|
Philippines - Coron Bay (May 2004) All photos ©Alex Towns - please do not use without permission
|
|
|
Okikawa Maru
Japanese tanker, 168 m long. In length, width, and volume the largest of the Coron wrecks. At this depth you may be able to make an hour-long dive. If the Irako isn't the best wreck dive in the Philippines then the Okikawa Maru certainly is! This wreck is totally covered with beautiful corals and offers a large variety of marine-life. The deck is between 10m and 16m with the seabed at 26m. There are many penetration possibilities, including penetrating up the propeller shaft from the outside of the ship all the way into the engine room. Strong tidal currents often affect this wreck. Diving in strong currents lets you see the most fish. Large fish shelter out of the current behind crumpled metal and inside of the deckhouses. | |
|
|
Olympia Maru
Japanese freighter 137 meters long, lying on its starboard side in 25m. This is a beautiful wreck dive site, hard corals cover the port side, which is only 12 to 16 meters below the surface. The big cargo rooms and the engine room allow easy penetration of this wreck. The two massive boilers in the center of the ship are a big attraction on this dive. You can pass behind the boilers and see the damage resulting from one of the bomb strikes that disabled the ship. It is possible to do a swim-through and pass from bow to stern without exiting the ship. | |
|
|
Tangat Wreck
Japanese Freighter sitting upright with a length of 122 meters. A very good dive spot with a variety of marine life. Large shoals of banana fish, giant bat fish and giant puffer fish, especially around the mast, bow and stern. Easy penetration of the cargo rooms. She lies on the seabed at 30m with the decks in 18-22m. | |
|
|
Gunboat
This ship was a small gunboat and is great for snorkeling. It starts on the surface with a maximum depth of 9-10 meters. It is nicely covered with hard corals and offers a nice variety of fish live. The are also good opportunities for wreck dive photographers or as a "dive between dives". | |
|
|
Photos taken using a Nikonos V with 15mm Nikonos lens and dual Sea&Sea YS-120 strobes on Aquatica TLC arms. Film used - Fujichrome Provia 400F 135 (RHP III)
|
|
This page created with MySlideShow - http://www.anixsoft.com