Skeleton Wreck | Coron

Skeleton Wreck is a popular snorkeling and diving site located off the coast of Coron Island. It is a fixture of the "Tour B" and "Super Ultimate" boat tours, prized for its accessibility and shallow depth.

Visual Characteristics

The site features a 25-meter long Japanese shipwreck. The "skeleton" refers to the remaining steel ribs and frame of the vessel, as most of the hull and wooden parts have decomposed. The wreck is encrusted with hard and soft corals and is teeming with small reef fish. The water is clear turquoise, providing high visibility of the structure from the surface.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Coron Island, Coron, Palawan, Philippines.

Access: Only reachable by boat from Coron town.

Transport:

Boat: Motorized outrigger boats (bangkas) anchor directly above or near the wreck.

Entry: Requires an entrance fee (approx. 150–200 PHP), typically included in tour packages.

Historical Origin

The wreck is believed to be a Japanese supply ship from World War II, sunk by American aerial bombardment during the Battle of Coron Bay on September 24, 1944. Unlike the larger shipwrecks in the area that sit at 20–40 meters deep, Skeleton Wreck is positioned on a slant, with the stern sitting at approximately 5 meters and the bow extending down to 12 meters.

Key Highlights & Activities

Snorkeling: Due to its shallow depth, the wreck is one of the few in Coron that can be fully appreciated by snorkelers.

Freediving: The depth is ideal for beginner freedivers to practice diving down to touch the ship's ribs.

Fish Feeding: Local guides often provide bread (though discouraged by some environmentalists) to attract large schools of damselfish and sergeant majors.

Photography: The contrast of the man-made steel structure against the natural reef makes for high-fidelity underwater imagery.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There is no infrastructure at the site. A small wooden floating platform is sometimes anchored nearby for resting. Life vests and snorkeling gear are provided by the tour boats. Cellular signal is weak.

Best Time to Visit

Low Tide: Brings the top of the wreck even closer to the surface.

Mid-Morning: Provides the best sunlight penetration for underwater visibility.

Dry Season (December to May): Ensures calm surface conditions.

Rules

No Touching: Do not touch the wreck or the coral; the steel is old and can be sharp or fragile.

Life Vests: Generally required by tour operators for safety.

Waste Management: Strict "no littering" policy into the ocean.

Nearby Landmarks

Banul Beach: 1.5 km North.

Twin Lagoon: 5.0 km East.

Smith Beach: 1.0 km North.