Okikawa Maru

War grave: a Japanese oil tanker of about 168–170 m, hit on 24 Sep 1944 and burning until a further US strike finished her on 9 Oct 1944. She sits upright with the main deck at about 10–16 m and the bottom near 26 m, covered in coral; penetration is possible up the propeller shaft into the engine room. The upper deck is a good wreck introduction, but tidal current can be strong.

Facts

• Region: Coron Bay & Busuanga – Palawan
• Area: Coron Bay wrecks
• Depth: 10–26 m
• Level: intermediate
• Current: strong
• Type: wreck
• Coordinates: 12.0188, 119.9696 (approximate)
• Highlights: oil tanker, propeller shaft, batfish, snappers, large grouper, soft coral
• Permit: Wreck dives are done with a Coron dive operator, who collects the local/marine-park fees as part of the package (Pirates Diving Center states marine park and entry fees are included in its listed prices; the amounts and whether a separate municipal tourism fee applies were not verified from an official source). Taking anything from the wrecks is not allowed.
• Issuer / contact: Your Coron dive operator (collects local fees)
• Unverified: Sources give slightly different positions (about 12°01.06–01.13'N); treat as approximate.
• Tips: Open Water outside on the deck in calm water; Advanced with current; Wreck Diver for penetration. Check the tide with your guide. Wrecks are war graves: look, photograph, take nothing. Remaining munitions: do not touch.

Sources

• https://piratescoron.com/dive-sites/
• https://philippinesislandhopping.com/blog/shipwreck-diving-in-coron/
• https://www.starfish.ch/dive/print/Sangat-print.html
• https://scubatechphilippines.com/scuba_blog/the-shipwrecks-of-coron-wreck-diving-philippines/
• https://californiadiver.com/attack-on-coron-bay-exploring-world-war-ii-shipwrecks-in-the-philippines-518/