FREEDIVING IN CORON PALAWAN: 6 Best Reef And Wreck Dive Spots

June 18, 2023

FREEDIVING IN CORON PALAWAN: 6 Best Reef and Wreck Dive Spots

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.

6 BEST REEF AND WRECK DIVE SPOTS FOR FREEDIVING IN CORON PALAWAN

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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A post shared by KHAE SANTIAGO (@ohmisskhae)

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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 accordingly.

If you want other choices, you may check the Freediver Guide Coron.

ITINERARY Freediving in Coron Palawan

DAY 1 – Arrival Day

DAY 2 – Reef & Wreck Tour with PalaOne Freediving and JY Travel and Tours (Shared)

East Tangat Shipwreck

Travel time from Seaport – 1hour and 15mins
40 mins stay

Lusong Gunboat

Travel time from East Tangat Shipwreck – 30mins
30mins stay

Lusong Coral Garden

5 mins away from Lusong Gunboat
30mins stay
Boat Lunch

Pass Island

DAY 3 – 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 4 – Ultimate Freediving Tour with PalaOne Freediving (Private)