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Hotels, dive operators, gear, and how to get here are on the Apo Reef location page.
Overview
Imperial Japanese Navy food supply and refrigeration ship sunk by US carrier aircraft on 24 September 1944 — Coron's deepest signature wreck. The 147 m hull rests virtually upright between 28 and 43 m, tilted slightly to port and almost fully intact. Penetration runs through the wheelhouse, the engine room with its four large diesels, the galley with stove still in place, and crew bunkrooms reached via a stern hull opening near the rudder at 40 m. Schooling jacks shadow the bow, longfin batfish drift around the mast, and groupers and stingrays settle on silted decks.
Briefing note
Coron's deepest dive and considered the most technically demanding of the WWII wreck circuit. Bottom at 43 m exceeds recreational limits; Nitrox, wreck and deep certifications are typical operator requirements. Penetration of engine room, galley and bunkrooms requires wreck specialty training, redundant lights and a reel. Surface conditions and currents close the wreck during southwest monsoon storms (July to September).
What you'll see
6 species curated- year-roundGiant trevally
- year-roundLongfin batfish
- year-roundGrouper
- seasonalGreen turtlePeak: Mar · Apr · May · Nov · Dec
- rareBluespotted stingray
- year-roundLionfish
Conditions
| Month | Water | Visibility | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27–29 °C | 15–25 m | moderate |
| Feb | 27–29 °C | 15–25 m | moderate |
| Mar | 27–30 °C | 20–30 m | moderate |
| Apr | 28–30 °C | 20–30 m | moderate |
| May | 28–30 °C | 15–25 m | moderate |
| Jun | 28–29 °C | 8–15 m | moderate |
| Jul | 28–29 °C | 5–12 m | strong |
| Aug | 27–29 °C | 5–12 m | strong |
| Sep | 27–29 °C | 8–15 m | strong |
| Oct | 27–29 °C | 10–20 m | moderate |
| Nov | 27–29 °C | 15–25 m | moderate |
| Dec | 27–29 °C | 15–25 m | moderate |
Season calendar
Peak season highlighted · current month outlined
Gear for this site
Beyond the basic kit- Primary plus backup dive light — Engine room, galley and stern crew compartment penetrations sit in full darkness, requiring redundant lights.
- Technical dive computer — 43 m bottom and multilevel deco profile mean Nitrox planning and conservative gradient factors are standard practice on this wreck.
- Wreck reel and SMB — Coron currents and the long upright hull demand a guideline for penetration and an SMB for blue water ascents.
Next step
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