Japanese Wrecks in Coron

Japanese Wrecks in Coron

Thank you, Quinn Kapuscinski, for allowing us to use your photos.

The Irako

About this wreck

The Irako was a Japanese refrigeration ship.

The ship was quite large at 9723 tons, 146.9 metres in overall length and 19 metres wide. The engines were two steam powered geared turbines (8300 shp) driving twin props. The steam came from 6 Kampon boilers; the engines provided a maximum speed of 17.5 knots.

Big groupers, schools of tuna and yellow fin, lion fish and scorpion fish live around this wreck. Two sea turtles live in the crumpled and folded metal of the superstructure.

The Irako is the deepest wreck we have here and is suitable only for the most competent divers. Often described as the 3 d’s, she is Deep, Dark and dangerous. But it is defiantly worth conquering her!

This dive is best made at deck level while breathing 32% Nitrox for a 50% increase in allowable bottom time. Penetration of the interior would require 30% or 28% Nitrox depending on which deck level you wish to swim through.

Max depth: 43 meters on the bottom, deck level at 28 to 35 meters.

  • At the mouth of Coron Bay at coordinates N 11*58. 059′, E 120*02. 412′
Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 2
    Deep Diver Specialty
  • 3
    Wreck Diver Specialty

The Irako

About this wreck

The Irako was a Japanese refrigeration ship.

The ship was quite large at 9723 tons, 146.9 metres in overall length and 19 metres wide. The engines were two steam powered geared turbines (8300 shp) driving twin props. The steam came from 6 Kampon boilers; the engines provided a maximum speed of 17.5 knots.

Big groupers, schools of tuna and yellow fin, lion fish and scorpion fish live around this wreck. Two sea turtles live in the crumpled and folded metal of the superstructure.

The Irako is the deepest wreck we have here and is suitable only for the most competent divers. Often described as the 3 d’s, she is Deep, Dark and dangerous. But it is defiantly worth conquering her!

This dive is best made at deck level while breathing 32% Nitrox for a 50% increase in allowable bottom time. Penetration of the interior would require 30% or 28% Nitrox depending on which deck level you wish to swim through.

Max depth: 43 meters on the bottom, deck level at 28 to 35 meters.

  • At the mouth of Coron Bay at coordinates N 11*58. 059′, E 120*02. 412′
Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 2
    Deep Diver Specialty
  • 3
    Wreck Diver Specialty

The Okikawa Maru

About this wreck

The Okikawa Maru was a Japanese tanker, 168 m long.

In length, width, and volume the largest of the Coron wrecks.

The deck is between 10m and 16m and is good for wreck dive beginners.

At this depth you may be able to make an hour-long dive.

If the Irako isn’t the best wreck dive in the Philippines then the Okikawa Maru certainly is!

This wreck is totally covered with beautiful corals and offers a large variety of marine-life.

There are many penetration possibilities for advanced wreck divers including penetrating up the propeller shaft from the outside of the ship all the way into the engine room.

Strong tidal currents often affect this wreck. Diving in strong currents lets you see the most fish. At the bow you can see a school of snappers and huge bat fish holding position into a slight current. Large fish shelter out of the current behind crumpled metal and inside of the deckhouses.

Max depth: 26 meters on the bottom, 10 to 16 meters on the deck.

  • Busuanga Island, 2 miles south of Conception
Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Open Water Diver
  • 2
    Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 3
    Experienced Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 4
    Penetration dive. Wreck Diver Specialty

The Okikawa Maru

About this wreck

The Okikawa Maru was a Japanese tanker, 168 m long.

In length, width, and volume the largest of the Coron wrecks.

The deck is between 10m and 16m and is good for wreck dive beginners.

At this depth you may be able to make an hour-long dive.

If the Irako isn’t the best wreck dive in the Philippines then the Okikawa Maru certainly is!

This wreck is totally covered with beautiful corals and offers a large variety of marine-life.

There are many penetration possibilities for advanced wreck divers including penetrating up the propeller shaft from the outside of the ship all the way into the engine room.

Strong tidal currents often affect this wreck. Diving in strong currents lets you see the most fish. At the bow you can see a school of snappers and huge bat fish holding position into a slight current. Large fish shelter out of the current behind crumpled metal and inside of the deckhouses.

Max depth: 26 meters on the bottom, 10 to 16 meters on the deck.

  • Busuanga Island, 2 miles south of Conception
Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Open Water Diver
  • 2
    Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 3
    Experienced Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 4
    Penetration dive. Wreck Diver Specialty

The Akitsushima

About this wreck

The Akitsushima was a Japanese Seaplane Tender.

The IJN Akitsushima was a seaplane tender/carrier. The ship displaced 4724 tons, had a length of 118 metres and was 15.7 metres wide. The ship was powered by four diesel engines driving twin props, a total of 8000 shp, giving a maximum speed of 19 knots.

Akitsushima was armed with 10, 25 mm anti-aircraft guns, four five inch (50 cal) guns and carried one large Kanwanishi flying boat.

The Akitsushima is a very big warship laying on her port side. She was hit near the stern where the flying boat rested on the metal tracks and sank immediately. The ship was almost torn into two pieces. The flying boat disappeared. Only half of the metal on the starboard side and half of the metal on the bottom of the ship kept the stern from separating from the rest of the ship. The internal damage is impressive.

The crane used for lifting the seaplane out of the water is intact. The crane is lying on the sandy bottom and attracts schools of giant batfish and barracudas.

One mounting of a 3-barreled AA (anti-aircraft) gun is still present at the front of the flying boat tracks.

This is a fascinating dive where you can see giant groupers, schools of barracuda hiding under the bow, and yellow fin tuna.

Due to depth and metal hazards within, no swim throughs are allowed without wreck diver certification. Wreck divers can make an impressive penetration into the engine room to see the four engines. The gears and machinery for operating the crane are the main objects of interest for a penetration into the stern.

This dive is best made while breathing 31% or 32% Nitrox for a 50% increase in allowable bottom time.

Max depth: 35 or 36 meters, average depth about 26 to 28 meters.

Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 2
    For penetration: Wreck Diver specialty

The Akitsushima

About this wreck

The Akitsushima was a Japanese Seaplane Tender.

The IJN Akitsushima was a seaplane tender/carrier. The ship displaced 4724 tons, had a length of 118 metres and was 15.7 metres wide. The ship was powered by four diesel engines driving twin props, a total of 8000 shp, giving a maximum speed of 19 knots.

Akitsushima was armed with 10, 25 mm anti-aircraft guns, four five inch (50 cal) guns and carried one large Kanwanishi flying boat.

The Akitsushima is a very big warship laying on her port side. She was hit near the stern where the flying boat rested on the metal tracks and sank immediately. The ship was almost torn into two pieces. The flying boat disappeared. Only half of the metal on the starboard side and half of the metal on the bottom of the ship kept the stern from separating from the rest of the ship. The internal damage is impressive.

The crane used for lifting the seaplane out of the water is intact. The crane is lying on the sandy bottom and attracts schools of giant batfish and barracudas.

One mounting of a 3-barreled AA (anti-aircraft) gun is still present at the front of the flying boat tracks.

This is a fascinating dive where you can see giant groupers, schools of barracuda hiding under the bow, and yellow fin tuna.

Due to depth and metal hazards within, no swim throughs are allowed without wreck diver certification. Wreck divers can make an impressive penetration into the engine room to see the four engines. The gears and machinery for operating the crane are the main objects of interest for a penetration into the stern.

This dive is best made while breathing 31% or 32% Nitrox for a 50% increase in allowable bottom time.

Max depth: 35 or 36 meters, average depth about 26 to 28 meters.

Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 2
    For penetration: Wreck Diver specialty

Kogyo Maru

About this wreck

The Kogyo Maru, was a Japanese freighter carrying construction materials for building a runway for the Japanese war effort in the Pacific.

The Kogyo Maru was built in 1938 by Uraga Dock Co Ltd, Uraga, Japan for Okada Gumi KK. The ship was 6353 tons, 129 mts long, and 18 mts wide. She was powered by two oil fuelled steam turbines (517Nhp) geared to a single shaft. The engines were built by Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd, Tokyo. Her home port was Osaka.

Lying on her starboard side in 34 meters of water the Kogyo Maru offers swim throughs into all six holds and through the engine room and bridge area. Kogyo Maru’s second hold contains an incline of cement bags which tumbled as the ship sank.

A small bulldozer draws your attention as you swim into the hold. Complete but encrusted, you can imagine the operator sitting in the seat and working the control levers to carve a runway out of a tropical island. Engrossed in the bulldozer you might fail to look up the incline of cement sacks and so miss the tractor and air compressor perched above it. Take the time to swim up and look at both pieces and see how many of the engine parts you can identify. It’s complete. Check out the metal wheels on the tractor.

This dive is best when made while breathing 31% or 32% Nitrox for a 50% increase in allowable bottom time.

If you dive the Kogyo Maru with a 100 cubic foot tank of Nitrox 32 you have enough gas mixture and a long enough No Decompression Limit to cover the whole ship on one dive.

Max depth: 34 m, average 24-26m

Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 2
    Wreck Diver Specialty

Kogyo Maru

About this wreck

The Kogyo Maru, was a Japanese freighter carrying construction materials for building a runway for the Japanese war effort in the Pacific.

The Kogyo Maru was built in 1938 by Uraga Dock Co Ltd, Uraga, Japan for Okada Gumi KK. The ship was 6353 tons, 129 mts long, and 18 mts wide. She was powered by two oil fuelled steam turbines (517Nhp) geared to a single shaft. The engines were built by Ishikawajima Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd, Tokyo. Her home port was Osaka.

Lying on her starboard side in 34 meters of water the Kogyo Maru offers swim throughs into all six holds and through the engine room and bridge area. Kogyo Maru’s second hold contains an incline of cement bags which tumbled as the ship sank.

A small bulldozer draws your attention as you swim into the hold. Complete but encrusted, you can imagine the operator sitting in the seat and working the control levers to carve a runway out of a tropical island. Engrossed in the bulldozer you might fail to look up the incline of cement sacks and so miss the tractor and air compressor perched above it. Take the time to swim up and look at both pieces and see how many of the engine parts you can identify. It’s complete. Check out the metal wheels on the tractor.

This dive is best when made while breathing 31% or 32% Nitrox for a 50% increase in allowable bottom time.

If you dive the Kogyo Maru with a 100 cubic foot tank of Nitrox 32 you have enough gas mixture and a long enough No Decompression Limit to cover the whole ship on one dive.

Max depth: 34 m, average 24-26m

Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 2
    Wreck Diver Specialty

Olympia Maru

About this wreck

The Olympia Maru was a Japanese Freighter. (Previously called Tangat Maru)

The Olympia Maru was 122 metres long and almost 17 metres wide, displacing 5612 tons.

The ship was originally powered by a steam engine but during 2 June to 2 August 1930, an oil two stroke six cylinder engine producing 582hp was installed.

The ship was built for Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha Ltd and was owned by them right up till it sank. It was requisitioned by the Japanese Defence Forces during the War but was still owned by Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha Ltd.

A very good dive spot with a variety of marine life. Large shoals of banana fish, giant bat fish and giant puffer fish, especially around the mast, bow and stern. There are also specimen crocodile fish and scorpion fish so be careful where you put your hands.

Easy penetration at the cargo rooms. It offers a good opportunity to discover wreck diving.

Max depth: 28-30 meters, deck level 18-24 meters

  • The wreck is sitting upright in approximately 30 mts of water and located very close to Tangat Island in Coron Bay.

Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 2
    Wreck Diver Specialty

Olympia Maru

About this wreck

The Olympia Maru was a Japanese Freighter. (Previously called Tangat Maru)

The Olympia Maru was 122 metres long and almost 17 metres wide, displacing 5612 tons.

The ship was originally powered by a steam engine but during 2 June to 2 August 1930, an oil two stroke six cylinder engine producing 582hp was installed.

The ship was built for Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha Ltd and was owned by them right up till it sank. It was requisitioned by the Japanese Defence Forces during the War but was still owned by Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha Ltd.

A very good dive spot with a variety of marine life. Large shoals of banana fish, giant bat fish and giant puffer fish, especially around the mast, bow and stern. There are also specimen crocodile fish and scorpion fish so be careful where you put your hands.

Easy penetration at the cargo rooms. It offers a good opportunity to discover wreck diving.

Max depth: 28-30 meters, deck level 18-24 meters

  • The wreck is sitting upright in approximately 30 mts of water and located very close to Tangat Island in Coron Bay.

Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 2
    Wreck Diver Specialty

Lusong Gunboat

About this wreck

The Lusong Gunboat wreck was either a gunboat or submarine hunter.

The stern breaks the surface at low tide.

This wreck is great for snorkeling.

It is nicely covered with hard corals and offers a nice variety of fish life. There are good opportunities for wreck dive photographers.

The dive is good as a “dive between dives.”

Max depth: 11 meters.

  • In front of the east side of Lusong Island.

Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Skin Diver
  • 2
    Open Water Diver

Lusong Gunboat

About this wreck

The Lusong Gunboat wreck was either a gunboat or submarine hunter.

The stern breaks the surface at low tide.

This wreck is great for snorkeling.

It is nicely covered with hard corals and offers a nice variety of fish life. There are good opportunities for wreck dive photographers.

The dive is good as a “dive between dives.”

Max depth: 11 meters.

  • In front of the east side of Lusong Island.

Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Skin Diver
  • 2
    Open Water Diver

Ekkai Maru

About this wreck

The Ekkai Maru is a beautiful wreck dive site where you can observe groupers, sweetlips, occasionally turtles and sea snakes.

Hard corals cover the port side, which is only 12 to 16 meters below the surface. Many scorpion fish hang out around the wreck area. Keep your eyes open and stay neutrally buoyant!

The big cargo rooms and the engine room allow easy penetration of this wreck for Wreck Diver Certified divers.

If you dive from 10am to 2pm on a sunny day you get a cathedral like effect from the beams of sunlight entering the cargo holds through the holes in the port side.

The two massive boilers in the centre of the ship are a big attraction on this dive. You can pass behind the boilers and see the damage resulting from one of the bomb strikes that disabled the ship.

It is possible to do a swim-through and pass from bow to stern without exiting the ship.

Max. depth: 25 meters, average about 15 meters

Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Open Water Diver
  • 2
    Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 3
    Wreck Diver Specialty

Ekkai Maru

About this wreck

The Ekkai Maru is a beautiful wreck dive site where you can observe groupers, sweetlips, occasionally turtles and sea snakes.

Hard corals cover the port side, which is only 12 to 16 meters below the surface. Many scorpion fish hang out around the wreck area. Keep your eyes open and stay neutrally buoyant!

The big cargo rooms and the engine room allow easy penetration of this wreck for Wreck Diver Certified divers.

If you dive from 10am to 2pm on a sunny day you get a cathedral like effect from the beams of sunlight entering the cargo holds through the holes in the port side.

The two massive boilers in the centre of the ship are a big attraction on this dive. You can pass behind the boilers and see the damage resulting from one of the bomb strikes that disabled the ship.

It is possible to do a swim-through and pass from bow to stern without exiting the ship.

Max. depth: 25 meters, average about 15 meters

Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Open Water Diver
  • 2
    Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 3
    Wreck Diver Specialty

Other Dive Sites

East Tangat Gunboat

The East Tangat Gunboat was a small gunboat or submarine hunter 40 meters long.

This dive site is good for wreck diving beginners and underwater photographers. It is also a lovely dive between deeper wreck sites.

The wreck starts at only 3 meters down so even snorkelers can see the shape and explore the bow of the ship.

Max depth: 22 meters.

  • Inclined on the coral reef on the east side of Tangat Island.

Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Skin Diver
  • 2
    Open Water Diver

Nanshin Maru Tanker

The Nanshin Maru Tanker was a Civilian tanker approx 834 gt.

The so-called “Black Island Wreck” can be easily identified as a small tanker converted to carry specific fuel (gasoline, Diesel, lube oil etc.) in small isolated tanks for replenishment of land-based depots.

The ship is approximately 50 meters long sitting upright on a sandy bottom.

This dive site is perfect for beginner wreck divers and underwater photographers. It is a beautiful dive in clear water. You can see plenty of scorpion fish, lion fish, trumpet fish, groupers, and bat fish.

Max depth: 32 meters. The wreck starts in 21-meter deep water.

  • Close to Black Island Beach in front of the stranded vessel.

Recommended certification level
  • 1
    Advanced Open Water Diver
  • 2
    Wreck Diver Specialty