WW2 Wreck Diving in the Philippines
Composed of 7,107 islands, the Philippines features many beach attractions and diving sites. A number of sunken World War II ships and aircrafts, mostly Japanese fleets, are popular wreck diving sites in various areas of the country. Most wreck diving spots are located in the Philippines’ southern Luzon and central Visayan regions. These are easily accessible through nearby diving groups and equipment rental houses, diving schools with licensed instructors and resort packages that offer many options for divers who want to experience wreck diving.
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Philippine Diving Season
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Most diving sites are fully booked from March to May, the summer season in the Philippines. The summer months provide divers the luxury of time to enjoy underwater adventures in the considerably calm waters. Diving during the rainy season from June to October can be quite tricky as the unpredictability of the weather, ranging from calm and summerlike to windy and stormy, can significantly affect diving schedules. During the summer season, people can expect a temperature range of about 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The colder months offer temperatures that typically range between 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This clearly shows that the temperature in the Philippines is almost the same for the entire year.
Coron, Palawan
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Coron, Palawan, is a popular wreck diving site in the Philippines. Other than being famous for numerous caves, lagoons, beaches, and more than 200 islands and islets filled with rare Philippine species, it is also renowned for its many wreck diving attractions. Coron features more than 30 sunken Japanese naval vessels and U.S. ships mostly from WWII.
One favorite site for many divers is the Japanese wreck of the Okikawa Maru. After a bombing attack by the Americans in 1944, the ship sank to the bottom of the site. Divers can see the whole front of the ship broken and twisted while a variety of corals, hydroids and sponges surround it. Other wreck diving sites in Coron include the Kyokuzan wreck, a Japanese cargo ship with cars and trucks in its cargo holds; Olympia Maru wreck, a Japanese army cargo ship; Kogyo Maru wreck, a Japanese navy auxiliary supply ship; and Tangat wreck, a Japanese freighter and cargo ship.
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Malapascua, Cebu
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Malapascua is a divers haven with many promising dive sites. Adding to its charm are its wreck sites: the Pioneer wreck, buried deep in the waters for about 140 to 170 feet, and the Lighthouse wreck, only 15 feet below the water surface and easily accessible even by novice divers.
Because of its depth, the Pioneer wreck, a 200-feet Japanese gunboat used during WWII, is still in great condition. As divers descend, they can see guns pointing towards them. The wreck sank in an upright position. It features a diverse marine life filled with sharks, rays and barracuda. The deep dive to this site can accommodate only those trained in decompression diving.
On the other hand, the Lighthouse wreck is a shallow dive to a Japanese WWII landing craft that was bombed just before landing. It had a large shipment of cement destined for gun emplacement. The rocks around the site are actually bags of cement from the wreck. Divers can see hermit crabs, octopus, pipefish and banded sea snakes around the area.
Subic Bay, Zambales
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Subic, in the province of Zambales--once the largest U.S. naval base outside America--is now home to many popular wreck diving sites. The USS New York, an original WWI battle cruiser, sank at the approach of Japanese forces in 1941. It lies about 98 feet below the water surface, where its photogenic 12-inch cannons are still in place. Sea creatures abound in this wreck including jacks, scorpion fish, spotted rays and groupers.
The El Capitan is a small freighter lying on its side just 60 feet below the water surface. Located near the inner channel marker of Ilanin Bay, this site is ideal for new divers with basic wreck training. The Seian Maru is a Japanese cargo vessel that sank during an encounter with the U.S. Navy in 1945. Sitting on its port side in 90 feet of water, it is now home to countless species of fish and other aquatic creatures. There are sites with smaller wrecks such as the Japanese patrol boat situated in Triboa Bay at a depth of 65 to 82 feet. It sits upright on its keel and features many colorful fish and corals.
Nasugbu, Batangas
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Nasugbu, Batangas, is near the popular tourist commercial area Tagaytay in the neighboring Philippine province of Cavite. Most part of Nasugbu is surrounded by water, making it a favorite beach destination by both local and international tourists. A Japanese freighter sank during the liberation of the Philippines by U.S. forces in 1945. The site is called the Hamilo Cove Wreck, which can be seen through a silty, low-visibility dive of about five to 30 feet. The wreck is buried about 25 to 40 feet below the water surface. The site features many schools of stonefish, batfish and lionfish.
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