Dubbed as the shipwreck diving capital of the Philippines, freediving in Coron Palawan is on top of my list. The dramatic views of sunken Japanese ships around the island are breathtaking, and it’s one of my favorite dive destinations ever! I would say, it’s an expensive paradise yet, it’s worth every single penny.
The reef and wreck dive in Coron Palawan is celebrated by a lot of diving enthusiast — freediver, scuba diver, even snorkeler. These well-preserved wrecks, combined with the stunning marine life, create an unparalleled underwater experience.
Quick Facts About Freediving in Coron, Palawan
- Location: Coron, Northern Palawan, Philippines
- Best Dive Spots: Barracuda Lake, Skeleton Wreck, East Tangat Wreck, Lusong Gunboat
- Typical Depth Range: 5 to 25+ meters for most recreational freediving sites, with deeper sections available for advanced divers
- Marine Life Encounters: Sea turtles, reef fish, barracuda, occasional dugong sightings
- Suitable for: Beginners, recreational freedivers, wreck enthusiasts, underwater photographers, and advanced freedivers
- Best Time to Freedive in Coron Palawan: Novermber – May
Why Freedive in Coron, Palawan
Coron offers one of the most unique freediving experiences in the Philippines. Unlike many destinations that focus mainly on coral reefs, Coron combines colorful marine ecosystems, historic World War II shipwrecks, and dramatic limestone formations.
Barracuda Lake alone is worth the trip. The lake is famous for its thermocline and halocline layers, where the water temperature and salinity change dramatically as you descend. The underwater rock formations, clear visibility, and surreal atmosphere make it one of the most memorable freediving spots in the country.
6 Best Reef and Wreck Dive Spots for Freediving in Coron Palawan
What I personally love most about freediving in Coron is the variety. You can explore shallow wrecks suitable for beginners, colorful coral gardens for relaxed fun dives, and deeper wreck structures that challenge more experienced freedivers, all within the same trip.
EAST TANGAT WRECK
This one’s a favorite among beginner freedivers because it’s shallow and easy to access. The wreck lies just about 5–10 meters deep, so you can clearly see it even from the surface on a good visibility day.
The East Tangat Wreck is a small gunboat which historians believed to be a submarine hunter or a tugboat. She rests on a sandy slope with its bow within 5 meters deep, which is perfect among snorkelers to see, while its stern is at 22 meters deep.
LUSONG GUNBOAT
Lusong Gunboat is another shallow wreck perfect for both snorkelers and freedivers found within the vicinity of Lusong Island. It sits around 5 meters deep, and the hull is now covered in colorful corals and soft sponges.
She is 40 meters long with its stern breaking the surface at low tide. It’s amazing how something once made for war has turned into a living reef full of clownfish, parrotfish, and even the occasional sea snake. I could float here for hours, just watching the light dance through the water and onto the corals.
BARRACUDA LAKE -- The Most Famous Dive Spot in Coron Palawan
Tucked within the towering karst cliffs of Coron Island, lie the warm, cyan waters of Barracuda Lake.
Formed by sunken limestone rock, this lake contains both fresh and saltwater, with a layer of brackish water nestled in between and heated by geothermal activity.
Here are a few spots where we took an underwater photo at:
Twin Tower
One of my favorite spots in the Barracuda Lake is the “Twin Tower” — a two massive limestone formations that rise dramatically from the depths like underwater guardians.
Diving between them feels otherworldly, almost like floating through a gateway into another realm. There isn’t much marine life here, but the tranquility, the surreal landscape, and that deep silence are what make Barracuda Lake one of my most memorable freediving experiences in Coron.
The Barracuda Eye
The Barracuda Eye is one of the most iconic underwater spots in Barracuda Lake — and trust me, it’s absolutely mesmerizing in person. It’s this deep, circular opening that looks like a giant eye staring right back at you from the lake’s depths.
Many freedivers love to take photos here, positioning themselves right in the center of the “eye” for that dramatic, otherworldly shot. If there’s one photo to remember from your Barracuda Lake dive, it’s definitely this one.
SKELETON WRECK
This is one of Coron’s most famous and photogenic wrecks. The ship lies in shallow water, making it perfect for freedivers of any level.
You can clearly see the ship’s skeleton frame from the surface, and diving down to glide through the ribs of the wreck feels almost spiritual. It’s covered in coral, and schools of fish weave through the beams like they’re guarding a forgotten treasure. I loved the calm here — the wreck is eerie yet somehow peaceful.
LUSONG CORAL GARDEN
Right beside Lusong Gunboat is one of the most colorful coral gardens I’ve ever seen.
It’s like swimming in a watercolor painting — bright blue starfish, soft corals waving in the current, and tiny reef fish darting everywhere. It’s shallow, so the sunlight brings everything to life in full color. This is the perfect spot to just float around and admire the ocean’s art without worrying about depth or technique.
SIETE PECADOS
Meaning “Seven Sins,” this marine park is a cluster of seven small islets surrounded by stunning reefs. It’s one of the most vibrant freediving spots in Coron, and the moment your face hits the water, you’ll see why.
The coral formations are massive and healthy, home to hundreds of species — from playful anthias to curious sea turtles. It’s lively, colorful, and full of movement, the kind of underwater scene that makes you want to stay forever.
Where to Book Freediving in Coron, Palawan
In June 2023, we booked our freediving tours with PalaOne Freediving. They’re one of the best in Coron. They have a certified freediving instructor as a dive guide who also takes beautiful underwater photos and videos.
On our third day in Coron Palawan, my friend was able to do her Intro to Freediving course with Palaone Freediving. I encouraged her since we’re already booked for a private tour with them and the instructor was already with us, so why not do it anyway.
Here are the packages we booked! Just refer to the itinerary I added at the end of this blog post to plan your freediving trip in Coron, Palawan.
If you want other choices, you may check:
3-Day Dive Itinerary Freediving in Coron, Palawan
This 3-day itinerary is for dive days only; please adjust accordingly depending on your arrival and departure.
Day 1 – Easy Wrecks and Reef Exploration with PalaOne Freediving and JY Travel and Tours (Shared Boat)
- East Tangat Shipwreck – Travel time from Seaport – 1hour and 15 mins, then stay at the spot for 40 mins.
- Lusong Gunboat – Travel time from East Tangat Shipwreck – Stay at the spot for 30 mins
- Lusong Coral Garden – 5 mins away from Lusong Gunboat, then stay at the spot for 30 mins stay. Boat lunch is served here.
- Pass Island
This first day is ideal for adjusting to the water, improving equalization, and getting comfortable with Coron’s visibility and conditions.
DAY 2 – DUGONG DIVE (Private)
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to do this dive because this must be a private trip, and since we’re just 2 pax, it’s way too expensive for us. Also, it’s not guaranteed to be able to see the “dugong”. That time, it wasn’t worth it. A group tour of at least 4 pax is suggested.
Day 3 – Ultimate Freediving Tour with PalaOne Freediving (Private)
- Siete Pecados
- Barracuda Lake – Twin Tower, Barracuda Eye
- Skeleton Shipwreck
Barracuda Lake deserves its own day. The unique geology and underwater scenery make it one of the highlights of any Coron freediving trip.
Many freedivers also arrange private boat charters to visit multiple wrecks and reefs in a single day, allowing more flexibility compared to standard island-hopping tours.
Dive Tips for Freediving in Coron, Palawan
Coron’s dive sites can be deceptively easy because many are shallow, but there are still a few things worth keeping in mind:
- Start with the shallower wrecks before attempting deeper dives.
- Barracuda Lake feels very different from ocean dives because of its thermocline layers. Expect sudden temperature changes as you descend.
- Bring a rash guard or wetsuit. The lake can feel surprisingly warm at depth, but boat rides and long sessions can still leave you chilled.
- Always dive with a buddy and never freedive alone.
- Visit popular spots early in the morning to avoid crowds and get cleaner underwater photos.
- Practice proper buoyancy and finning techniques around wrecks to avoid damaging marine growth.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid touching corals or wreck structures.
- If underwater photography is a priority, schedule your dives during sunny weather for the best light penetration.
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