Kayangan Lake is postcard Coron.
It’s the most photographed part of the island and one that nobody should miss!
In this blog post I’ll go over:
- What you need to know about Kayangan Lake
- How to Get There
- How it compares to other spots on Coron
- FAQs like “do you need a tour to get here?”
And finish off by answering the easiest question ever:
Should you visit Kayangan Lake?
Let’s dive in!
Make sure to check out my Coron Travel Guide or Coron Tourist Spots blog posts to learn more!
What You Need to Know About Coron’s Kayangan Lake
Kayangan Lake is said to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines.
Whether that’s true or not is up for debate 😂.
But looking at the water, it’s easy to see why some people would say so.
The water here is crystal clear, allowing you to see the otherworldly rock formations beneath the surface.
Even though it goes 10 meters (32 ft) deep, you can easily see the bottom.
And you might even spot this bangka wreck!
Getting to Kayangan Lake requires a small workout.
There are about 360 steep steps to climb before getting to the lake.
At the top of the steps is where you’ll find the world-famous view of Coron Bay (the cover photo for this blog post)!
What to Do in Kayangan Lake
Swimming and snorkeling are the best – and really the only – things to do in Kayangan Lake.
That said, the refreshing water and gorgeous rock formations below can keep you swimming for hours.
If it wasn’t for our tour ending, we could’ve stayed much, MUCH longer.
Swimming with a life vest is mandatory around here. However, nobody enforces this, and we tried diving around a bit (do this at your own risk though!).
There are also a few caves around Kayangan Lake.
These aren’t much, but you can get some thrills by seeing who can venture the deepest into the blackness.
It would’ve been nice to kayak around here, but that’s reserved for Twin Lagoon.
Aside from that, make sure to get some photos in the famous Coron postcard location at the top of the hill:
You might be tired from climbing the steps when you get here, so taking a few snaps is a great way to rest a bit.
Are There Establishments in Kayangan Lake?
Aside from a restroom in the docking area, there are no establishments in Kayangan Lake.
If you want to rent snorkeling gear, you’ll need to do this before the tour begins (snorkel rentals cost around php150 or $3).
The reason there aren’t any establishments in Kayangan Lake – or the rest of Coron Island for that matter – is that the island belongs to the indigenous Tagbanua tribe.
They’re also the caretakers of Kayangan Lake!
It’s interesting to keep that in mind as you’re enjoying the wonders of the island.
How to Get to Kayangan Lake
You can get to Kayangan Lake by either joining a group tour or hiring a boat for a private tour.
Kayangan Lake is included in the Ultimate Highlights Tour, Super Ultimate Tour, and Coron Island Tour A package.
Note: the tours below are provided by Millenial Tours. However, you’ll find most tour companies in Coron offer almost the same itineraries and prices.
Ultimate Highlights Tour (What I Did)
Price: php1,450/pax
Pick-up Time: 8-9 am
End Time: 5 pm
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
Notes: A great way to get a taste of all Coron has to offer! Keep in mind though that some spots can be added/removed depending on tides and how many visitors there are – but Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon are always part of it.
Super Ultimate Tour
Price: php1,699/pax (php1,590 if you book here)
Spots:
- Kayangan Lake
- Twin Lagoon
- Barracuda Lake
- Smith or Dimanglet Beach
- Skeleton Wreck
- CYC Beach
- Coral Garden or Siete Pescados
Notes: The main difference between this and the Ultimate Highlights Tour is the inclusion of Barracuda Lake! Other than that, the spots can also change depending on tides and visitor numbers.
Coron Island Tour A
Price: php950/pax
Pick-up Time: 8-9 am
End Time: 5 pm
Spots:
- Kayangan Lake
- Green Lagoon
- Quin Reef
- Las Isla de Coral
- CYC Beach
- Smith or Atwayan Beach
Notes: Tour A leaves out Twin Lagoon (my favorite spot), so I would only go for this if you’re doing Tour B on another day, or you really want to see Kayangan but need to save some money!
Kayangan Lake vs Twin Lagoon
The main difference between these two wonders is that Kayangan Lake is for swimming, while Twin Lagoon is better for kayaking!
You can swim in Twin Lagoon. But the lack of other swimmers, the rawness of the place, and the warning by the guide to not swim so far might make you feel a little uneasy.
Over in Kayangan, you’ll feel very safe.
You can’t kayak here, but the best part of Kayangan is what’s underneath the water anyway.
So get your snorkels and spend some time marveling at the formations below!
Kayangan Lake vs Barracuda Lake
Kayangan Lake is more developed, better for swimming, and has shallow areas. Whereas Barracuda Lake is more raw, undeveloped, and gets deep instantly.
Barracuda Lake is the favorite of Coron scuba divers since it gets VERY deep.
There’s also an interesting phenomenon here where the temperature of the water changes quickly as you descend.
If you’re scared of barracudas, there’s no need to worry.
They found bones of one here, but you’re highly unlikely to meet one there nowadays.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kayangan Lake
Do You Need to Book in Advance to Visit Kayangan Lake?
No! You can ask for assistance from your accommodation when you arrive and they’ll be glad to help you.
However, during peak season, it might be wise to book in advance by using a booking site like Klook.
Does Kayangan Lake Have an Entrance Fee?
Kayangan Lake has a php300 ($6) entrance fee. However, if you’re on a group tour, this fee will already be included in the package.
If you’re doing a private tour, you can pay this fee to your boatman.
What’s the Best Tour For Kayangan Lake?
The Super Ultimate Tour is the best tour to see Kayangan Lake because it’s the only one that includes all 3 of Coron’s most famous spots (Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Barracuda Lake).
If you want to spend more time on each spot, you can opt to take Coron Island Tour A on one day, and Tour B on another.
Or, if you’re looking to save, you can go for the Ultimate Highlights Tour or just the Coron Island Tour A.
What is Kayangan Lake Known For?
Kayangan Lake is world famous for its beautiful view of Coron Bay.
It’s also very popular for its crystal clear water and otherworldly rock formations underneath.
Does Kayangan Lake Have Hotels Nearby?
No. Coron Island is owned by the indigenous Tagbanua tribe. So no tourist establishments can be built on the island.
You can find hotels in Coron Town on the neighboring Busuanga Island.
How Deep is Kayangan Lake?
Kayangan Lake is around 10 meters (32 feet) deep. There are shallow areas though, so you can still enjoy this beauty even if you don’t know how to swim.
Also, wearing life vests here is mandatory. Your tour should provide you with one, so you can enjoy the lake even if you don’t know how to swim!
How Many Steps on Kayangan Lake?
There are 360 steps on Kayangan Lake – half going up, and half going down.
The steps are quite steep, so get ready for a little workout. However, when you get to the view deck and the lake after, you’ll find that it is well worth it!
Is Kayangan Lake Saltwater?
Kayangan Lake is said to be 30% salt water and 70% fresh water.
Conclusion: Is Kayangan Lake Worth a Visit?
You already know what I’m going to say…
OF COURSE!
If you don’t visit Kayangan, have you even really been to Coron at all?
It’s the bread and butter of this place if you will.
So whether you’re hopping on the Ultimate Highlights Tour…
Super Ultimate Tour…
Coron Tour A…
Or getting a private boat for a private tour…
Make SURE you include Kayangan Lake!
You’ll love it.
I’m sure.
Looking for more tips on traveling Coron? Check out my travel guide here, or my tourist spots post here!