1. THE IRAKO, CORON ISLAND
Without a doubt the most famous location for wreck diving in the Phlippines. The sheer volume and variety of wrecks at depths from less than five up to 40 metres make the waters around Coron Island in northern Palawan the sine qua non of wreck diving. A Japanese supply fleet was sunk here in 1944 including freighters, a seaplane tender and gunboats. The cream of the crop is the Irako, a 147 metre refrigeration ship weighing nearly 10,000 tonnes. Still largely intact, it teems with big pelagics like yellow fin tuna as well as grouper, scorpion fish and lion fish. Expert divers can explore the inner quarters, from the wheel house all the way to the engine room. Nitrox recommended.
2. USS NEW YORK, SUBIC BAY
Just north of Manila, Subic Bay is another Mecca for wreck dive enthusiasts - the waters here are an era-spanning ship’s graveyard, featuring everything from Spanish galleons to Japanese patrol boats. Subic’s strategic location and long history as a harbour meant that it served as a naval base as early as 1900 - it also took a pounding from Japanese bombers and was occupied in 1942. It’s home to one of the most famous wreck in the philippines, the USS New York, which was built in 1891 and served in World War II. At a depth of 20m to 27m, this is definitely for experienced divers. There are lots of penetration points through gun placements and access to the mess and officer’s quarters are pretty easy.
3. PIONEER, MALAPASCUA
Another World War II wreck just off Malapascua Island near the larger island of Cebu, the Pioneer is not for the faint of heart. Starting at a narc-inducing 42 metres and descending to 54m, this is strictly for technical divers and is only accessed using trimix (oxygen, helium & nitrogen). What’s more, it’s only diveable a few days each month, so booking ahead with a local dive operator is adviseable. The payoff? More marine life than any of the other sites, all teeming around a gunboat that’s in remarkably good nick thanks to its depth. Expect to see sharks, rays, barracudas and groupers in large numbers.
Wreck diving.
Wreck diving.
Wreck diving.
Wreck diving.
Wreck diving.
4. THE AKITSUSHIMA, CORON
This is notable for being the only combat vessel in the Coron Bay area - she was sunk whilst anchored between Lajo and Mangalet Islands. A so-called seaplane tender, she features a large crane that was used to lower planes into the water, where they’d take off. Extensive damage to the back of the ship makes for a number of easy entry points for wreck penetration. A lot of details remain intact, including some gun placements - there’s also speculation that there may be live ammunition, so don’t move anything around!
5. EL CAPITAN, SUBIC BAY
Novice divers will love this wreck that descends from just 5m to 21m with easy acess for wreck penetration through the forward hold, which is wide open. What’s more, El Capitan - an American freighter launched in 1919 - attracts marine species in large numbers thanks to the extensive coral that’s accreted to it’s metal structure. You’re likely to see sweet lips, clownfish, wrasses, gobies, lobsters and tangs - and a lot of them! Like most wrecks in the area, visibility is great - around 15m and it takes just five minutes to reach by boat from the island.
