Coron Bay

Bay

Off Palawan, Coron Bay is known for WWII Japanese shipwrecks, limestone karsts and clear water; visitors dive the wrecks, snorkel lagoons and island-hop among secluded bays.

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In this guide

Coron Bay essentials

Address: Coron Bay, Busuanga / Coron, Palawan, Philippines
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About Coron Bay

Overview - Coron Bay sits off the north coast of Palawan in the Philippines, adjacent to Busuanga and Coron islands, and is internationally known for its underwater World War II shipwrecks and karst island scenery.

What visitors find - The bay contains multiple sunken Japanese ships from 1944 that are mapped dive sites, along with coral reefs, steep limestone islets, and sheltered lagoons. Nearby island attractions include freshwater lakes such as Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake, accessible by short boat trips from the town of Coron.

History - During the closing months of World War II, Japanese ships anchored in the bay were attacked and sunk by US air raids and naval action in 1944; those wrecks have since become dive sites and marine habitats. Over decades the wrecks have colonized with coral and attract diverse marine life.

Location - Coron Bay lies off northern Palawan; the main town of Coron on Busuanga Island is the usual base for visiting the bay and its dive and island sites.

  • Wreck diving: Several Japanese naval and merchant vessels were sunk in 1944; many wrecks now form artificial reefs visited by recreational divers at depths commonly between about 10 and 60 meters.
  • Best season: Best diving and snorkeling visibility is typically during the dry season, roughly November to May, when sea conditions are calmer.

What to See#

  • Kayangan and Barracuda Lakes: A collection of freshwater karst-lake attractions on Coron Island, including Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake, noted for clear water and limestone cliffs.
  • WWII wreck sites: Numerous Japanese World War II shipwrecks lying on the seabed of the bay and on nearby reefs, now popular scuba diving sites at varying depths.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Coron Bay

For the clearest water and calmest seas for diving and island-hopping, visit during the dry season (November-May), with March-May often offering the best visibility.

Dry (best for diving/snorkeling)
November-May · 25-32°C
Calmer seas, better underwater visibility and sunnier days make this the most reliable period for boat trips and diving.
Shoulder
April-June · 25-32°C
Transitional period with generally good conditions but occasional rain; visibility can still be very good early in the season.
Wet / southwest monsoon
June-October · 24-30°C
More frequent rain and rougher seas; diving visibility and boat operations may be affected and some operators reduce service.

Weather & Climate near Coron Bay

Climate

Coron Bay's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 33°C. Heavy rainfall (3013 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 46 Good
Best Time to Visit
FebruaryJanuaryMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
22°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Ideal 22° - 30° 26° 22 mm partly cloudy 77% 3.7 m/s 2.0 extreme 11.4h
February Ideal 23° - 31° 27° 19 mm some cloud 74% 3.4 m/s 2.4 extreme 11.7h
March Excellent 24° - 32° 31° 9 mm mostly sunny 71% 3.0 m/s 2.7 extreme 12.0h
April Excellent 25° - 33° 32° 45 mm mostly sunny 68% 2.2 m/s 2.8 extreme 12.3h
May Good 25° - 32° 32° 198 mm partly cloudy 74% 1.7 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.5h
June Good 24° - 31° 30° 362 mm overcast 81% 1.8 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.7h
July Good 24° - 30° 27° 663 mm overcast 83% 2.1 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.6h
August Good 24° - 30° 27° 599 mm overcast 84% 2.5 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.4h
September Good 23° - 30° 27° 497 mm overcast 84% 1.9 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.1h
October Good 24° - 30° 27° 291 mm overcast 82% 2.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.8h
November Very Good 24° - 31° 30° 225 mm partly cloudy 81% 2.7 m/s 2.0 very high 11.5h
December Excellent 23° - 30° 27° 83 mm partly cloudy 81% 3.7 m/s 1.9 very high 11.3h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Coron Bay

Coron Bay (off Busuanga Island, Palawan) is most commonly reached by flying to Francisco B. Reyes Airport (Busuanga, IATA: USU) and then driving to Coron town - the airport-to‑town transfer is usually about 30-45 minutes by road depending on landing point and traffic. From Coron town’s pier (Coron Wharf) tour boats and dive boats depart regularly for Coron Bay, wreck and reef sites; boat rides to popular sites typically range from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the destination and operator.

Tips for Visiting Coron Bay

  • Book the earliest boat out of Coron town (often before 7:30-8:00) to beat the bulk of day-trip traffic and see clearer water at the top island sites.
  • Ask your operator to put Kayangan Lake and a WWII wreck high on the morning itinerary; climb the Kayangan viewpoint before swimming for the classic view with fewer people.
  • Prefer smaller-group operators or private charters when possible - they visit sites earlier and more flexibly than the large shared boats, which helps avoid crowded landing beaches.