Coron’s WWII wrecks offer a rare chance to see history where it sank, with coral and tropical fish sharing the same underwater scene. I like the two named wrecks, Olympia Maru and Ekkai Maru, and the small limit of four divers per guide, which gives the group a more manageable feel.
The main caveat is the clock: the trip is advertised as returning at 12:30, but it can run later. There have also been reports of a cancellation not being reflected in the booking status, so confirm directly with the operator before setting your plans around it.
- What to know before you book
- Two wrecks, one morning on Coron’s water
- Olympia Maru and Ekkai Maru: history below the surface
- Reef life adds a second reason to go
- What the four-hour morning involves
- What the price includes, and what it does not
- Reliability, timing and a sensible backup plan
- Who will get the most from this wreck trip
- Should you book the Olympia Maru and Ekkai Maru trip?
- FAQ
- How long is the trip?
- Which wrecks are included?
- What certification do I need?
- Is there a minimum age?
- What equipment is included?
- Is pickup included?
- Are park fees and refreshments included?
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What to know before you book
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7 / 7- Two WWII wrecks are on the plan: Olympia Maru and Ekkai Maru, also known as Morazan.
- The trip is meant for experienced scuba divers: Advanced Open Water certification is required. The stated logged-dive minimum conflicts, so ask the operator whether it is seven or nine.
- The morning schedule is not a firm finish time: Departure is set for 08:30 and return for 12:30, but one trip ran until 15:00.
- A guide takes no more than four divers: The center says it limits groups to four divers per guide.
- Full scuba equipment is included, with a few exceptions: A torch, marine park fees and refreshments are included. Nitrox, lunch and a dive computer are not.
- The booking price varies across the supplied details: One price is listed from US$107.09, while the half-day package is also shown from US$97.35. Check the current total before paying.
👉 See our pick of the 2 Best Guided Tours In Palawan
Two wrecks, one morning on Coron’s water
This half-day outing heads from the dive center in Sitio Lawi to the Olympia Maru and Ekkai Maru, the two WWII-era wrecks named for the trip. The appeal is not only the old metalwork. The wrecks sit within a marine setting where coral, tropical fish and other sea life add color and movement to a scene shaped by wartime history.
A guided wreck visit is a different sort of underwater outing from a reef-only trip. You are looking at the remains of ships, but you also need to follow your guide’s instructions and keep a clear head around a large underwater structure. The guides are there to lead the visits and explain the wrecks’ stories, while the small group cap helps keep the experience more personal than a crowded tour.
The two sites give the morning a clear focus, but the information provided does not specify how long you spend at each wreck or the exact route between them. Conditions and timing can affect the plan. Think of the names as the intended highlights, not a guarantee of a fixed minute-by-minute schedule.
The package describes two guided underwater visits. It does not specify which wreck comes first, or whether both stops offer the same conditions. If you have a particular interest in wreck interiors, depth, visibility or what artifacts you may see, ask the operator before booking rather than expecting a specific feature.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Palawan.
Olympia Maru and Ekkai Maru: history below the surface
The Olympia Maru and Ekkai Maru are the main reason to choose this outing over a general reef excursion. They are WWII-era shipwrecks, and the tour is built around exploring their remains with a guide who can give context to what you see. The supplied information describes well-preserved relics and artifacts, though it does not promise particular objects or access to every part of either vessel.
Wrecks can be compelling even when you do not know every detail of their history. Their scale and structure give you something distinct to observe, while marine life has made the wrecks part of the underwater environment. The experience brings those two interests together: a look at wartime remnants and a chance to see coral and fish in the same outing.
You should approach the sites as a certified, experienced diver, not as a first lesson or a casual snorkel stop. The operator requires Advanced Open Water certification and a minimum number of logged dives. That experience requirement matters: wreck visits call for comfort in the water and the ability to follow a guide’s directions.
There is a small but important inconsistency in the listed experience requirements. One part gives a minimum of seven logged dives, while another says nine. The certification requirement is consistently stated as Advanced Open Water, but contact the center to confirm the logged-dive rule before you reserve.
Reef life adds a second reason to go
The wrecks are the headline, but the trip also promises coral reefs, tropical fish and other marine species. That balance makes the morning more appealing if you enjoy both history and natural scenery. You are not simply looking at a sunken ship; you are entering an underwater setting where the remains sit alongside living sea life.
The information does not name particular fish or coral species, and sightings are not guaranteed. Go for the combination of wreck structure and marine life rather than a checklist of specific animals. Conditions in the water can change what you see from one outing to another.
A torch is included, which is useful equipment for a wreck-focused trip. The package also includes full scuba gear, but not a dive computer. If you normally use your own computer, bring it. If you need one, ask the center whether you can rent one separately, since it is not listed among the included items.
Nitrox is also excluded. If you want to use enriched air, the package details point to separate Nitrox options, but they do not say that Nitrox is part of this half-day trip. Confirm availability, cost and suitability with the operator rather than assuming it will be arranged on the day.
What the four-hour morning involves
The stated schedule starts with an 08:30 departure and ends with a 12:30 return. The outing is described as a guided, four-hour experience, with two wreck visits and refreshments during the surface interval. That makes it a compact option if you want to spend part of the day underwater and leave the afternoon open.
Still, do not treat noon as a guaranteed finish. One outing that was expected to end at 12:30 did not finish until 15:00, which caused problems for someone with another activity booked afterward. The schedule can also shift with traffic and weather. I would leave a generous gap before any afternoon flight, transfer or prepaid tour.
The trip includes pickup within three kilometers of the dive shop. You provide your hotel name and address during checkout, and the center is meant to confirm the pickup time and location no later than the day before. The return is to your hotel or personal address. If you are staying farther away, transportation to the shop may be your responsibility.
That distance matters in Coron, where getting to the departure point can take planning. A diver who stayed far from the shop found they needed to arrange their own ride. Before booking, check your hotel’s location against the three-kilometer pickup area and ask the center what to do if you are outside it.
The group limit is four divers per guide. That is a useful number for a guided wreck outing: it keeps the group small enough to follow instructions and gives the guide fewer people to monitor. It does not mean the trip is private, however, and the total number of divers may depend on how many guides are working that day.
What the price includes, and what it does not
The listed price starts at US$107.09, while the package details also show a half-day option from US$97.35. Since those figures do not match, check the live booking price and final total before you commit. Rates can vary, and the lower figure should not be treated as the guaranteed price for your date.
Value depends on what you need to rent. The package includes a full scuba equipment set, a torch, an English-speaking guide, a professional guide, national or marine park fees and refreshments during the surface interval. Park charges and a full equipment set can make a packaged trip easier to budget than a bare-bones rate with several extras added later.
The exclusions are worth taking seriously. Nitrox, lunch and a dive computer are not included. Lunch may not matter if you are back around midday, but the actual finish can be later than planned, so bring enough time and food for your wider schedule. If you need Nitrox or a computer, confirm arrangements and any extra costs before departure.
The price buys access to two guided wreck visits, not just transportation to the water. For a certified diver who wants a focused morning with equipment and park fees covered, that can be fair value. For someone who needs Nitrox, a computer, transport from outside the pickup zone or a strict return time, the cost and convenience may be less attractive.
Reliability, timing and a sensible backup plan
The main practical concern is not the underwater plan, but coordination. A cancellation has occurred without the booking status being updated, even after a customer contacted the operator the day before and was told the trip was still confirmed in the app. A refund was provided, but that does not undo the lost morning.
Contact the dive center directly before the activity date and ask whether the trip is definitely running. Get the pickup time and location confirmed as well. The center is supposed to reconfirm no later than one day ahead, but making your own check is sensible if you have built other plans around this outing.
The return-time issue deserves the same caution. If you need to catch another tour or transfer, do not assume the 12:30 finish will hold. Leave a buffer, and avoid placing an important onward commitment immediately afterward. Weather and traffic can affect the schedule, and an underwater outing is not a good place to gamble on a tight connection.
The overall rating shown for this experience is low, based on only two ratings. That is a very small sample, but the specific concerns it raises are useful: confirm the trip is operating, and leave room for delays. The underwater experience itself has also been described as exciting, and the dive shop has received positive feedback. The practical lesson is to separate the appeal of the wrecks from the need to verify the day’s arrangements.
Who will get the most from this wreck trip
This outing suits certified divers who already meet the experience requirements and want to see Coron’s WWII wrecks with a guide. It is especially appealing if you care about shipwrecks but also want coral and marine life in the same morning. The small guide-group limit is another plus if you prefer a more controlled outing over a large group.
It is not a beginner activity. Participants must be at least 12, hold Advanced Open Water certification and meet the logged-dive minimum. Because the stated minimum differs between seven and nine dives, confirm the rule directly. If you are newly certified or unsure whether your experience qualifies, do not assume the center will make an exception.
It is also not the best choice for anyone with a strict midday commitment. The advertised four-hour schedule is convenient, but the reported late return shows that the end time can slip. If your plans are flexible, that may be a manageable trade-off. If you need certainty, choose an outing with a more dependable finish or leave the afternoon clear.
Should you book the Olympia Maru and Ekkai Maru trip?
Book it if you are an experienced, certified diver, the two wrecks are a priority, and you have room in your schedule for a delayed return. The combination of WWII ship remains, reef life, guided visits and included equipment makes for a focused morning with real appeal.
Before paying, confirm three things with the operator: that the trip is running on your date, whether the minimum is seven or nine logged dives, and what pickup arrangements apply to your hotel. Check the current price, too, since two different starting amounts are shown. With those details settled and no tight afternoon plans, this can be a worthwhile way to see Coron’s wrecks.
WWII Wrecks in Palawan: Dive into History with PADI 5 Star Center
FAQ
How long is the trip?
It is listed as a four-hour outing, departing at 08:30 and returning at 12:30. The timing may change with traffic and weather, and an outing has run until 15:00.
Which wrecks are included?
The planned stops are the Olympia Maru and Ekkai Maru, also known as Morazan.
What certification do I need?
You must have Advanced Open Water certification. The logged-dive minimum is stated as both seven and nine in the supplied details, so confirm the current requirement with the operator.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes. Participants must be at least 12 years old.
What equipment is included?
A full scuba equipment set and a torch are included. A dive computer and Nitrox are not included.
Is pickup included?
Pickup is available within three kilometers of the dive shop. Enter your hotel name and address when booking, and the center will reconfirm the pickup details in advance.
Are park fees and refreshments included?
Yes. National or marine park fees and refreshments during the surface interval are included. Lunch is not included.
