Coron Palawan Travel Guide: Island Hopping, Diving & What to Expect
Coron doesn’t try to be El Nido, and that’s exactly what makes it special.
While El Nido leads with postcard beaches and dramatic cliffside lagoons, Coron goes deeper, literally. This is a destination where World War II Japanese shipwrecks have become artificial reefs teeming with marine life, where volcanic crater lakes hold water so clear it looks digitally enhanced, and where you can spend an entire week here and feel like you’ve barely scratched the surface.
If you’re researching whether Coron deserves a spot on your Palawan itinerary, it does. Here’s everything you need to know.
Where Is Coron?
Coron is located in the Calamian Islands in the northernmost part of Palawan province. The main town, Coron (also spelled Koron in some old maps), sits on Busuanga Island, confusingly, the island most people refer to as “Coron” is actually called Coron Island and sits just across the bay from Busuanga. The airport (Francisco B. Reyes Airport) is on Busuanga Island, about 20–25 minutes by tricycle or van from town.
Coron is roughly 170 km north of El Nido, and you can’t drive between the two, you’ll need to fly (30–45 minutes) or take an available ferry.
Getting to Coron
By air: AirSWIFT operates direct flights from Manila to Coron (about 1 hour). Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines also fly Manila-Coron on some days. Flights from El Nido (AirSWIFT) take around 35 minutes. Book early, Coron flights sell out, especially peak season.
By ferry: 2GO Travel operates overnight ferries from Manila to Coron (approximately 12–14 hours). This is a good option if you want to save on flight costs or enjoy a sea journey. Book at least a week ahead.
From El Nido: The fastest option is to fly. An occasional passenger boat runs between the two destinations, but schedules are irregular and the journey can take 6–8 hours depending on sea conditions.
What to Do in Coron: The Main Highlights
Kayangan Lake
This is the one you’ve seen in every Palawan photo compilation. Kayangan Lake sits inside Coron Island, accessible via a short but steep climb over a ridge from the landing beach. The view from the top of that ridge, a curved lagoon with incredible water clarity below you, jagged karst cliffs all around, is genuinely one of the most spectacular single viewpoints in the Philippines.
The lake itself is a mix of fresh and saltwater (a halocline layer), which gives it extraordinary visibility, you can see clearly to 15+ meters on a calm day. Swimming here feels surreal.
Go early. Really early. The 8am slot is dramatically less crowded than the 10am one. When we arrived at 7:30am, we practically had the overlook to ourselves, by 9:30 there were five other tour groups queuing at the ridge.
Twin Lagoon
Two lagoons connected by a subterranean passage through the cliff, at low tide, you can swim through a low gap in the rock to cross between them. The outer lagoon is calm and beautiful; the inner lagoon is warmer (due to geothermal activity below) and even more sheltered. The contrast in water temperature as you pass through the passage is genuinely strange and delightful.
Barracuda Lake
A thermocline lake inside Coron Island where the water temperature changes dramatically at around 15 meters depth, from comfortable surface temperature to noticeably warmer below. Divers love it for the unusual visual distortion caused by the mixing temperatures. Snorkelers can experience the surface level, which is still impressively clear.
CYC Beach (Coron Youth Club Beach)
A long, curving white sand beach with calm, shallow water, the kind of beach that’s made for floating on your back and doing nothing for two hours. It’s usually a lunch stop on island hopping tours, and the water here is ideal for swimming.
Skeleton Wreck (Coral Garden)
One of Coron’s more accessible wrecks for snorkelers, you can actually see the top of the mast from the surface. The coral growth over the ship structure is dense and colorful, and fish life is abundant. If you’re not a certified diver, this is your chance to experience something of Coron’s famous wreck atmosphere without going underwater.
Wreck Diving in Coron
This is Coron’s biggest drawcard for serious divers. In September 1944, US aircraft sank a fleet of Japanese ships in Coron Bay, and those wrecks, now resting at depths of 10 to 40 meters and covered in decades of coral growth, are among the most celebrated wreck dives in the world.
The main wrecks include:
- Okikawa Maru, largest wreck, partially above water, 10–25m depth
- Akitsushima, the most impressive, a seaplane tender at 25–40m depth
- Olympia Maru, excellent for beginners, good coral coverage at 15–25m
- Irako, arguably the most intact and beautiful wreck in the area
A single dive costs roughly ₱1,200–₱1,800 per dive including equipment rental. PADI Open Water certification is required for the deeper wrecks. For beginners or those without certification, discover scuba sessions and snorkeling options at shallower sites are available.
Coron Island Hopping Tours
Like El Nido, Coron’s island hopping is organized into routes, though they’re not as formally lettered as El Nido’s A/B/C/D system. Most tour operators offer:
- Island Hopping Tour 1: Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake, CYC Beach
- Island Hopping Tour 2: Siete Pecados, Coral Garden (Skeleton Wreck), Pass Island, Smith Beach
- Island Hopping Tour 3: Bulog Dos Island, Malcapuya Island, Banana Island, the beaches-focused tour
The average island hopping tour costs ₱1,200–₱1,500 per person, typically including lunch. Our Coron island hopping packages include the top highlights with transfers and accommodation.
Coron Town: Practical Information
The main town is small, walkable, and increasingly tourist-friendly without losing its local character. The market area has good food options, try the kare-kare and fresh seafood at the market stalls.
Mount Tapyas: 700+ steps up to a giant cross with panoramic views of the town, bay, and surrounding islands. Worth it for the sunset, even if your legs disagree.
Maquinit Hot Springs: Natural hot springs (around 40°C) just outside town, a lovely way to end an island hopping day. Entry is around ₱200 per person.
Getting around town: Tricycles are the main local transport. Short trips within town cost ₱10–₱15. Airport transfers to town run about ₱250 by tricycle or ₱800+ by private vehicle.
Best Time to Visit Coron
November to May for dry season, calm seas, and good diving visibility. Peak months are December to March. April gets busy with domestic tourists during summer break.
June to September, the wet season brings heavy rain, rough seas, and frequent tour cancellations. Most visitors avoid this period for good reason.
How Much Does Coron Cost?
Coron is slightly less expensive than El Nido overall:
- Budget guesthouse: ₱800–₱1,500/night (fan room)
- Mid-range hotel: ₱2,000–₱3,500/night (air conditioning, some amenities)
- Meals: ₱200–₱400 for a proper local meal, ₱150–₱200 for something simple
- Island hopping tour: ₱1,200–₱1,500/person/day
- Dive: ₱1,200–₱1,800 per dive with equipment
Our 4-day Coron package starts at ₱6,100 per person and includes accommodation, daily breakfast, island hopping, and all transfers, solid value for what you get.
FAQ: Coron Palawan
Q: Is Coron or El Nido better?
Different experiences for different travelers. El Nido wins for dramatic lagoon scenery and variety of island hopping. Coron wins for wreck diving, crater lakes, and a quieter, more local atmosphere. If you can, do both.
Q: Do I need to dive to enjoy Coron?
No, Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake, and the island hopping beaches are all fantastic for non-divers. Snorkeling at Coral Garden gives non-divers a taste of the wreck experience too.
Q: How many days do I need in Coron?
Three nights / four days is a solid Coron trip. You get two full days of island hopping or diving, with travel days on either end. Adding a fifth day is worth it if you want to do both island hopping and proper wreck diving.
Q: Is Coron safe for first-time divers?
Yes, several dive sites are suitable for beginners, and local dive shops offer PADI courses and discover scuba sessions. The wreck at Olympia Maru is popular for less experienced divers.
Q: Is there a dress code for Kayangan Lake?
You’ll need to remove shoes before the climb and wear appropriate swimwear at the lake. No revealing swimwear or swim shorts only, bring something to cover up on the boat.
Q: Can I visit Coron and El Nido on the same trip?
Yes, the most common route is to fly between the two. AirSWIFT operates El Nido–Coron flights. Book well in advance as seats sell out quickly during peak season.
Book Your Coron Adventure with CMT
CMT offers complete Coron tour packages with accommodation, island hopping, transfers, and daily breakfast, all arranged so you arrive, drop your bags, and head straight for the water.