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Japanese Ship Wreck

3.6 — based on 18 community signals
4.2 12 species 20 contributors

Japanese Ship Wreck is a year-round Philippine dive site featuring a historic wreck with diverse marine life and accessible exploration.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
WreckCurrentVariesSeasonal

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Marine life
Blacktip reef shark

Top operators here

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Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
Japanese Ship Wreck location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
0.4 kn
Wave
0.14 m
Water
29.8°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: WNW (45%)
Now: WSW (243°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.72m

Next: High at 02:00 (+1.49m)

+1.5 m0 m-0.2 m
▲ 02:00 · +1.49m ▼ 10:00 · +0.17m ▲ 15:00 · +0.49m ▼ 19:00 · +0.29m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV8.75 · very high Air PM2.513 · moderate 05:32 17:41
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 9.2 0.32 9 3mm
09-20 12.5 0.32 9 14mm
09-21 11 0.28 9 16mm
09-22 11.6 0.2 9 13mm
09-23 5.7 0.12 9 4mm
09-24 6 0.04 3 5mm
09-25 4.7 0.06 9 1mm
⚠ Coral bleaching: Watch — favorable conditions

About this spot

Japanese Ship Wreck sits in Philippine waters as a significant historical dive destination. The wreck offers a tangible connection to World War II maritime history and draws divers seeking structure-based exploration. The site hosts 12 documented species observations, indicating healthy fish populations around the wreck's surfaces and crevices. Visibility conditions and depth vary by season, so check with local operators before booking. The wreck's structure creates natural habitats for reef fish and other marine organisms that have colonized the hull over decades. Community-submitted videos provide insight into what awaits divers; three clips document the site's conditions and wildlife. The area is not within a marine protected zone, but coral bleaching remains a consideration for the broader reef ecosystem. Year-round access makes this a flexible option for travelers with variable schedules. Plan dives with local knowledge—conditions shift seasonally, and wreck diving requires awareness of current, visibility, and structural integrity around the site.

📖 Guide: Diving in the Philippines: 119 Sites, Wrecks & Walls Worth the Flight

Marine life

Blacktip reef shark

Dive types

Wreck

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B/C · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 11243km · ~2586kg · €47

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 54/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 12h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 11h east · 8 days recovery

FAQ

Can I dive Japanese Ship Wreck year-round?

Yes, the site is accessible year-round. However, seasonal conditions affect visibility and current strength. Check with local dive operators for optimal windows and current forecasts before your trip.

What marine life can I expect at the wreck?

The site hosts 12 documented species observations. Fish and other organisms have colonized the wreck structure. Expect typical reef and wreck-associated marine life, but exact species vary seasonally.

Is the site protected or restricted?

Japanese Ship Wreck is not inside a marine protected area, so standard Philippine diving regulations apply. Always verify local rules and any permit requirements with operators before diving.

How deep is the wreck and what's the difficulty level?

Specific depth and difficulty data are not confirmed. Contact local dive operators for current site details, including maximum depth, current conditions, and skill recommendations for safe exploration.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

French Kiss Divers

French Kiss Divers

1.9 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-18:00
Evolution

Evolution

2 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mon-Sun 7am to 9pm

Avila's Horizon Dive Resort

0.7 km
3.8 (232 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified
Hours: Friday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

MBI Dive Center

1.5 km
4.9 (932 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 40+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Dive Society Dive Center

1.6 km
5.0 (39 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 53+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Dive Society

1.6 km
4.8 (598 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 45+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Diving Into History: WW2 Japanese Shipwrecks In The Philippines 🇵🇭

Nadir On The Go
💬 3 top comments
  • Follow me on Instagram for real-time travel updates: 📷 www.instagram.com/nadironthego/

    @NadirOnTheGo · 👍 24
  • Thank you very much, Nadir for visiting our country, the Philippines. Thank you, too for affirming that Philippines is a country that you got to visit more than once and you got to come back coz you will always carry with you the love of the Filipino people. More power to your channel, and "Salamat po".

    @kittcastillo · 👍 30
  • Bangladesh no 1 explorer

    @salmanahmed4798 · 👍 5

Diving - WWII Japanese Wrecks - Coron, Palawan, Philippines

Simon B

Snorkeling Trip Malapascua and Japanese Shipwreck - Philippines

T&A Travel Vlogs
💬 3 top comments
  • What an amazing time getting to check out the snorkel spots, looked like a couple of fun stops! That water color is beautiful!

    @TouringTastebuds · 👍 1
  • Beautiful footage along the ocean water before your snorkeling. Looks like you had really good weather to experience the snorkeling. So much coral and fish!

    @TheJourneyest2016 · 👍 1
  • Very nice! 😍

    @sorarobles8684 · 👍 0
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: May (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (89/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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