – 45 m, intact despite the bombings, offering corridors, engine rooms and galleries to explore and attracting groupers, tuna and soft corals.
This is one of the most spectacular wrecks in Coron, especially for experienced divers, with abundant marine life and opportunities for deep penetration.
Ekkai Maru (Morazan)
This mixed cargo ship captured by the Japanese – often called Morazan by divers – lies on its side (≈12-25 m), with vast holds and accessible engine rooms, covered in coral and rich in tropical fish, ideal for Open Water to Advanced divers.
Okikawa Maru
Former Japanese oil tanker (~160 m), the largest wreck in Coron, resting at a depth of 10-26 m, very accessible to Open Water certified divers and above, with decks and holds covered in coral.
It features diverse marine life (razorfish, barracudas, lionfish), photogenic areas and opportunities for penetration (e.g., engine room and cargo areas).
Island Hopping in the Philippines
Kogyo Maru
Japanese cargo ship (~130-141 m) resting between 22 – 34 m deep, filled with equipment and often covered with corals, making for an engaging site for advanced divers.
Its narrow spaces and abundance of period objects make it an interesting historical and technical exploration.
Olympia Maru
Japanese freighter (~122 m) sunk in the bay, offering vast open holds ideal for intermediate dives, with regular visits from snapper and batfish.
Its wide profile and spacious decks make it a popular site for underwater photography.
Lusong Gunboat
Small building (approximately 25-30 m) sunk in shallow water (approximately 5-15 m), ideal for beginners or accessible snorkeling, with corals, tropical fish, and excellent marine life.
This shallow wreck offers an easy introduction to wreck diving in a safe and colourful environment.
All 3D models by Hulger Buss, Dive3D.eu
Contact Us
+639543249721

Philippines Underwater
Monday / Saturday
7:00 – 21:00
Sunday
9:00 – 17:00

