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East Tangat Gunboat: a gentle introduction to wreck diving
The East Tangat Gunboat is one of Coron’s shallowest and most accessible wrecks. Located just a short boat ride from town, this small WWII gunboat rests at a depth of only 3 to 18 meters. Because of its location and conditions, it’s a perfect site for beginners, snorkelers, or anyone who wants a calm and easy dive.
Although it’s smaller than other famous wrecks in the area, East Tangat Gunboat still offers a unique blend of history and marine life. Originally part of the Japanese fleet, it was sunk during the same 1944 air raid that left so many ships scattered across Coron Bay.
Season
Oct-May
Marine life around East Tangat Gunboat
Like many wrecks in Coron Bay, East Tangat Gunboat has become a small but vibrant artificial reef. You’ll likely see damselfish, parrotfish, and angelfish swimming above the structure. In the nooks and crannies, nudibranchs and small crustaceans hide, while sponges and soft corals slowly reclaim the metal surfaces. Because of the shallow depth, colors are vivid and perfect for underwater photography.
In addition, the sandy slope surrounding the wreck is home to garden eels, gobies, and other small reef dwellers, which adds even more variety to your dive.
Why diving East Tangat Gunboat is great for new divers
One of the reasons East Tangat Gunboat is so popular is because of how approachable it is. With most of the structure between 5 and 10 meters deep, divers can stay shallow while exploring the wreck. There’s plenty of light, excellent visibility, and minimal current—making it a stress-free environment for learning and discovery.
Dive centers often use this site for check dives, refresher courses, or even first-time experiences. Yet despite its simplicity, it still offers enough structure and variety to keep certified divers entertained.
Dive planning for East Tangat Gunboat
Thanks to its proximity to Coron town and easy profile, East Tangat Gunboat is included in many daily dive trips. It’s commonly paired with deeper wrecks or reef sites and serves as an ideal first or last dive of the day. Snorkelers can also enjoy the view from the surface, as much of the wreck is clearly visible in just a few meters of water.
No special training is needed to dive this wreck, but good buoyancy control is still important to protect the marine life growing around it.
Dive equipment
Take a look at some of the specialized equipment that is used during wreck diving.
Wreck diving in Coron
Discover all the interesting wrecks of Coron using our database of dive sites.
Dive centers
Take a look at the different dive centers that offer wreck diving not only in Coron.
Wreck diving techniques
What is so special about wreck diving? One thing is that you can’t go straight up because you are inside.
East Tangat Gunboat is small but memorable
Although it’s one of the smallest wrecks in Coron Bay, East Tangat Gunboat offers something valuable: an easy, relaxing dive with plenty to see. It’s the perfect place to build confidence, enjoy shallow reef life, and connect with Coron’s wartime history—without going deep.
Learning opportunities at East Tangat Gunboat
For those looking to build skills, East Tangat Gunboat is more than just an easy dive—it’s a great classroom. New divers can practice buoyancy and trim without pressure, while instructors often use the site to demonstrate wreck diving techniques in a safe setting.
Because of the stable conditions and shallow depth, even small adjustments in technique become easier to feel and correct. As a result, many divers leave this site feeling more confident and ready for their next underwater challenge.
Three great links
Historical Depths
Discover the fascinating history of Coron bay, a World War II relic site that tells stories of the past. Wikilink
Underwater Wonderland
Experience vibrant marine life as you navigate through the Irako shipwreck, a hub for biodiversity.
Diving Tips
Learn essential diving tips to safely explore this iconic wreck, suitable for divers of varying expertise. When you participate with one of the dive centers you will get a lot of really good information and tips regarding wreck diving.
Marine life around the Kogyu Maru wreck
In addition to its historical significance, Okikawa Maru is surrounded by rich marine biodiversity. Divers often encounter schools of barracuda, tuna, groupers, lionfish, nudibranchs, and occasionally turtles and reef sharks. The coral growth and sponge-covered walls add color and life to the otherwise eerie wreck, making it a favorite for underwater photographers.
Palawan’s wreck diving adventures
Discover everything from dive centers to dive sites with our interactive map, list of trusted dive centers and other useful tools.
Top 4 dive centers
Top four dive centers in Palawan. We did it so you don’t have to. Read more here.
Plan your trip
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List of dive centers
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Top 10 dive sites
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Travel guide
Get tips and advice to make your diving adventure unforgettable. We have put together some tips.
Discover what divers are
saying about us
Here, our customers share their real experiences from diving adventures with us in Palawan. Read genuine reviews, personal stories, and testimonials that highlight their satisfaction with our dive services, guides, and unforgettable underwater moments. Whether it’s exploring shipwrecks, meeting sea turtles, or learning to dive, you’ll find out why so many divers choose us again and again
Very nice experience with a smooth process and some useful tools.
Anna Svensson
Certified Diving Instructor
Half the fun is to plan the trip and read about all the highlights.
Mikael Eriksson
Marine biologist
When I was going to pick some great spots I used the Trip planner.
Lisa Andersson
Underwater Photographer