Akitsushima
Why dive here
With 176+ marine species recorded in the area - including giant moray eels, sea turtles, sperm whales, lionfish and pufferfish - Akitsushima offers some of Apo Reef's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 28-30°C, warmest May, June, July.
The Akitsushima wreck at Apo Reef is one of our absolute favourites in the Philippines. This isn't just a sunken boat; it's a hulking piece of history, a Japanese seaplane tender from WWII, now resting on its port side, stern-up, at around 36 metres. We love dropping down and seeing that massive crane arm, still intact, reaching out into the blue, a silent testament to its past life. You'll find schools of big-eye trevally swirling around the superstructure, their silver scales flashing in the ambient light filtering down. Inside, if you're comfortable with penetration, the crew quarters offer some interesting swim-throughs, but it's the external details that really grab us – the machine guns still mounted, encrusted in corals, and the way pufferfish and angelfish have made the metal their home. For experienced wreck divers, this is a phenomenal site, offering both historical intrigue and vibrant reef life. We’d suggest diving it on an early morning tide for the best visibility before the currents pick up.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Akitsushima Wreck History
Year Sunk
1944
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
fire
Tonnage
4,720 tons displacement
The IJN Akitsushima was a unique vessel in the Imperial Japanese Navy fleet. Commissioned in 1942, she was a seaplane tender specifically designed to carry and service the massive H8K 'Emily' flying boats. Her most prominent feature was a huge 35-ton crane mounted on the stern, which was used to lift the giant aircraft from the water for maintenance and repairs. This capability made her a valuable and high-priority asset during the Pacific War.
On September 24, 1944, the Akitsushima was anchored in Coron Bay, Philippines, when she was caught in a massive air raid by US Navy aircraft from Task Force 38. The ship was hit by bombs and strafing fire, which ignited her fuel stores. A catastrophic explosion followed, tearing the vessel apart and sending her to the bottom almost instantly. The Akitsushima sank with significant loss of life, becoming one of several Japanese ships to meet their end in Coron Bay that day.
Today, the Akitsushima is considered the crown jewel of wreck diving in Coron. The 118-meter-long warship lies on its port side at a depth of 36 meters. Divers can explore its ghostly remains, including the colossal crane which now lies on the seabed beside the hull. Anti-aircraft guns are still in their mounts, and the massive engine room offers a thrilling penetration for experienced wreck divers. The entire structure is encrusted with coral and swarmed by marine life, transforming a tomb of war into a vibrant underwater monument.
Nearest Dive Centres to Akitsushima
Dive shops near Akitsushima
D’Divers
Pirate Divers
Chindonan Dive & Beach Resort
Sangat Island Dive Resort
Dive Link Resort
Pirates Diving Center and Resort diveshop
Reviews for Akitsushima
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Akitsushima
Akitsushima Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Akitsushima, sourced from Copernicus Marine satellite data
August Averages
Sea Temperature
29.59°C
85°F
Current Speed
5 cm/s
Direction: NE (53.1°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.051 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
32.91 PSU
Data sources: Copernicus Marine Service (EU)
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