If I had to describe Coron with one word, it would be UNFAIR.
As our plane took off from Coron, I vividly remember thinking if I’ll ever get to see a place as beautiful ever again.
It’s almost unfair how much beauty was dumped into this one small island, tucked away on the top of Palawan.
But alright… alright…
You’re not here for my sentimental thoughts.
You’re here because you’re actually going to Coron, and you want to know what you need to know before your trip!
In this Coron Travel Guide, I’ll go over everything – from what to expect, travel requirements, what to do, and so much more.
There’s a LOT to discuss, so let’s dive right in!
Coron Travel Facts (Understanding Coron)
| Travel Difficulty Rating: | 1 out of 4 (Tourist Zone) |
| Price Rating: | 3 out of 4 (Relatively Expensive) |
| Best For: | Awe-inspiring Nature Big Groups Shipwreck Diving |
Before we jump into the details, there are a few important things you need to know first.
Coron is a unique travel destination for a number of reasons.
Here are some of them:
- Coron Town is NOT on Coron Island
Coron town is actually located on Busuanga Island. This town is where you’ll find accommodation, and where all the tours are based.
Coron Island, on the other hand, is where you’ll find famous spots like Kayangan Lake.
Finally, Coron the Municipality covers Coron Town, Coron Island, and about half of Busuanga Island.
Here’s what I mean:
That said, “Coron” is a catch-all name for the entire region. People even consider Calauit Safari and Culion Island, which are FAR away, still part of Coron.
Fun fact: Coron Island is actually still owned by the Tagbanua tribe. And aside from the famous lakes, the island is mostly off-limits to tourists.
Nowadays, the Tagbanua tribe is responsible for keeping the tourist areas clean and beautiful, so you may see some of them while you’re visiting!
- Going DIY is HARD in Coron
Again, most of Coron Island is off-limits to tourists.
That’s why unless you join a tour, getting to the island is not going to be easy at all.
The most DIY-ish you can go is to rent a private tour boat. You can avoid crowds this way, but it can get expensive if you aren’t with a big group.
- Coron is a Tourist Zone
Okay… Coron is difficult to go DIY…
But that doesn’t mean that it’s a place that’s difficult for tourists! In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Even if you aren’t an experienced traveler, you won’t run into many problems here in Coron.
Why?
Because it’s a tourist zone.
Busuanga’s soil isn’t suitable for farming. And the locals aren’t allowed to fish around Coron island either.
That’s why Coron town exists almost entirely for tourism.
The locals are VERY friendly and accommodating. They know what tourists are and what they’re there to do.
You’ll have almost ZERO problems when you visit!
How to Get to Coron
There are daily flights from Manila and Cebu to Coron. If you’re in El Nido, there are also daily ferries that you can ride – or you can hop on the occasional plane from El Nido to Coron.
Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU), which serves Coron, is located in the middle of Busuanga island.
When you land, you can take a van that’ll take you straight to your hotel in Coron town. This takes another 30-40 minutes. (You can book a seat online here, or rent an entire van for about php1,500 – 1,900).
People will be immediately asking you which hotel you’re staying in when you first step out of the airport. You might feel a little skeptical at first, but these guys are actually asking since different vans serve different areas of Coron town – so they can direct you to the right van for you!
If you arrive at the port, you’ll find plenty of tricycles that can take you to your hotel. You can also rent a van if you prefer that.
Note: If you wanna know how to get to Coron from El Nido or Puerto Princessa, see the FAQs below!
Coron Travel Requirements
As of 2024, Coron is open to everyone that is fully vaccinated! To enter Coron, you’ll need:
- A vaccination card (or a VaxCert for foreigners)
- A confirmed booking from a DOT-accredited accommodation, and
- A valid ID
S-Pass and tour bookings are NO LONGER REQUIRED.
Disclaimer! These are correct as of 2023. I’m going to do my best to keep this up-to-date, but please check with the Coron Tourism Office’s Facebook page for official updates!
Last Updated: December 14, 2023
Coron Travel Map
Coming soon! For now, here’s a really nice map by Guide to the Philippines!
Since DIY travel is difficult here, you probably won’t need a travel map too much (the tours can take care of that for you).
Nonetheless, if you wanna know where things are, here’s how you can divide up “Coron”:
- Coron Town
- Coron Island
- Coron Sea
- Busuanga Town
- Calauit
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Coron Town
Nestled right at the southeastern tip of Busuanga Island is Coron Town.
And like I’ve said before, this is a tourist town, and a small one at that.
No fishing, not many crops, so you’ll find most people here extremely friendly.
This is where almost all the accommodations and restaurants are. They even have a McDonald’s up for tourists who need a fast food fix.
Aside from the Mt. Tapyas view deck, there isn’t much to see in Coron town. The Maquinit hot spring is a full 20 minutes away, and there’s nothing spectacular about the old church and park they have here.
Closer to the sea, there’s a reclaimed area (with noticeably red soil) where all the tours jump off from.
And those tours will take you to…
Coron Island
This is where the real beauty lies.
From afar, Coron looks like a sleeping giant.
Up close?
The massive limestone walls will take your breath away.
One of the things that make Coron Island such a unique tourist spot is that you aren’t actually allowed to visit most of it.
Again, this is the home of the Tagbanua tribe, and only very few people actually get to meet these people.
Might sound like a bummer, but trust me, it’s not.
When you see the gorgeous lakes that are open for tourism, you’ll already find that this is easily one of the most beautiful places in the WORLD.
There are three popular spots on Coron Island, all with their own unique flare.
The Twin Lagoons are two lagoons adjacent to one another, separated by a thin wall of limestone. On the docking side, you can get on a kayak. On the inside lagoon, you can go swimming.
To get across, you’ll either have to swim under a small hole in the wall or climb the little wooden stairs to the other side.
Kayangan Lake is the main swimming area. And it’s also very well known for the most famous view in all of Coron:
You’ll have to climb about 300 steps up and down to get to the lake, but boy is it worth it!
Finally, Barracuda Lake is similar to Kayangan.
The main difference is that it has a less developed feel. There are fewer crowds here, and the lake is much deeper.
It’s so deep, that people even go scuba diving here!
Coron “Sea”
Coron “sea” (which is actually part of the Sulu Sea) is what I like to call the waters surrounding Coron town and Coron island.
There’s quite a lot to see here as well!
There are a bunch of islands and islets, with beautiful white sand beaches. If you go on a Coron tour, they’re sure to bring you to one of these!
There are coral gardens that are bursting with life. You’ll find all kinds of colorful corals, and schools upon schools of fish as well!
And, most mysteriously, there are a dozen shipwrecks littered over Coron’s waters.
These shipwrecks are from World War 2 when Japan occupied the Philippines. These ships were sunken by American planes, and they stayed down there for almost a century already!
Some of the wrecks are very well preserved, and going for a scuba dive here is well worth it!
Busuanga Island
Busuanga Island is actually pretty big.
It might feel small since most of the action is only in Coron town, but it’ll take you hours to drive around this whole island.
Again, most of Busuanga isn’t suitable for farming. Instead, you’ll find large ranches (with Australian cows), bare hills, and an occasional forest while riding around.
Then, of course, there’s Busuanga town.
It’s a very small town. You might stop over here to grab lunch while doing a Calauit Safari tour.
Speaking of which…
Calauit
On the other end of Busuanga Island, there’s a narrow strait that separates the mainland from Calauit Island.
Here’s where you’ll find one of the more bizarre things about Coron – a safari.
That’s right.
There are giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and Calamian deer that are free to roam around the island.
These were brought here during Ferdinand Marcos’ time as president. And, since they were well fed and happy, they reproduced.
Nowadays, the giraffes and zebras there are actually the third generation already. So this island – almost in the middle of nowhere – is their home now.
Also, nearby Calauit, there are a bunch of other cool islands. One of the more well-known ones is Black Island.
This place is unique for having:
- A white sand beach
- A literal shipwreck right there on the shore
- Beautiful rock formations, and
- A cave
Sounds cool, right?
Where to Stay in Coron
While Coron is generally more expensive than other areas of the Philippines, you’ll find that there’s accommodation for everyone!
Whether you’re a backpacker, or on a luxury getaway, there’s sure to be something that fits your needs!
Here are the main areas where you can find places to stay:
Coron Town
Once again, the center of all the action.
There’s literally something for everyone here.
There are backpacker stays that go for as low as php500 ($10) a night.
There are mid-range hotels that range from php2,000 ($40) to php5,000 ($100).
And from there, there are grand hotels and resorts where you can have a luxury getaway.
When we were here, we stayed in La Natura, a mid-range hotel on the outskirts of Coron Town.
As the name implies, you will feel nature when you’re over there.
The only problem was, there wasn’t any cellphone signal, the wifi was ridiculously slow, and there was no air conditioning (although I didn’t find it warm).
But hey? It’s “The Nature” after all. Right?
You can book La Natura here, or check out these other options:
Hostels:
- Amparo’s Tourist Inn – Affordable Inn in the heart of Coron Town.
- B&B Backpackers – Mixed dormitory rooms with bunk beds and curtains. Located near docking area.
- Happy Camper Hostel – Wide space hostel with a shared kitchen and lounge to hang out and socialize.
Mid-Price:
- Purple Homestay – This homestay has a beautiful sea view with only a 5-10min walk to the town and just 870 meters to Maquinit hot spring.
- Blue Waters Inn Coron Palawan – A gorgeous hotel located in the heart of Coron Town. Property has two shared dining areas where guests can bring up their own food and use the amenities.
- Hop Hostel – Beautiful bunk beds with curtains. A big balcony with a great view and a rooftop bar!
High-end:
- Zuri Resort – Beautiful hotel with a relaxing lobby. Big swimming pool fronting the sea. There is also a kiddie pool for your kids to enjoy. Located walking distance to eateries and other sunset beaches.
- Coron Westown Resort – Spacious rooms, friendly staff and only a few mins drive to the city. Enjoy the pool, gym and restaurant at Westown resort.
- Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel – Beautiful rooms, friendly staff and great services. You’ll also enjoy an infinity pool that provides an excellent view of the Coron Bay.
Busuanga
It’s easy to forget that Busuanga is a big island.
Scattered all across the shores are plenty of places to stay if you want to avoid the crowds. There are also several dive resorts that are much closer to the shipwreck sites than Coron town.
I personally wouldn’t recommend staying outside Coron Town if you’re planning to do the usual tourist activities. Transportation here is hard to find, so you may run into some problems.
But if you’re an adventurer, and want something different from the usual, then maybe getting one of these off-the-beaten-path stays is for you!
Coron Island???
Nope!
There are NO hotels or accommodation on Coron Island itself.
But there is this one houseboat floating off the coast of Coron which starts at around $500/night (and can get a LOT more expensive depending on the season).
Sounds creepy to be all alone next to a mostly untouched island. But if you want the thrills, why not?
Coron Activities (What to do in Coron!)
Coron isn’t the type of place where you just chill in your hotel all day.
There are a LOT of things to do and see over here, such as:
Things to do in Coron #1: Visit the Beautiful Lakes of Coron Island
If you’re in Coron, you must, MUST visit at least 2 of the 3 gorgeous lakes on the island.
If you could only do one thing in Coron, this would be it.
The lakes they have here are unlike anything else you can find in the Philippines (and I reckon the world as well?)
I recommend Twin Lagoon and Kayangan Lake, but if you can throw Barracuda Lake in there as well, then go for it!
Want to learn more about the different tourist spots in Coron? Read my blog about them here!
To get to these lakes, you’ll need to join a tour.
I’ll show you what types of tours you can go for in Coron, but first…
Things to do in Coron #2: Climb Mt. Tapyas and Chill in Maquinit Hot Spring
Tour companies offer “Coron Town Tours” for about php699/head ($14).
My advice?
Skip these!
Instead, you can go DIY mode. Hop on a tricycle, and ask him to take you to the two best spots in Coron Town: Mt. Tapyas and Maquinit Hot Spring.
Of course, you can also throw in the old church or the town plaza if you really want.
But Mt. Tapyas and Maquinit are the ones that you really shouldn’t miss!
The foot of Mt. Tapyas is found right in the heart of Coron Town. To get to the top, you’ll have to walk up 720 steps (quite a workout!).
The views from above are well worth it though.
Here, you’ll get a great vantage point of the entire Coron town.
And if you look to your left, you’ll see exactly why they call Coron Island a sleeping giant.
Maquinit Hot Spring is found a full 15 minutes away from Coron Town. Dipping in the hot, relaxing water is a great thing to do after a long day of exploring.
What makes this spring so unique is that it’s the ONLY known saltwater hot spring in the country.
Other than that, there are plenty of tables and chairs to chill on here. And there’s even a little mangrove forest, with Coron Island in the background, where you can take some cool pictures!
At the end of the day, we paid our tricycle driver php1,000 ($20) for our little tour (STILL cheaper than the Town Tours if you’re more than 1 person).
Things to do in Coron #3: Go Wreck Diving
With so many mystical shipwrecks littered all around Coron, it’s no surprise that there are a bunch of dive resorts here.
Now you might be thinking…
“But I can’t scuba dive! I don’t have training!”
Welp!
Guess what?
You don’t need training to try it out!
Coron is one of the best places to go discovery diving.
You’ll get a quick lesson on the basics, a quick assessment by your instructor if you’re ready, then off to the deep shipwrecks you go!
And don’t worry if you haven’t mastered anything in the short training. Because if need be, your instructor can “carry” you around instead.
This way, you still get to enjoy the magical shipwrecks up close, but don’t have to worry too much about having to manage your buoyancy (and all the other skills that come with scuba diving).
Of course, if you’re already a certified scuba diver, then you can enjoy the shipwrecks even more!
Things to do in Coron #4: Visit Calauit Safari
If you have an extra day in Coron, then I highly recommend you spend a day at the other end of Busuanga Island – Calauit!
No, there aren’t nearly as many animals in Calauit as there are in something like Cebu Safari.
But the fact that they’re free to roam around makes this island such a unique place. At times, you’ll actually feel like you’re in Jurassic Park – especially at the entrance where you’ll be picked up by a safari jeep!
You also get to feed the giraffes here, which allows you to get really close to them.
Aside from the giraffes, zebras, and Calamian deer, there’s also a small zoo where you can see other local animals like monkeys, porcupines, crocodiles, turtles, and more!
Getting to Calauit takes a full 2 hours by van and boat, and most tours only stay at the safari for more or less 2 hours.
So to make the most out of your day, you should definitely get a Safari tour that also includes a side trip to Black Island!
Things to do in Coron #5: Go Beach Hopping
One of the more laid-back things to do at Coron is to visit some of the beautiful islets that dot the Coron sea.
Although Coron is famous for its lakes, and not really because of their white-sand beaches, they still have them anyway.
That’s why I say Coron is so beautiful, it’s almost unfair.
Most tours of Coron island will include a white sand beach or two, you’ll probably even have lunch in one of them.
But if you want more time on the beach, you can get a dedicated tour that’ll take you to the different beaches around Coron!
Where to Eat in Coron
Alright, so first up, there are a BUNCH of places to eat all over Coron Town.
But while we were at Coron, we decided to ask the locals where the best places to eat were.
And every dinnertime, we would go and check the place out.
Here’s what we got!
Lobster King
One popular place to have dinner is Lobster King.
Here you can eat – you guessed it – lobsters.
You can choose between king lobsters or the cheaper rock lobsters. And you can have them prepared either grilled, steamed with butter, or fried.
The lobsters here are as fresh as they get! They’ll present them live to you before cooking.
Aside from lobsters, they also have a bunch of different seafood to choose from. We went with some mud crab, which was just as delicious!
Note: Some locals told us later on that Lobster King is actually quite expensive. And if you want to get cheaper lobsters, there’s a little store beside Two Seasons hotel where you can order and have it cooked!
Also, I wasn’t able to get pictures here since I was STARVING.
Carl’s BBQ
Another recommendation we got was Carl’s BBQ, a cozy barbecue place that’s within walking distance from Mt. Tapyas.
Here they serve a strange mix of Pinoy and Korean barbecue dishes. But their specialty is the Carl’s BBQ Delight, a BIG stick with meat and vegetables that’s doused with Korean sauce.
Of all the places we ate, this one was my favorite for the food and cozy atmosphere.
Island Boy
If you’re the type of person that enjoys live bands, then you should check out Island Boy.
Island Boy is found in the reclaimed port area of Coron. This makes it just a stone’s throw away from where your tour boat drops you off, and also Lualhti Park.
As for their food, they have a bunch of options you can go for. They have the normal Pinoy barbecue foods, as well as a bunch of seafood options as well.
And, of course, they have a live band, which is really what sets this place apart from the others.
Another place I wasn’t able to get pics due to hunger!
Cashew Pasalubongs!
Another thing to eat while in Coron is some of the cashew pasalubongs you can find all over the town.
There isn’t a lot of agriculture in Coron, but they do have plenty of cashew trees.
You can get cashew nuts almost anywhere here. Or, you can try the creative twists people have tried with cashews, such as:
- Cashew tarts
- Cashew butterscotch
- Cashew of the gods
- Cashew butter
- Cashew polvoron
and more!
You can usually find these in pasalubong stores. We got ours right across the foot of Mt. Tapyas.
Sample Coron Tours
Like I said, exploring Coron is difficult without the tours.
So to give you a better idea of your options, here are the tours offered by Millenial Tours!
Note: I already talked about this in my top 10 Coron Tourist spots article, so I just copied and pasted that over here.
Coron Town Tour
Price: php699/pax
Pick-up Time: 3-4pm
End Time: 6pm
Spots:
- Coron Souvenir Shop
- Lualhati Park
- Town Plaza
- St. Agustin Church
- Mt. Tapyas View Deck
- Coron Cashew Factory
- Maquinit Hot Spring
Personal Thoughts:
The town tour is definitely the most convenient way to explore Coron Town.
However, if you’re like me, you might not want to do all of this in an organized tour. Instead, you can easily hop on a tricycle and tell them to take you to these spots!
Plus, a lot of these spots are close to one another, so you can just walk if you want to!
Ultimate Highlights Tour
Price: php1,450/pax
Pick-up Time: 8-9am
End Time: 5pm
Spots:
- Kayangan Lake
- Twin Lagoon
- Smith or Dimanglet Beach
- Skeleton Wreck
- CYC Beach
- Malwawey Reef or Las Isla de Coral
- Coral Garden or Siete Pescados
Personal Thoughts:
This is the tour that I went on when I was at Coron. And it’s a tour that, I’d say, if you only had one day in Coron, you should definitely do!
It’s probably the best way to see everything that Coron has to offer.
Take note that some of the spots listed here can be removed by the tour operations depending on the tides/crowds. But the main spots – Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon – are almost never removed.
Beach Escapade Tour
Price: php1,499/pax
Spots:
- Malcapuya Island
- Banana Island or Ditaytayan white sand bar
- Bulog dos or Coco Beach
Personal Thoughts:
I personally wouldn’t go to Coron for the beaches.
Yes, they do have amazing beaches there – but so does almost every other province in the Philippines.
That’s why I’d go on this tour only if I had a day to spare in Coron. Otherwise, visiting the lakes, safari, and even trying scuba diving are much more worth it for me.
Reef & Wreck + Beach Tour
Price: php1,499/pax
Spots:
- Pass Island White Sand Beach
- Lusong Gunboat Ship Wreck
- Lusong Coral Garden
- East Tangat Wreck or Water Falls
Personal Thoughts:
I haven’t gone on this tour, but to me, the best way to see the wrecks is to try scuba diving.
Again, you don’t have to be certified to try! The instructors will teach you the basics of scuba first.
Then, if they see you fit, they’ll take you to some of the easier wrecks to explore, like the Tangat wreck.
However, if that’s not your cup of tea, you could always go on tours like this one, which also includes white sand beaches as well.
Super Ultimate Tour
Price: php1,699/pax
Spots:
- Kayangan Lake
- Twin Lagoon
- Barracuda Lake
- Smith or Dimanglet Beach
- Skeleton Wreck
- CYC Beach
- Coral Garden or Siete Pescados
Personal Notes:
The main difference between the super ultimate tour and the ultimate highlights tour is the inclusion of Barracuda Lake!
And just like the ultimate highlights tour, some spots can be removed by the tour operators depending on the situation.
Coron Island Tour A
Price: php950/pax
Pick-up Time: 8-9am
End Time: 5pm
Spots:
- Kayangan Lake
- Green Lagoon
- Quin Reef
- Las Isla de Coral
- CYC Beach
- Smith or Atwayan Beach
Personal Notes:
If you’re staying for several days, and want to spend more time at Kayangan Lake or Twin Lagoon – then you should consider going Coron Island Tour A AND B on separate days!
Also, if you’re on a tight budget, going for one of these tours will also save you some money.
All in all, I think it’s more practical to go for the ultimate highlights or super ultimate tour.
But if you can go for both tour A and tour B, why not do it? You’ll get more time to enjoy the hotspots, plus, you’ll also explore some lesser-known spots as well.
Coron Island Tour B
Price: php950/pax
Pick-up Time: 8-9am
End Time: 5pm
Spots:
- Twin Lagoon
- Barracuda Lake
- Smith Beach
- Skeleton Wreck
- Malwawey Reef or Coral Garden
Personal Thoughts:
Same as Tour A.
If anything, if you could only choose one, I’d prefer tour B. To me, it feels more complete, even though you’ll be missing out on the famous Kayangan Lake.
Calauit Safari with Island Hopping
Price: php2,499/pax
Pick-up Time: 6-6:30am
Spots:
- Calauitt Safari Park
- Busuanga Town
- Black Island White Sand Beach
- Black Island Cave
Personal Thoughts:
It might be pricey, but this tour is well worth it!
Black Island was one of my personal favorites in Coron, so missing out on it will be quite a bummer.
Also, Calauit Safari is quite a unique experience too. While there aren’t super many animals, the fact that they’re free to roam around is really what makes the place special.
Those are the tours offered by Millenial tours, but you’ll find that most tour companies offer something similar to that one.
Scuba diving companies also have their own itineraries, and you could also rent a private boat to take you anywhere you want.
However, that’s really the only “problem” I had with Coron, it’s very difficult to go DIY. But honestly? Because of how beautiful it all is, I’ll give the tours a pass.
Sample Coron Itineraries (+What I Did)
You can explore most places in 3 days. But if you’re visiting Coron, I highly recommend staying AT LEAST 4 days.
Might sound like a lot, but you’ll thank me later.
The reason for this is that most flights arrive in Coron late morning or early afternoon (making them too late to hop on most tours), and leave Coron around the same time (so you can’t do a tour on the day you’re going home).
Make sense?
If you only stayed 3 days, you can only have one tour (and maybe the town tour too).
But okay, maybe some of you just won’t have that much time. So here are some sample itineraries you can go for!
Sample 3D2N Coron Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival, Town Tour
- 11:00 – Arrive at Busuanga Airport
- 12:00 – Lunch
- 14:00 – Check in Hotel
- 16:00 – Mt. Tapyas (or join an organized town tour)
- 17:00 – Maquinit Hot Spring
- 19:00 – Dinner at Lobster King
Day 2 – Super Ultimate Tour
- 8:00 – Start Super Ultimate Tour!
- Kayangan Lake
- Twin Lagoon
- Barracuda Lake
- Smith or Dimanglet Beach
- Skeleton Wreck
- CYC Beach
- Coral Garden or Siete Pescados
- 17:00 – End Tour
- 18:00 – Visit a Souvenir and Pasalubong Shop
- 19:00 – Dinner at Carl’s BBQ
Day 3 – Going Home
- 7:00 – Breakfast at Hotel
- 10:00 – Flight home!
Sample 4D3N Coron Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival, Town Tour
- 11:00 – Arrive at Busuanga Airport
- 12:00 – Lunch
- 14:00 – Check in Hotel
- 16:00 – Mt. Tapyas (or join an organized town tour)
- 17:00 – Maquinit Hot Spring
- 19:00 – Dinner at Lobster King
Day 2 – Super Ultimate Tour
- 8:00 – Start Super Ultimate Tour!
- Kayangan Lake
- Twin Lagoon
- Barracuda Lake
- Smith or Dimanglet Beach
- Skeleton Wreck
- CYC Beach
- Coral Garden or Siete Pescados
- 17:00 – End Tour
- 18:00 – Visit a Souvenir and Pasalubong Shop
- 19:00 – Dinner at Carl’s BBQ
Day 3 – Calauit Safari and Black Island
- 6:00 – Meetup at Tour Office
- 9:00 – Arrive at Calauit Safari
- 12:00 – Lunch in Busuanga Town
- 14:00 – Arrive at Black Island
- 16:00 – Back at Busuanga Town
- 18:00 – Back in Coron Town
- 19:00 – Dinner at Island Boy
Day 4 – Going Home
- 7:00 – Breakfast at Hotel
- 10:00 – Flight home!
Sample 5D4N Coron Itinerary (What I Did!)
Note: This is exactly what I did when I was there! I actually recommend tweaking this a bit – like doing the town tour on day 1 instead of just chilling. But other than that, I’d say it’s a pretty good itinerary overall.
Day 1 – Arrival, Chill at Hotel
- 15:00 – Arrive at Busuanga Airport
- 16:00 – Check in and chill in Hotel
- 19:00 – Dinner in Hotel
Day 2 – Super Ultimate Tour and Maquinit Hot Spring
- 8:00 – Start Super Ultimate Tour!
- Kayangan Lake
- Twin Lagoon
- Barracuda Lake
- Smith or Dimanglet Beach
- Skeleton Wreck
- CYC Beach
- Coral Garden or Siete Pescados
- 17:00 – End Tour
- 18:00 – Maquinit Hot Spring
- 19:00 – Dinner at Lobster King
Day 3: Scuba Diving and Mt. Tapyas
- 8:00 – Meetup at Port
- 10:00 – Quick training and East Tangat dive
- 12:00 – Lunch in Boat
- 14:00 – Lusong Gunboat Dive (certified divers only)
- 15:00 – Maldapon Reef Dive
- 16:00 – Back in Coron Town
- 17:00 – Mt. Tapyas
- 18:00 – Pasalubong Shop
- 20:00 – Dinner at Carl’s BBQ
Day 4 – Calauit Safari and Black Island
- 6:00 – Meetup at Tour Office
- 9:00 – Arrive at Calauit Safari
- 12:00 – Lunch in Busuanga Town
- 14:00 – Arrive at Black Island
- 16:00 – Back at Busuanga Town
- 18:00 – Back in Coron Town
- 19:00 – Dinner at Island Boy
Day 4 – Going Home
- 7:00 – Breakfast at Hotel
- 10:00 – Flight home!
Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling Coron
And that’s about everything you need to know about traveling Coron.
But, if you still have some questions, let me try and answer them for you.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about traveling Coron!
When is the Best Time to Visit Coron?
A big, FAT, dry season! Since a LOT of the adventure in Coron is accessible by boat, you don’t want your trips to be canceled due to a storm! The dry season in Coron runs from November to April.
Now, this doesn’t mean that you absolutely can’t visit Coron any time else (in fact, I visited in May). But just expect some rain!
As long as there isn’t a storm, the tour should go on anyway.
The “wettest” months of Coron run from June to September.
If you’re willing to risk it, you’ll find that you might be able to avoid the crowds by traveling at this time!
How Many Days Should I Stay in Coron?
At least FOUR! Try to go for 5 if possible because of the way Coron tours work. If you stay only 3 days, you’ll probably only be able to join 1 tour.
Four days should be enough to see Coron town, take a tour of Coron island, and either scuba dive or visit Calauit Safari.
If you do five, you can do all of these.
And if you do SIX, then you can even throw in a beach hopping tour. Or maybe go on two separate tours of Coron Island to get more time and visit the lesser-known spots!
Of course, you might also want to spend some time in places like El Nido or Puerto Princessa.
If that’s the case, then maybe 3 days will be alright.
What is Better, El Nido or Coron?
Generally speaking, El Nido is better for couples, while Coron is better for groups of friends!
I haven’t been to El Nido (yet!), but I’m told that it’s just as beautiful as Coron. And looking at the pictures I can sure see why!
Coron is really best traveled with a group.
If you’re a big group, you can even rent your own tour boat, and you can make your own itinerary and stay as long as you want on the spots!
Why is Coron the Best for Snorkeling?
Coron is an awesome snorkeling destination because of its awe-inspiring underwater rock formations, its reefs bursting with life, AND the mysterious World War 2 shipwrecks found all over its waters.
If you have snorkeling gear, make sure to bring them along! If you don’t, you can easily rent one before your tour begins.
Also, for the shipwrecks, I actually recommend trying scuba diving. You can snorkel there, but you won’t be able to get up close and explore it as much (unless you’re a good freediver).
What’s the Difference Between Barracuda Lake and Kayangan Lake?
Kayangan Lake is more developed, better for swimming, and overall more popular. Barracuda Lake is rawer, deeper, and better for more adventurous people.
The reason Kayangan Lake is so popular for swimming is that it has shallow areas. If you just want to take a quick dip, this is the place to do it.
Barracuda Lake, on the other hand, is instantly deep. It’s also very interesting because as you go deeper, the temperature of the water changes. There were also bones of a Barracuda fish found here (although you’re very unlikely to actually meet one).
How far is Coron from El Nido?
Coron is 127 kilometers (78 miles) away from El Nido. Traveling there by boat will take you around 6 hours while traveling with a fast craft will take about 3 hours and 30 minutes – while traveling by plane shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes.
How to Get to Coron From El Nido
There are two ways to get to Coron from El Nido – by ferry or by plane!
The most well-known way is by hopping on a boat by Atienza or Montenegro Lines.
Their schedule changes from time to time. The Atienza Ferry currently leaves every day at 12:30 pm except Sundays. You can check the latest schedules and book online here.
Meanwhile, Montenegro Shipping leaves at 12:00 pm every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. You can check their official Facebook page here for updates!
You can also fly to Coron from El Nido with Air Swift.
Flights aren’t regular though, so go and check out their website to know their current schedule.
How far is Coron from Puerto Princessa?
Coron is 298 kilometers away from Puerto Princessa. If you’re going by direct ferry, 13 and a half hours. If you’re going to do a mix of bus and ferry, about 9-10 hours of travel time.
How to Get to Coron From Puerto Princessa
You have 3 main options if you want to get from Coron from Puerto Princessa: A direct ferry, a bus to El Nido followed by a ferry, or a bus to El Nido followed by an Air Swift flight.
There used to be direct flights from Puerto Princessa to Coron by Air Juan. But as far as I can tell, they aren’t operational at the moment.
The most popular shipping line that has ferries from Puerto Princessa to Coron is 2Go Travel.
Right now, their ferry leaves Puerto Princessa every Friday at 2 am and arrives in Coron at 3:30 pm. Visit their website here to see their updated schedule!
If you’re going by land to El Nido, you can either get on a van. If you book online, you can have them pick you up at your hotel in Puerto Princessa, or at the airport. You can also book via the transport kiosk at the airport, or through your accommodation.
Of course, if you’re already going to El Nido, it makes sense to spend a few days there before moving on to Coron (unless you’re short on time of course!).
Ready to Visit Coron?
And there you have it!
That’s about everything you need to know about traveling to Coron.
So if you have your tickets already, I hope this guide made you even MORE excited to visit this absolute gem of an island.
If you don’t have your tickets yet… why… what are you waiting for???
Book your tickets now!
You won’t regret it, I promise.
Still have questions? Leave a comment down below!
very well written comprehensive guide for visiting Coron. thank you so much. we are visiting only for 2 days with my family (total 11 adults) and will be staying at Paolyn Floating Houseboat the last weekend of Jan. 2024.
hoping to have lunch in Coron town before our flight back to MNL at 4:45pm. Paolyn Houseboat provides free RT transfer to the airport. but since, we would like to have lunch in Coron town, my issue is how our group will get to the restaurant? is there a van to take us there & pick us up to be taken to the airport? any recommendations how ti do this and approx cost for the van? we prefer to eat grilled seafoods or lobster, can you suggest a good, reasonable place? will they take only cash or visa card?
thank you so much.
Hey Adelina!
Thanks for the kind words!
For lunch, you can head over to Lobster King. They have fresh lobsters there, it's delicious. The locals told us it's a bit pricier than buying at the market and having it cooked, but since you're in a big group, I think the convenience will make it worth it. Also, they accept major credit cards 🙂
For the van, you can take the free RT transfer and just ask your driver to wait for you while you eat lunch. Just make sure you give a nice tip!
If not, there are plenty of van services around Coron. A private van transfer from town to the airport will cost you around php1,500 – 2,000. All hotels in Coron have contact with van services, so you can ask Paolyn to help you out.
Personally, I'd wait until I'm in Coron and ask for help around there. But if you wanna book a van online, you can do so through Klook.
Hope this helps, and I hope you have a wonderful time in Coron!
Cheers!
Hi. Thanks a lot for such a comprehensive, well-written travel guide. Can you recommend some tour groups or sites? Do I have to book in advance? or is it okay to book them when I arrive in Coron?
Thank you!
Hey Edgar!
Sorry for the super late reply! I was out on another trip hehe.
You can definitely book when you arrive in Coron. When you land in the airport, there are several brochures there where you can call and book a tour. Your van driver from the airport to the town, and your accommodation will all have contacts with tour operators, so it’s super easy to book once you get there.
If you wanna book ahead, you can use Klook, or you can search on Facebook and search there.
Cheers! 🙂
I love how detailed and comprehensive the guide is. Can I ask what camera are u using underwater?
Thanks!
I’m using a GoPro Hero9 Black 🙂
Have you ever tried the exotic “tamilok” (woodworm) dish in Coron? Where can one find this delicacy in town and what is the best way to eat it for a truly authentic experience?”,
“refusal
Hey there!
No actually I haven’t tried that yet.
Not sure if you can find it in Coron, it’s mostly a Puerto Princessa thing as far as I’m aware.
Let me know if you find some though!
Cheers! 🙂