Coron Travel Guide

Coron, Palawan Travel Guide

Coron Travel Guide

Coron is both the name of a town on Busuanga, and the name of the island just offshore. The island is famous for its wreck diving, and the site has been named in many lists of top dive spots in the world. In September 1944, a fleet of Japanese ships hiding in the harbour were sunk in a daring raid by the US navy. The result is around ten well preserved shipwrecks surrounded with coral reef.
There are also attractions on Coron Island itself. There are many beautiful bleach white sand beaches, mostly tiny and surrounded by large limestone cliffs and wildlife. Barracuda and Kayangan lakes are both stunning locations, and the island also has a mysterious indegenous tribe who are notably shy of outsiders.

How to get to Coron?

By plane
• Fly into Busuanga from Manila with PAL Express, Cebu Pacific or Zest Air.
• Aiport to town: Jeepney - Fare: P150 / person ; 12 seater A/C Vans P1500 ; shared van P150/person
By boat
• SuperFerry stops in Coron on their way to Puerto Princesa. Leave Manila on Friday afternoon (4:15pm)and arrives in Coron early Saturday morning (5:30 am). Heads back to Manila on Sunday night (10:45 pm). Wait until a couple of days before it departs to get cheaper tickets. Don’t wait too long, though.

Things You Need To Know

• Tricycles are everywhere downtown. P7-10 for rides around town.
• Motorcycles are available for rent.

Places of interest

• Mt. Tapyas hike - The Cross on top of Mt. Tapyas is the first thing that you will see when you enter the quiet town of Coron. It is more than 2,000 feet above sea level and offers a spectacular view of the Coron town and harbor, together with the mountains and hills that surround its 717 well paved concrete steps, a gift of the creative, Governor Joel T. Reyes of Palawan, who himself hails from this town..
• Island Hopping – will cost you around P1500-2000 good for 6 passengers. You will visit 7 most frequent islands in coron. Bring atleast 600-700 pesos for entrance fee in those 7 islands.

• Siete Pecados is a protected marine park. This is the best place to snorkel in Coron. You will enjoy fish feeding here so it’s best to bring bread.

• Barracuda Lake – it’s a bit difficult in going to barracuda lake, one have to climb pointed limestone formations before you reach the lake’s cove but once there it’s worth the climb. The lake is very tranquil and when you looked down it’s like a bottomless of turquoise green water. It is known for having a thermocline, where the water heats up as you decend into the lake.

• Kayangan Lake -. It has the most beautiful and picturesque view and one of the most photographed island in Coron. Also voted as the cleanest lake in the Philippines. A fresh water lake hidden behind limestone rocks amidst small mountains.

• Twin Lagoon. The water and towering rocks are great photos for poster. On low tide, experience kayaking under the hole of the rock.

• CYC Island is nice but gets very busy. It’s the only free beach in the area. Entrance fees for the other beaches aren’t too steep

• Skeleton Wreck is a snorkeling destination where you can see a sunken ship even while snorkeling. Around it are what were once beautiful corals but now are damaged by illegal fishing. Beware of sea urchins.

• Banol is very picturesque with its flower trees set against the rocky island. It has sugary fine white sand in its beachline.

• 7 Islands This is a marine reserve, guarded 24/7 by 2 locals. snorkel or dive to see the amazing coral reefs!

• Malcapuya Island. Beautiful Island with very fine white sand beach just like Boracay. You can also snorkel and take a pictures of the giant clams

• Go to the Maquinit hot spring. Better to visit this in the evening after climbing Mt. Tapyas, it is very therapeutic and relaxing it will definitely ease the pain in your body after those 700+ steps. Water’s temperature ranges from 37-40 degree celcius