Skeleton Wreck is a 25m long Japanese supply ship that was hit by an airstrike during WWII by US Airforce. The ship now rests at a depth of 5m ranging to 22m at the deepest. It is an awesome spot in Coron, Palawan for free-diving or scuba diving as well as snorkeling on the surface. The Skeleton Wreck site is one of the stops on the Coron Ultimate Island Hopping Tour B, which includes visiting Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake as well as many other snorkeling spots and beautiful beaches.
MY EXPERIENCE: SKELETON WRECK IN CORON
I did the Coron Ultimate Island Hopping Tour B, which costs about $35 USD for the whole day including lunch and multiple locations like Twin Lagoon (price as of 2022). Skeleton Wreck was one of the many awesome locations on our tour.
Our boat rolled up to the Skeleton Wreck and we couldn’t see much from the surface but once we rolled over the side into the crystal clear water we could see the entire shipwreck. At the very shallowest, the ship was submerged only 5 meters below the water, which made it perfect for snorkelers and freedivers to explore. At the deepest the Skeleton Wreck was more than 20m deep.
The wreck was encrusted in coral and barnacles while fish swam about the wreck in abundance. There are a few small windows and inlets into the shipwreck, which those who are skilful at freediving can enter and exit the inner areas of the ship. Our guides did this with ease while most tourists floated on the surface watching people dive up and down. There’s a deeper wreck in Coron that I love called Lusong Gunbaot Shipwreck, which is way less crowded than Skeleton Wreck.
It is a truly amazing experience to be able to get up close and personal with a WWII shipwreck. I really enjoyed this experience despite it being a pretty crowded spot. Thats par for the course in Coron. Everything is amazing but some spots can be pretty crowded.
WHERE IS SKELETON WRECK
Skeleton Wreck is located near Coron Island. Coron Town is where all of the tourists stay is actually on Busuanga. It gets a little confusing but all you need to know is that you will be staying in Coron Town and taking a boat over to Skeleton Wreck and Coron Island to visit all of the other lagoons, snorkel spots and shipwrecks. You can see where Kayangan Lake is in relation to Coron Town (Busuanga).
3 POPULAR CORON TOURS
- Coron Island Hopping Trip: The iconic boat trip to amazing Kayangan Lake & Barracuda Lake. Best value and most popular
- Coron Tour B: Barracuda Lake Snorkel, Banol Beach, Twin Lagoon & Skeleton Wreck. This is my favorite island hopping in Coron and is the snorkeling paradise & active tour.
- Coron Tour C : Malcapuya Beach, Ditaytayan Sandbar and more. This tour is about beaches, sandbars and chilling out!
HOW TO GET TO SKELETON WRECK
The simple answer about how to get to Skeleton Wreck is: By Boat
You will most likely be staying in Coron Town, which is where the hotels, bars, restaurants, and airport is located. The next question is about which boat. There are lots of Coron Island Hopping Tours available and they range in price. Options are:
- Full-day Island hopping Group Tour
- Coron Private Speedboat Full-Day tour
- Big Dream Boat Man 3-Day, 4-Night Island Hopping Trip
SKELETON WRECK TOUR PACKAGES AND DAY TRIPS
Skeleton Wreck is part of Island Hopping Tour ‘B’. This means that as a solo or budget traveler you can visit Skeleton Wreck as well as multiple other locations on a day tour for a cheap price including lunch! I highly recommend Tour B and of course Tour A and have done them both.
- It includes Barracuda Lake, Kayangan Lake, Banol Beach, Snorkel at Skeleton Wreck, Twin Lagoon
The best way to avoid the crowds at Skeleton Wreck is to arrive before they do! This four-day expedition make sure you visit all the tourist spots before the tourists and then you sleep on secluded islands in cabins and tents throughout the region.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SKELETON WRECK
The best time to visit the Skeleton Wreck in Coron is during the dry season, which spans from November to May. This period offers the clearest waters, enhancing the visibility for divers and snorkelers eager to explore the sunken Japanese shipwreck. December through March sees the highest influx of tourists, so those aiming for a less crowded experience should consider the shoulder months. While the Skeleton Wreck’s underwater mysteries are a year-round attraction, diving conditions are optimal and more predictable during these drier months, ensuring both safety and an unparalleled underwater viewing experience.
HISTORY OF SKELETON WRECK IN CORON
The Skeleton Wreck in Coron is one of several Japanese shipwrecks in the area, a silent reminder of World War II’s impact on the Philippines. These wrecks are remnants of the Imperial Japanese Navy fleet that sought refuge in the natural harbor around Coron during the war. In September 1944, American aircraft launched a series of air raids known as “Operation Hailstone,” targeting Japanese ships anchored around Coron and Busuanga. The offensive was swift and devastating, sinking numerous Japanese vessels.
The Skeleton Wreck is a smaller gunboat or supply ship, and over the years, the wooden parts of the ship have deteriorated, leaving behind mainly the metal framework, hence its name. It lies at a relatively shallow depth, making it accessible to both snorkelers and divers. The coral-covered skeleton of the ship provides a habitat for various marine species, making it a popular dive site. While the exact identity and role of this specific ship might be lost to time, its skeletal remains serve as a poignant reminder of the war and its lasting imprint on the seascape of Coron.
BIG DREAM BOAT MAN ISLAND HOPPING TRIP
Big Dream Boat Man is a locally owned tour company that offers THE BEST island-hopping experience from Coron to El Nido and El Nido to Coron on their private 3-day, 4-night trip
Reasons to book with Big Dream Boat Man
- Skip the crowds: Visit popular spots like Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake and Lusong gunboat BEFORE the crowds arrive.
- Secluded Spots: Visit islands that the daytrippers can’t reach.
- Sunrise & Sunset: Stay overnight at secluded islands in cabins and tents on the beach. Enjoy bonfires, drinks and a fun atmosphere.
WHERE TO STAY IN CORON TOWN
Coron Town is the base for all of your adventures in Coron. In Coron Town you have the bars, restaurants, transport, places to book tours and you are close to Mt. Tapyas and Maquinit Hot Spring. It is also just a $3 shuttle to the airport. Below are my three picks plus one all-inclusive resort (I’ve stayed multiple times) that includes private island hopping.
- The Funny Lion (Good Atmosphere): The Funny Lion is a boutique resort in Coron that I visited several years ago. Let’s just say that beer from the hot tub with one of the best sunset views in Coron is about as good as it gets. It’s ultra-modern and has a spa, pool, and immaculate rooms. The rooftop bar and dining is an awesome place to be after a long day of island-hopping in Coron.
- Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel (Value): Located by the bay in Coron Town, this upscale hotel features an infinity pool which makes for a picture-perfect sunset view (Possibly the best sunset hotel view in Coron). If you want comfort and luxury at the same time this place is for you. It has its own private dock so you just leave straight to the island-hopping tours from your hotel room!
- Casa Fidelis Resort All-inclusive (Includes private island hopping): I had the most amazing stay at Casa Fidelis. The villa had a large patio area that looked out over the garden. Stepping stones led you from the room to the dining area, where we had decadent spreads of gourmet food for every meal. Casa
3 POPULAR CORON TOURS
- Coron Island Hopping Trip: The iconic boat trip to amazing Kayangan Lake & Barracuda Lake. Best value and most popular
- Coron Tour B: Barracuda Lake Snorkel, Banol Beach, Twin Lagoon & Skeleton Wreck. This is my favorite island hopping in Coron and is the snorkeling paradise & active tour.
- Coron Tour C : Malcapuya Beach, Ditaytayan Sandbar and more. This tour is about beaches, sandbars and chilling out!
ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH MY CORON SERIES?
- Best Island Hopping Experience: (4 Days & 3 Nights) Big Dream Boat Man Coron Tour Review.
- My Ultimate Travel Guide: Coron Travel Guide: 25 Awesome Things To Do
- A detailed activity schedule for you: Ultimate Coron Itinerary for 3-4 Days
- A comprehensive accommodation guide: 20 Best Places to Stay in Coron
- Best activity that is not in the water: Mt. Tapyas Hike for the best view in Coron.
Or you might want to jump to a few of my favorite spots in Coron:
- Read my blog post about Kayangan Lake
- Read my blog about Black Island
- Read my blog about Barracuda Lake
- Read my blog about Lusong Gunboat
