One of the reasons people pick up scuba diving is that it gives people an opportunity to see wrecks. The Philippines has become a popular destination to learn to scuba dive along with wreck diving. So, what is the wreck diving capital of the Philippines?
The Philippines has shipwrecks all over the country and there 2 main sites that have wrecks from world war 2. The best place to go wreck diving in the Philippines is properly Coron followed closely by Subic bay.
In today’s post, we will go through in more detail what is the wreck diving capital of the Philippines, so let’s get started!
Read more on common questions asked by divers
What Is The Wreck Diving Capital Of The Philippines?
The Philippines has a lot of shipwrecks all over the country. There is a good amount of wrecks from World War 2 in 2 particular sites and the biggest navy battle of World War 2 was in the Philippines in Leyte called the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
The other sites are small wrecks in some cases the ships or planes were sunk to create artificial reefs. These sites are as follows.
- Coron Bay.
- Subic Bay.
- Cebu.
- Boracay.
- Leyte.
Coron Bay
Coron bay is properly the wreck diving capital in the Philippines. The reason for this is that back on 24th September 1944, during world war 2 there were Japanese navy ships trying to hide among the islands.
Then the American airforce found them in Coron Bay and attacked. In the process, they sank 10 Japanese ships. Most of the wrecks are at depths of 20 to 45 meters while the 2 gunboats’ wrecks are at a depth of 2 to 20 meters. The ships that where sank are as follows.
- Akitsushima.
- Okikawa Maru.
- Irako.
- Kogyo Maru.
- Olympia Maru.
- Taiei Maru.
- Kyokuzan Maru.
- East Tangat Gunboat.
- Lusong Island Gunboat.
Subic Bay
Subic is home to about 10 wreck ships. Similar to Coron bay a majority of the wrecks are from World War 2. There is even a wreck Spanish-American War back in 1898. The interesting thing about these wreck sites is that there are not only ships but there are also planes.
Other than wrecks you have the chance to see marine life such as Stingray, Lionfish, Cuttlefish, Puffer, and more.
Cebu
Cebu is famous for scuba diving with the whale shark in Oslob and sardine run in Moalboal. There is the wreck of San Juan Ferry. There was an explosion in the engine room and sank in 2000 in relatively good condition.
It is about 50 meters deep. So out of reach for most scuba divers.
There is an airplane wreck in Moalboal that is an artificial reef where you also have the chance to see the marine life that lives in the wreck.
Boracay
Boracay has 2 wrecks with one is a plane wreck, and a shipwreck. The ship Camia was a 30 metre-long cargo boat. While the plane was a Tri-bird.
These both are artificial wrecks. Where today you can see bluefin, scorpion fish, batfish and more that live at the wrecks..
Leyte
The gulf of Leyte is where the biggest navy battle of World War 2 took place. The problem with the battle wrecks in Leyte Gulf is that they are out of people’s depth.
For example the battleships Yamashiro and Fuso are about 200 meters deep. Along with strong currents and big waves.
There are a couple of smaller wrecks in Leyte that are about 15 meters deep such as the Malitbog wreck. There are plenty of dive sites around Leyte where you can see coral reefs and marine life.
Is The Philippines Good For Diving?
Yes, the Philippines is good for scuba diving. You have the chance to see coral reefs, the sardine run, a huge variety of fish, manta rays, whale sharks, and wrecks.
Wrapping Up
Finally, the best place to go wreck diving in the Philippines is properly Coron which is closely followed by Subic bay. Other than wrecks around the Philippines you have the chance to see the marine life and coral reefs.
And that’s it for now! I’d love to know if this guide on what is the wreck diving capital of the Philippines has helped you. Let me know if you have any questions and let me know if there is more to add.
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