GUE Wreck Diving Trip
Coron, Philippines. 8-17 Sep 2023
Above the surface, Coron is majestic with its towering limestone islets and multi-coloured lagoons, but it's the WWII shipwrecks permanently entombed off its shores that attract divers to the region. If you are interested in genuine world war wrecks, Coron may already be on your bucket list.
Coron Bay, 24 September 1944
Around 9:00am on Sunday 24 Sep 1944, a US Navy strike force arrived at Coron, attacking the Japanese supply fleet at anchor around the islands. The heavy air strike was deadly, leaving behind a graveyard of vessels, including huge freighters which are still largely intact thanks to the sheltered waters around the islands. The wrecks are all between 5 and 40 metres deep, offering suitably experienced divers incredible penetration opportunities and extended dive times.
Target Wrecks
IJN AKITSUSHIMA 20-36m
One of the true warships sunk in Coron, The Akitsushima was a flying-boat tender, now lying on her port side. 25mm AA-machine guns can be seen alongside the massive crane lying on the seabed. The main exit near the back of the main deck was created by the lethal torpedo that took down the Akitsushima.
OKIKAWA MARU 12-26m
Entering the largest shipwreck in Coron Bay through the propeller shaft, you can view the engine rooms where oil barrels are located. In stronger currents you can often see schooling fish and sea turtles.
MORAZAN 'OLYMPIA' MARU 12-25m
This English-built freighter-liner was seized by the Imperial Japanese Navy in Shangai in Dec 1941. At 93m long, resting on her starboard side, divers can penetrate easily to see the two giant boilers inside.
KOGYO MARU 22-36m
After surviving an air strike in Manila 3 days prior, the Kogyo was attacked again by US dive-bombers in Coron and eventually sank. The engine rooms, six cargo holds and bridge are all accessible.
IJN IRAKO 32-40m
Measuring 145m in length, lying in 40m of water the Irako is a wreck for experienced divers. There are opportunities to penetrate into the wheelhouse, cargo holds, galley and engine rooms.
KYOKUZAN MARU 22-39m
An auxiliary freighter during the war, the Kyokuzan was one of the last ships to be sunk during the attack on 24 Sep 1944. At 135m long, she rests upright with her upper deck at 22m. Visibility is among the best in Coron and Japanese army staff cars and trucks can be found in the cargo holds.
Trip Details
Flying to Manila from Sydney on Philippine airlines takes around 8 hours, followed by a short scenic flight the next morning to Busuanga (Coron). We'll be collected from the airport and taken to our hotel, the Westown Lagoon Resort which boasts modern rooms with private balconies, swimming pool, daily housekeeping and 24hr front desk.
The hotel is located less than 5 minutes from the dive centre (our daily departure point). Doubles and Nitrox fills are included in the trip price.
Suitable for all GUE divers with Fundamentals Certification (Doubles Primer recommended) or higher.
$3,695 per person includes:
- Return flights from Sydney to Manila and Manila to Busuanga (Coron) with Philippine Airlines
- All airline and departure taxes
- Return airport transfers throughout
- 1 night twin share accommodation at Belmont Hotel, Manila
- 7 nights twin share accommodation at Westown Lagoon Resort, Coron
- Daily breakfast at both hotels and lunch on diving days
- 10 boat dives (up to 90min runtimes allowed)
- Twin tanks for all dives (twin cylinder rental included)
- Nitrox for all dives (Nitrox for all dives included)
- Wreck Sanctuary Fees
Exclusions:
- Travel insurance and excess luggage fees
- Meals other than specified
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
Join Duncan on Dive Centre Bondi's GUE Divers WWII wreck diving trip to Coron this September..