Everything about Shipwreck Diving in Coron, Palawan

My happy face in Coron

Coron’s underwater graveyard of shipwrecks has a history straight out of a war movie. 🎥 During World War II, the Japanese Imperial Navy thought they’d found a safe hideout in Palawan’s coves—but in 1944, the U.S. forces had other plans. 💥 A dozen ships were sent to their watery graves, transforming Coron into an underwater videography paradise where history and adventure collide.

Diving here feels like time-traveling beneath the waves—except instead of a time machine, you’ve got fins and a dive tank. Every descent connects you with these historic giants in their final resting place, frozen in time yet teeming with marine life. 🐠💨

Diving the Akitsushima Wreck – A Jaw-Dropping Encounter

Inside the shipwreck is DARK. Really really dark.

If there’s one dive that made my jaw drop (luckily, my regulator kept it in place), it was the Akitsushima, a Coron Shipwreck. This beast of a seaplane tender still holds onto its identity, with a massive crane arm standing as a symbol of its past might. 💪🚢

As I descended, the ship’s outline emerged through the haze—it was like a ghost from another era. Chills. Swimming through its cargo hold and exploring its twisted corridors, I could almost hear the echoes of history. If shipwrecks could talk, this one would have some wild war stories. And capturing this eerie beauty on camera? Pure underwater videography gold. 🎬🌊

This is my dive in Akitsushima:

How Many Shipwreck Dive Sites Are There? 🤿

Imagine over a dozen sunken relics scattered across Coron’s reefs! There are about 12 famous wrecks waiting to be explored, each with its own personality—from cargo ships to gunboats. Some are shallow enough for freedivers and snorkelers (yes, you can witness history without a scuba tank!), while others lurk in the deep, reserved for the brave scuba enthusiasts. One wreck even lets you swim through its eerie corridors—think of it as an underwater haunted house… but with fish instead of ghosts. 👻🐟

What You’ll See in Coron Shipwrecks 👀

Into the Akitsushima darkness (35 meters deep)

Coron’s wrecks are an underwater dreamscape, packed with marine life, coral growth, and a touch of mystery. Rather than just describing it, why not see it for yourself?

🎥 Check out my YouTube video of diving in the Akitsushima Shipwreck—trust me, it’s worth the watch!

Best Time of Year to Go 📅☀️

The prime months for diving in Coron are December to May, when the sea is calm and visibility is at its best. But let’s keep it real—Coron’s visibility isn’t exactly Maldives-clear. Instead, you get a plankton-rich, moody, cinematic diving experience. And honestly? That’s what makes it incredible for underwater videography!

These waters are thriving with life, thanks to the nutrients that keep coral and fish populations booming. So yes, sometimes the wrecks loom out of the shadows like ghost ships—but doesn’t that make it even more thrilling? It’s like filming a lost chapter of history every time you dive. 🎥🤿

Coming out of Akitsushima in of the small windows

How to Get to Coron 🚀

Coron is off the beaten path, but totally worth the trip. Fly into Manila, then take a quick domestic flight to Busuanga Airport in Coron. From there, it’s just a short drive to town.

Feeling adventurous? If you’re coming from El Nido, skip the boring flights and hop on a multi-day boat expedition. ⛵ These aren’t your typical ferries—they’re rustic, wild, off-the-grid adventures with stops for snorkeling, beach camping, and exploring hidden lagoons along the way.

So, are you ready to dive into history and capture some epic underwater videography in Coron? Let’s go! 🎬🌊