Welcome to Coron - Discover more FUN!
Some of our favorite places on earth are the Coron group of islands. We've been to more than 80 countries, but this is where my thoughts always return to when I think of our favorite places we've visited. There's something special about this place.
There are a handful of WWII shipwrecks permanently buried off the coast of Coron in this cluster of small islands. One of the most photographed spots in the Philippines can be found in Coron, which is awe-inspiring on the surface. In Coron, Philippines, the more you look, the more breathtaking the sights become.
Coron Palawan has been a favorite destination of ours since our first visit there in 2014. Before you plan a trip to Coron, Palawan, in the Philippines' remote north, here's what you need to know.
WHERE IS CORON?
Coron is located in the Palawan Province in the far western Philippines, in the Calamian Islands, or Calamianes Archipelago.
Coron Town is located on Busuanga Island, the largest island in the archipelago, and is commonly referred to as Coron. Coron Island, a stunning undeveloped island that most Coron day trips visit, can be confusing.
Many of Coron's top attractions can be found on Coron Island, which is just a 30-minute boat ride away from the town on Busuanga Island. Many beautiful beaches and smaller lagoons can be found in this area, including Twin Lagoons, Kayangan Lake, and Barracuda Lake.
A fishing village of just over 40,000 people, Coron Town is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the Philippines is Coron. The Philippines' Palawan Island has recently been dubbed the world's most beautiful island, and we have to agree.
Cebu Pacific and Philippines Airlines offer daily flights from Manila to the island, which is the fastest way to get there. As much as possible, try to avoid flights that arrive after dusk at the Coron Airport (Busuanga) in the Philippines. Travelers can check prices and make reservations for Air Swift flights from El Nido to Coron right here.
Coron's airport to Coron's city center:
All of the local taxi drivers are familiar with flight arrival times and will be ready to pick up passengers and drive them to Coron Town when they arrive by plane.
MANILA - CORON FERRY
Coron is accessible by ferry from Manila and Puerto Princesa. In addition to the twice-weekly ferry service between Manila and Coron, which takes 15 hours, there are also 15-hour trips between Puerto Princesa and Coron.
Once in El Nido, you can take the same boat back to Manila or Puerta Princesa. There are so many things to do in El Nido that we highly recommend making it a part of your Philippines travel itinerary.
An expedition cruise to the Philippines is the way to go if you're looking for a wild and crazy good time. You'll need to be open to beach camping, but the islands and beaches you'll see are rarely visited by anyone else.
El Nido Paradise has six different expedition cruises, and we recommend booking one of them.. All meals, water, rum, and coke, as well as snorkeling gear, tents, and bedding, are provided as part of the cruise price. On the dates and length of the expedition, prices can differ.
Spectacular view from Kayangan Lake in Coron Island Philippines
Itinerary for a trip to Coron, Palawan
You could spend weeks scuba diving in Coron if you have the patience and desire to do so. The sunken Japanese warships in 20-35 meters of water are the most popular sites for most visitors to Coron.
If you're staying in Coron Town, the dive sites are about an hour's boat ride away, and it's typical to dive two tanks per day. 3000P for 2 tanks and 3500P for 3 tanks are typical prices in town.
Do you need more than a few days in Corona?
It all depends on whether or not you're scuba diving, and how much time you spend diving in Palawan. We would plan a minimum of three additional days in addition to our diving days to visit the other nearby islands.
DAY TRIPS TO CORON
Take a boat ride out of town during the day and visit some of the best spots in Palawan nearby. There are a few pre-scheduled tours that include lunch, and the prices range from 650P to 1200P.
Tours usually end around 4 p.m., leaving you to fend for yourself until then. Those who have a discerning palate beware: We couldn't find anything that would satisfy Hannah's. The tips section has a few of the better ones.
IN CORON PALAWAN, WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES TO STAY?
Coron Town, on the island of Busuanga, is the most convenient location from which to explore the rest of the island. Although there isn't a lot to see or do in the actual town, There are plenty of restaurants, tour operators, and even a little bit of nightlife in the town, but the beaches on the main island require a car ride.
Most of Coron's attractions are within easy reach by boat. Some of the most beautiful islands I've ever seen surround Busuanga, and the diving here is out of this world. We'd like to suggest the following properties:
This is where we stayed, and you can check rates on Booking.com or read TripAdvisor reviews.
Booking.com's Best Price Guarantee and TripAdvisor Reviews make The Funny Lion the best hotel in Coron, Philippines, according to TripAdvisor.
You can get the best price on Booking.com or read TripAdvisor reviews at the Two Seasons Coron Island Resort and Spa.
As an alternative, a boat can take you to a different island, but you'll need to bring all of your own supplies, and you'll need to be able to stay put for long periods of time if you do this.
Corto del Mar Hotel is a highly recommended Coron lodging option.
Insurance is a must-have. Always keep a supply on hand. As a recommendation, we recommend purchasing travel insurance through World Nomads. When it comes to the various types of coverage available, this includes medical and other types of insurance.
Coron Palawan Attractions
CHECK OUT KAYANGAN LAKE!
This gem and the island it resides on are two of the most beautiful places on the planet, known as one of Asia's clearest lakes. In the Philippines, Kayangan Lake and the nearby viewpoint are among the country's most popular tourist destinations.
It's the bay on the other side of Coron Island, not the lake, that most people see when they think of the area. During our visit to Coron in 2019, there were no bamboo rafts on the lake due to conservation measures.
There will be a lot of people around this lake if you visit in the late morning or early afternoon. A trip that departs early in the morning or late in the afternoon would be preferable. Many of the standard tours follow the same route, resulting in a large number of visitors to the site in the late morning hours..
It's best to visit Kayangan Lake's famous viewpoint just before noon, when the bay is completely shadowless. For the most enjoyable experience, it is best to arrive early in the morning so that you can see both the lake and the viewpoint.
The beach at Malcapuya is a must-see
Malcapuya Beach is just a short boat ride from Coron City. This picture-perfect swath of sand is all yours if you stay at one of the few nearby hotels. This is some of the most stunning scenery we've ever seen. ' White sands and crystal-clear waters.
CORON SHIPWRECK DIVING
The fleet of Japanese warships at the bottom of the sea in Coron is one of the main attractions for visitors. Astonishingly, 12 World War II shipwrecks are accessible for scuba diving here. My Advanced Open Water certification with Corto Divers required me to dive four of the wrecks.
GO TO CORON ISLAND
The best things to do and see in Coron can be found on Coron Island, not the island with the town of Coron on it. " Take a boat ride and you'll find the best stuff! Coron, Palawan, is a great place for day trips.
SUBSCRIBE TO A DIVE CERTIFICATION CLASS OR ADVANCED CERTIFICATION CLASS
Dive sites in Coron are some of the most unusual in the world, making it an excellent place to learn to scuba dive. Shipwrecks are an excellent location to complete an advanced open water certificate.
In contrast to other places where you may just go through the skills, there is a lot to see on the required dives. During your deep-dive training in Coron Philippines, you'll be able to swim around shipwrecks that are more than 35 meters deep at some points.
You can also use the shipwreck to complete your wreck dive training for the other specialty dives. Also, Coron is a great place to go night diving and see bioluminescent plankton that glow in the dark.
ENTER THE TWIN LAGOONS BY WATERFALL
The stunning Twin Lagoon is one of Coron's most memorable sights. Take a day trip to see these crystal-clear ponds of water, which are a rainbow of blue. The twin lagoons, which are on the outskirts of Coron Island, are a must-see.
Hot Springs at MAQUINIT
After a long day of diving and exploring the stunning Coron archipelago, unwind at the Maquinit Springs. Just over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the water in the springs is warm and inviting. You can either hire a local guide or a driver to take you there because it's located outside of town. After a long day of exploring Coron, the Philippines, take in the sunset from this scenic vantage point.
PADI DIVE OR SNORKEL IN BARRACUDA LAKE.
Barracuda Lake, located directly across the street from Kayangan Lake, is another crystal-clear lake. Barracuda Lake is a peaceful alternative to Kayangan Lake, which is a popular tourist destination. There are also interesting features like thermoclines and underwater mountains to be found in this lake. Even though Kayangan Lake's water is just as clear as this one, it's less popular.
Barracuda Lake is the clearest lake in Asia, according to the majority of people. There are numerous reasons why this lake is a popular diving destination in Coron.
GUNBOAT SNORKEL, THE LUSONG:
You can snorkel in one shipwreck because it's so shallow. Underwater, you can just make out the Lusong Gunboat. Corals are now growing on it after it has been in the environment for more than 70 years. It's a lot of fun to do laps around it in the water.
Mt. Tapyas, Coron, Philippines - One of the best things to do in Coron
PUT IN SOME TIME ON THE MOUNTAINS.
Climbing Mt. Tapyas is a great adventure option if you don't want to take a boat. It's worth the effort to get to the top, even if you don't consider it a mountain. Coron Island and the town of Coron can be seen in the distance from this location.
Coon Palawan's best eateries
There weren't many options, particularly in the western cuisine department. There aren't many options if you don't like Filipino food. The Corto Del Mar hotel had the most Western options, including pizza, pasta, and burgers, as well as Filipino dishes. Not a bad meal here at all.
A second Altrove Pizza has opened up in Coron, run by the same proprietor as the original in El Nido. It's just as good. It's possible to stand in line for a while, but it moves quickly. Generally, it's worth the time.
For sisig lovers, I highly recommend the Lolo Nonoy's cooking station, where the garlic rice is also excellent, and where a pint of beer will set you back just 40 pesos.
Good thin crust pizza and cheap happy hour beer at 35P from 5-8 pm at the Corto del Mar Hotel. An inexpensive Sunday dinner of pizza and beer costs just 200P.
Dive with Corto Divers if you're visiting Coron. Divers rave about the well-equipped boats and the knowledgeable crew, who genuinely care about whether or not you're having a good time underwater. When diving, lunch is included and it is among the best Filipino cuisine I've ever tasted.
Divers will not be dissatisfied with their purchase here, based on my experience with other shops.
If you're going to be diving, make sure you have a current tetanus shot. It's a blast to explore the ships, but there are a lot of narrow passages and rusted metal to contend with. A lot of people we saw in town looked like they had a run-in with ship metal, so if you're planning to dive, make sure you have your camera ready.
Coron Palawan Airport stops service at dusk because they have no runway lights, so you run the risk of your flight being canceled if you take the last one out of Busuanga.
CORON PALAWAN Frequently Asked Questions:
Where can I find a cash machine on the island of Coron? We saw at least three machines. Fees for each transaction totaled 200P.
Is 24-hour electricity available? Yes, the power grid has greatly improved over the past few years, and brownouts or power outages have decreased in frequency.
El Nido vs. Coron
Both Coron and El Nido should definitely be on your list of places to visit if you're debating between the two. Cut something else out of your schedule if you can't make it to both because you need to see both of these places.
Not only should you visit El Nido, but you should also make sure to visit Coron, Palawan.
