Coron’s immense popularity as a diving destination today is largely due to a significant World War II military operation. On September 24, 1944, the U.S. Task Force 38 launched an air attack on the Japanese fleet anchored in Coron Bay.
This operation led to the sinking of numerous Japanese warships and supply vessels, including a seaplane tender, several freighters, and tankers. These ships settled at various depths within the bay. Over the decades, these wrecks transformed into artificial reefs, attracting a rich diversity of marine flora and fauna. Corals have colonized the structures, providing a habitat for countless fish species.
Today, these shipwrecks are prominent dive sites, offering unique exploration opportunities for history enthusiasts, marine biologists, and underwater photographers alike. The wrecks vary in their state of preservation and depth, making them accessible to divers of different experience levels. Notable diveable wrecks include the Akitsushima Maru, the Irako, the Okikawa Maru, and the Kogyo Maru. Dives allow for the inspection of the ship structures and the thriving marine life that has developed around them. The history of their sinking and their current biological significance make the Coron wrecks an internationally recognized diving attraction.