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.