The Irako Wreck is one of the best Wreck Dives of Coron Bay in Palawan and in the Philippines. It is a 147m long and 19m wide former Japanese Refrigeration Ship. It was sunk during World War II in 1944 by an American air attack.
The Irako Wreck I lies now 40m deep still pretty much intact. The visibility is usually good and there is a great marine life surrounding the shipwreck making it one of the best dive sites around Busuanga Island. Here you can spot hunting Tunas and Groupers as well as Green Sea Turtles and Lionfishes. Barracudas and Trevallies can also be seen patrolling the ship. The hard and soft Coral all over the Irako is great especially on the superstructures.
The main deck is 34m deep and has penetration opportunities in the Wheelhouse and the Cargo bays. The Engine Room is also penetrable but at this depth it should only be attempted by very experienced divers with the necessary equipment.
Due to this great depth and sometimes strong currents it is best to be an Advanced diver to fully enjoy this amazing wreck! Moreover, it is better to dive with Nitrox gas if you want to increase your bottom time.
The Irako Wreck is located just 10 min by speed boat from Coron Dive Resorts just south of another beautiful wreck, the Kogyo Maru!
You can dive Irako Wreck all year long. Access: Boat. See the map of Irako Wreck on the right for the exact location.
Fishes you may spot while diving Irako Wreck
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Barracuda
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Batfish
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Blue Spotted Ray
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Grouper
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Lion Fish
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Nudibranch
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Scorpion Fish
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Snapper
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Triggerfish
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Tuna
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Turtle
Photos
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Blue Nudibranch in Lembeh StraitPhoto by Rich Guest -
Lion Fish swimming in crystal clear waterPhoto by Agnes Tjandranegara -
Blue Lined SnapperPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Orange Blue NudibranchPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Lion Fish Closeup IndonesiaPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Yellow Bumped Black NudibranchPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Barracuda SchoolPhoto by Matthieu Billaud -
Orange Nudibranch WhitePhoto by Agnes Tjandranegara -
Beautiful Pink Coral NudibranchPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Turtle SwimmingPhoto by Rich Guest
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One of the Best places in the World for Wreck Diving!!! Also very interesting lake diving all within a superb tropical scenery setting... ahh bliss!
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Great wreck with a very impressive engine room
For the less experienced be aware this wreck is very silty and you can easily get lost if you didn’t put a line to get you out. We did it with local TDI instructor, on nitrox / twinsets and 2 stages to get more bottom time and decompress safely as we are both tech divers. Avoid some of the local centres or better- take your own gear- as I have seen people taken down for a penetration dive with quite significant leaks on a single cylinder- insane. Stay safe
We plan to go back after doing all big wrecks in Coron – awesome place
Chamber in Viron is apparently pretty awful with people coming out more bent than when they went in so I rira ce a must – you also need a doctor note that you are bent before they’ll fly you out by seaplane