Minimum Diver Qualification – Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent.
Recommendation of Deep Diver & Wreck Diver qualifications to ensure your best experience on these WWII relics.
Palau
The Calamian Islands (often referred to as Coron) consists of over 80 islands and islets in the north of Palawan province. The main settlement of Coron Town on Busuanga Island is a lively fishing community geared heavily towards dive tourism, from here you can explore the spectacular islands and reefs of Coron Bay. Hidden amongst the jagged limestone cliffs are secluded lagoons and coves.
South of Busuanga there are the two other major islands of the Calamian Group: Culion Island and Coron Island.
Approximately 70% of Coron Island is made up of steep, black limestone cliffs, some reaching several hundred metres above sea level. Along the coastline are white sand beaches, coves and lagoons. Behind the steep limestone cliffs hides eight brackish lakes with crystal clear water and three smaller lakes with underground connections to the ocean. Coron Island is known for having the cleanest inland body of water in the Philippines, called Kayangan Lake.
Most divers come to Coron to visit one of the many WWII wrecks. These wrecks were sunk in the area during the air raid by 120 US aircraft on 24 September 1944. There are 14 wrecks which lie in the diveable depths between 5 – 40 metres deep. Most of the sunken wrecks in Coron Bay are between 100 to 200 metres in length. Most wrecks can be dived by beginners up to technical advanced wreck diver level
History of the Coron Wrecks
At 6:00 am on 24 September 1944, 180 Grumman H6F Hellcat and Grumman SB2C Helldiver planes took off from carriers of vice-admiral William F. Halsey’s task force 38 and headed for Coron. At the time this was the longest-range air attack ever launched from aircraft carriers, 340 miles from target and airborne for more than 6 hours. Several planes were lost after running out of fuel on the return trip; some were shot down by the Japanese fleet in Coron Bay. At 9:00 am the planes reached Coron and located at least 18 large Japanese vessels and started their attacks. After a 40 minute attack, the planes left, leaving a scene of devastation. Eight out of twelve of the Japanese supply ships sunk in the attack lie in Coron Bay.
Apart from the wrecks, there are beautiful dives along the walls of Coron Island, in Gutob Bay on the reefs between Busuanga and Culion with a variety of hard and soft coral, big fans, different nudibranchs, lionfish, crocodile fish and anemone fish. You can also dive in the warm, geothermal lakes on Coron Island.
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