What a privilege and pleasure it is to be back in the Philippines! Here I am on Sangat Island in the heart of Coron Bay - one of the most exceptional destinations to dive World War II shipwrecks on the entire planet.
I spent the past week living and diving from Sangat Island Dive Resort, and let me tell you, it is one of the most extraordinary places I have ever been in my life. This pristine eco-resort sits on the south side of Sangat Island, which is just north of the archipelagic province of Palawan. This area is world renowned for its immaculate coral reefs, unparalleled wreck diving, and is the quintessential essence of a south pacific paradise. I am elated to have spent such an exceptional week here, in my very own bungalow, right on the beach.
Coron Bay is known for its thriving marine ecology, but it is also the historical site of a fierce WWII naval battle, during which Task Force 38 aboard the USS Lexington set out to destroy the remaining Japanese Navy supply fleet that was hiding among the areas countless islands.
On the morning of September 24th, 1944 - 96 Grumman F6F Hellcat fighters and 24 Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive bombers unleashed a massive barrage on the unsuspecting supply fleet, sending the entirety of the ships to the bottom of Coron Bay.
Today, these wrecks have become iconic within the recreational diving community and are heavily encrusted with thriving coral colonies. Visibility can be "hit or miss" in Coron Bay, but we made the best of it over the course of the past week. During the next few episodes, join me as I explore the Sangat Island Dive Resort and the dozen historic World War II wrecks of Coron Bay, including the Irako, Akitsushima, Okikawa Maru, and many, many more.
Special thanks to the team at Sangat Island Dive Resort for their exceptional hospitality and for operating one of the best dive operations i've personally experienced in my time around the world. Check out all that Sangat Island Dive Resort has to offer:
sangat.com.ph/