Dive Site: Olympia Maru

About Olympia Maru

The Olympia Maru is a prominent Japanese cargo ship wreck from World War II, located within Coron Bay, Philippines. Sunk during a U.S. air raid in 1944, it now rests as an artificial reef, offering a compelling structure-first wreck profile for divers. This site is distinguished by its accessible depth and the opportunities it presents for both penetration and exploring external features. The wreck lies at depths up to 24 meters, with parts of the structure accessible from around 17 meters. It is known for its relatively intact hull, which has become a substrate for coral growth and a habitat for various marine species. Conditions typically feature light currents and moderate visibility, making it suitable for divers with good buoyancy control and an interest in wreck exploration. While specific seasonal marine life is not detailed, the wreck commonly hosts lionfish, barracuda, moray eels, crabs, and octopuses. Green turtles and eagle rays are also reported. The site's diverse ecosystem contributes to its appeal beyond just the historical artifact. Diving the Olympia Maru rewards confident divers who are proficient in navigation and buoyancy in overhead environments. It is typically accessed by boat from Coron, and dive planning should emphasize conservative gas management and buddy team protocols due to the nature of wreck diving. The site can be quite busy, indicating its popularity among the Coron wrecks.

Dive site facts: Olympia Maru

Depth

Up to 24 m

Typical dive

17–29 m

Current

Light to moderate (up to 3 knots)

Visibility

5–25 m

Water temperature

26–31 °C

Entry

Boat

Level

Intermediate

Dive type

Wreck

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Coron, Palawan

Coordinates

11.9912° N, 120.2152° E

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Olympia Maru are generally light, though they can reach up to 3 knots, especially in May. While typically flat calm, divers should be prepared for potential shifts. Visibility can range significantly from 5 meters to 25 meters, influenced by weather patterns and site timing, sometimes challenging navigation within the wreck. Entry is exclusively by boat, typically involving a short ride from Coron. Due to the overhead environment and potential for varying visibility, maintaining good buoyancy control and conservative gas planning are crucial for safe exploration of this wreck.

Marine life & sighting chances

Barracuda

common

Crab

common

Eagle Ray

occasional

Frogfish

occasional

Green Turtle

occasional

Lionfish

common

Moray Eel

common

Octopus

common

Reef Fish

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Dives at Olympia Maru typically begin with a boat drop directly over the wreck. Divers will descend along the ship’s structure, usually towards the shallower deck areas around 17 meters. The dive can progress by exploring the superstructure or entering one of the accessible cargo holds. While exploring the interiors, careful navigation and excellent buoyancy are critical due to limited visibility and overhead environments. Maximum depths can reach up to 24 meters at the deepest points of the wreck. The route often involves traversing the length of the ship, observing coral growth and resident marine life. The turn point is determined by gas consumption and no-decompression limits, after which divers ascend gradually. The safety stop is commonly conducted over the wreck’s shallower parts or a nearby reef, ensuring proper decompression before surfacing.

Underwater photography

Capturing the Olympia Maru requires adaptability due to varying visibility and the low-light conditions inside the wreck. For wide-angle shots of the ship's overall structure and larger schooling fish, a wide-angle lens with external strobes is recommended to illuminate the scene and bring out colors. When exploring the interior, a fisheye lens can create dramatic perspectives, but a powerful focus light is essential. For macro subjects like frogfish, lionfish, or nudibranchs residing on the wreck, a macro lens is ideal, often paired with a snoot to highlight details against the darker background. Divers must maintain impeccable buoyancy to avoid disturbing silt, which can quickly reduce visibility and ruin shots.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Kogyo Maru
• Tangat Wreck

  Tangat Wreck, also known as Kogyo Maru, is a prominent Japanese shipwreck nestled in Coron Bay, Palawan, Philippines.

• Irako Wreck

  The Irako Wreck, a Japanese refrigeration ship sunk during World War II, lies within Coron's renowned wreck graveyard, making it one of the…

• Coron Bay — Skeleton Wreck

  The Skeleton Wreck in Coron Bay, Philippines, offers a unique blend of history and marine biology, lying submerged since its sinking during…

Getting there & logistics

Access to Olympia Maru is primarily via day boat trips originating from Coron, Palawan. The nearest major airport is Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU) in Busuanga, which connects to Manila and other Philippine hubs. Trips to Coron typically involve multi-day packages from resorts or liveaboards that combine several wreck dives. Marine park and heritage fees are generally included in dive package costs. Coron is a premier wreck diving destination, and itineraries often include a selection of Japanese WWII wrecks, sometimes alongside visits to Barracuda Lake or local reef sites.

Safety & environment

Diving the Olympia Maru, like other Coron wrecks, requires adherence to specific safety protocols. The primary hazards include the overhead environment of the wreck, potential for reduced visibility, and boat traffic on the surface. Divers must exercise conservative buoyancy control to prevent silting out the wreck and ensure a tight buddy team. All divers should carry an alternative air source and have an emergency plan for overhead situations. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, necessitating adequate medical insurance that covers dive accidents and potential evacuation. Always dive with a reputable Coron operator and follow local guidelines, including any marine park or facility rules.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Olympia Maru FAQ

Liveaboards diving Olympia Maru

These liveaboards may visit Olympia Maru on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Infiniti

Philippines

25 guests39 m

$280/day

Seadoors

Philippines

16 guests25 m

$335/day

Resolute

Philippines

16 guests34.6 m

$314/day

Dolphin

Philippines

18 guests31 m

$326/day

Navis 1

Philippines

22 guests23 m

$250/day

Philippine Siren

Philippines

16 guests

$309/day

Palau Sport

Philippines

24 guests38.35 m

$215/day

Philippines Aggressor

Philippines

26 guests42.7 m

$381/day

Stella Maris Explorer

Philippines

20 guests33 m

$398/day

Solitude One

Philippines

24 guests52 m

$460/day

Atlantis Adventurer

Philippines

16 guests32.5 m

$421/day

Philippines Aggressor II

Philippines

26 guests42.7 m

$247/day