Wreck Dives

The most popular and historically interesting dive locations around Sangat are always the wreck sites. Just a few of these fascinating pieces of war-time history include Japanese gun boats and sub chasers, cargo and supply vessels, a sea plane tender and more.

Those interested in reviewing the historical background of Sangat Island and Coron Bay during World War II – as well as a number of authentic vintage photographs of the American air attack which dispatched many of these vessels to their final resting place, please click here.

To view individual artist-renderings of each wreck location described below – including each site’s physical location in relation to Sangat Island – please click on any of the thumbnail images shown on the left.

1. THE SANGAT SUB CHASER

This wreck, located on the eastern-side of Sangat Island, is a perfect location for beginner divers, underwater photographers, or as a quick and easy dive before or after deeper wreck locations.

With the bow laying a scant 3-meters below the surface, this location can also be enjoyed by snorkelers. Overall depth: 3 to 18 meters.

Please Note: due to it’s overall size and shape, this wreck has historically been referred to as The Sangat Gunboat; the recent discovery of an onboard sonar unit now indicates, however, that this vessel was in all probability a sub-chaser.

REQUIREMENTS: Open Water Diver

2. THE OLYMPIA MARU

This 160 meter site offers a large variety of marine life; large shoals of tropical fish including Banana fish, Giant Bat fish, and Giant Puffers can frequently be seen around the bow, stern and mast areas.

Sitting upright on the seabed, this wreck offers many options for easy penetration into various cargo-hold areas. Overall depth: 18 to 30 meters.

Please Note: this wreck was – until recently – unidentified and therefore simply called The Tangat Wreck; recent historical reexamination of the wreck’s location and physical characteristics now confirm that this vessel is The Olympia Maru.

REQUIREMENTS: Open Water Diver, Advanced OWD, Wreck Diver

3. THE MORAZAN

Hard coral blankets the port side of this beautiful 120-meter site where Giant Groupers, Sweet Lips, sea snakes and turtles can frequently be found. Scorpion fish are also frequently spotted around this area so keep your eyes open and make sure you’re well buoyant!

The port side of the hull lies only 14 to 18 meters below the surface with a maximum wreck-depth of 26 meters. The large cargo compartments and engine room allow for easy penetration.

Please Note: this wreck was previously misidentified as The Olympia Maru; recent historical reexamination of the wreck’s location and physical characteristics now confirm that this vessel is actually The Morazon.

REQUIREMENTS: Open Water Diver, Advanced OWD, Wreck Diver

4. THE KYOGO MARU

A wide range of coral covers the port side of this 160-meter site where many types of fish, including big Groupers, frequently congregate.

Anti-Aircraft guns remain discernable on the top deck of this wreck; a cement mixer, antique bulldozer and other construction materials can be found within this vessel’s large cargo hold areas. Wreck has a depth range of 24 to 34 meters; easy hull penetration can be found in numerous areas.

REQUIREMENTS: Open Water Diver, Advanced OWD, Wreck Diver

5. THE LUSONG GUNBOAT

Located in front of Lusong Island, this wreck is nicely covered with hard coral and offers a wide variety of fish life. Perfect for snorkelers, the stern breaks the surface at low tide with a maximum bow depth of only 12 meters.

This site also holds many creative opportunities for wreck photographers or as a quick dive-between-dives. Overall depth: 3 to 12 meters.

REQUIREMENTS: Skin Diver, Open Water Diver

6. THE IRAKO MARU

This massive 200-meter refrigeration vessel, resting upright on the sea bed, is frequently home to Giant Groupers, as well as shoals of Tuna, Yellow Fin, Lion and Scorpion fish.

Penetration opportunities, among others, include the machine shop compartment, where an old-style metal lathe, bench drill and other metal production machinery can still be seen. Overall depth: 28 to 40 meters.

REQUIREMENTS: Advanced OWD, Deep Diver, Wreck Diver

7. THE AKITSUSHIMA

Located between Culion and Busuanga Islands, near Manglet Island, the warship Akitsushima is laying on her starboard side after being hit amidships and sinking almost immediately. Her final sandy-bottomed resting place is frequently besieged by Giant Grouper as wall as shoals of Bat fish, Barracuda, Tuna and Yellow Fin.

Some of this wreck’s most impressive features include a giant seaplane crane structure, deck-mounted anti-aircraft guns, and shell-loading conveyors. Overall depth: 26 to 38 meters.

REQUIREMENTS: Advanced OWD, Wreck Diver

8. THE OKIKAWA MARU

Located near Busuanga – approximately 2 kilometers from Concepcion Island – this sunken tanker is completely covered in a thick carpet of coral and home to a vast variety of marine life.

Since the top deck ranges between 10 and 16 meters from the surface, this wreck is a good site for beginner divers. Wreck divers can also explore inner spaces due to an ample supply of penetration voids. Overall depth: 10 to 26 meters. Strong tidal currents often affect this wreck.

Please Note: this wreck was previously misidentified as The Taiei Maru; recent historical reexamination of the wreck’s location and physical characteristics now confirm that this vessel is actually The Okikawa Maru.

REQUIREMENTS: Open Water Diver, Advanced OWD, Wreck Diver

9. THE SKELETON GUNBOAT

This 25-meter wreck, located near Coron Island, provides a shallow, beach accessible dive opportunity perfect for those just beginning their scuba training.

Inclined at a 45-degree angle, the reef which surrounds this wreck also makes a pleasant and colorful coral dive. Overall depth: 22 to 25 meters.

REQUIREMENTS: Open Water Diver

10. THE KYOKUZAN MARU

This huge 180-meter wreck, located Northeast of Busuanga in Maricaban Bay, remains generally intact and upright on the sandy seabed. This particular site usually offers 20-meter or more visibility and an exciting dive experience.

Depth of upper deck levels range from 22 to 28 meters; penetrations into the vessel’s cargo holds are easily made and reveal a number of Japanese staff vehicles and trucks can still be discerned. Overall depth: 22 to 40 meters.

REQUIREMENTS: Advanced Open Water Diver, Wreck Diver

11. THE NANSHIN MARU

While not a World War II vintage relic of particular historical interest, the 45-meter remains of this post-war Philippine vessel (locally referred to as the Nanshin Maru) still makes for a fascinating dive.

Sitting upright on a sandy bottom, this wreck is a perfect adventure for beginner wreck divers with the added bonus of frequent sightings of Scorpion and Lion fish, Trumpet fish, Bat fish and more.

The extraordinarily clear visibility of this location also makes this wreck site ideal for night dives and underwater photography. Overall depth: 21 to 32 meters.

REQUIREMENTS: Advanced Open Water Diver, Wreck Diver