Coron
Welcome to a diver's playground where each descent feels like swimming through history. Renowned for its World War II (WWII) shipwreck collection, Coron, Palawan is one of the highly sought diving destinations in the Philippines.
Beyond the wrecks, diverse diving experiences await. From Coron's hidden gems to the best-known underwater wonders, each site unravels a distinct adventure, offering a unique thrill for divers of all levels.
Dimipac Island
Located off the northern part of Busanga lies a hidden yet captivating diving destination known as Dimipac Island. It showcases unique diving experiences with two primary dive sites on its eastern and western ends. Its local community practices have played a vital role in the preservation of the island's vibrant marine biodiversity. This diving spot is approximately 45-80 minutes away from Discovery Coron, making it an accessible stop for day trips and excursions.
Kyokuzan Maru
Another hidden gem among Coron's captivating diving spots is Kyokuzan Maru, offering divers a rare look at one of the well-preserved WWII Japanese shipwrecks. Time stands still beneath the waves, where remnants of a sunken piece of history serve as home to a vibrant marine life. Its towering structure with a depth of up to 42 meters makes it an ideal dive site for historical and wreck enthusiasts. Highly recommended for advanced divers.
Apo Reef
Apo Reef is the largest coral reef in the Philippines and 2nd biggest in the world, with the Great Barrier reef in Australia coming in at 1st. The reef surrounding Apo Mayor is home to 385 species of colorful marine fishes, including sharks, stingrays, mantas, tropical fish and morays, including the endangered Green Sea and Hawksbill turtles as well as 500 species of soft and branching types of hard corals. It also hosts 47 species of migratory and resident birds. There are walls to explore as well as a small, picturesque, shallow wreck now completely covered by soft and hand corals and crustaceans.
Calauit Island
Nestled off the northern coast of Palawan, Calauit Island is a breathtaking sanctuary of biodiversity, offering a truly unique escape for nature lovers and eco-adventurers. Best known for its African wildlife reserve, the island presents a surreal experience where giraffes and zebras roam freely across tropical landscapes.
Calauit’s wonders extend far beyond its savannah. Get a chance to witness the gentle dugong in its natural habitat. These shy sea mammals—affectionately known as “sea cows”—glide gracefully through the island’s protected coastal waters, feeding on vibrant seagrass beds that support a rich underwater ecosystem.
Discovery Coron House Reef
The Discovery Coron house reef was once on the list as one of the best house reefs in the world and it is easy to see why. An easy beach entry from the dive center bring you face to face with not one, but two schools of fishes. Do a dive in the early morning or late afternoon and the schools change shapes as trevallies zoom into the scads or jack for a quick meal.
Nearby, resident turtles lounge on the sea grass, nibbling these as the day goes by. The sandy area is a classic muck site, with attractive seahorses living among the Halimeda coral. Panda or saddleback clown fishes and their host anemones and commensal shrimp are also available for macro shooters. Be sure to look for the piece of coconut shell or shard of pottery covered with eggs in the area around the anemone. It is great fun to observe the mom aerating the eggs.
Map of Dive Spots
