Dive· Coron Island· Philippines
Barracuda Lake
11° 57.4′ N · 120° 13.0′ E · approximate
Called the craziest dive site in the Philippines: you scramble over jagged limestone in full kit, then descend through warm fresh water, a halocline and thermoclines that climb to 38 C, past moonscape walls to a resident barracuda.
Practical
Coordinate is the trailhead/steps (Path to Barracuda Lake) on OpenStreetMap, not the lake surface: approx. coronwrecks.com: 10-15 minute climb over sharp limestone in sandals with fins strapped to the tank; top 4 m fresh, salt below; thermoclines at about 4 m and 14 m; water turns tea-brown at 34-35 m; max 35 m. A cave on the north wall at 33 m runs about 30 m and is cave-diver territory. Snorkelling is popular too. Entrance about PHP 200 (one 2025 guide; PHP 180 in 2018), not sold on site in 2018; arrange through a dive centre or guide. Tagbanwa sacred lake opened in 2001.
Best for
A surreal thermocline dive