Coron, Philippines: travel guide
Island paradise of turquoise lagoons, WWII shipwrecks, limestone cliffs, and exceptional diving sites.
- Country
- Philippines
- Currency
- PHP
- Time zone
- Asia/Manila
- Nearest airport
- USU
Top places to visit in Coron
Kayangan Lake Coron Crystal Water
Nature · 4.9 rating · about 4 h · entry PHP 200
Consistently rated the cleanest lake in Asia — Kayangan Lake is a stunning freshwater lake surrounded by sheer limestone cliffs accessible by a steep 10-minute trail from the sea. The emerald water clarity is extraordinary.
Coron Island Hopping Tour A
Beach · 4.7 rating · about 8 h · entry PHP 1,200
The standard Coron Island Hopping Tour A covering the essential highlights — Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Skeleton Wreck, Coral Garden, and Smith Beach. The most popular day tour in Coron.
Mount Tapyas Coron Sunset Walk
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h
A 700-step staircase up Mount Tapyas gives panoramic views over Coron Island, Busuanga Island, the surrounding sea, and dozens of limestone islands. The most accessible viewpoint in Coron and spectacular at sunset.
WW2 Japanese Wreck Diving Coron
Nature · 4.9 rating · about 5 h
The Japanese WW2 wrecks sunk by the US Navy in September 1944 lie scattered on the seabed around Coron Bay. These 12 ships are among the best wreck diving sites in the world — full of marine life, coral growth, and historical artefacts.
Barracuda Lake Coron Thermocline
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · entry PHP 200
A lake known for a dramatic thermocline — within a few metres of depth the water shifts from warm to cold in an instant, creating a remarkable diving and snorkelling sensation. The underwater limestone formations are spectacular.
Coron Town Heritage Walk Busuanga
Cultural · 4.4 rating · about 2 h
The small town of Coron on Busuanga Island has a charming waterfront, traditional Filipino wooden houses, excellent seafood restaurants, and the backdrop of dramatic limestone peaks. The most atmospheric market town in northern Palawan.
Coron Coral Garden Snorkelling
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
The Coral Garden between Coron and Busuanga islands has a beautiful shallow reef system with massive table corals, sea fans, and abundant tropical fish. One of the best snorkelling spots included on most island hop tours.
Malcapuya Beach Coron Pristine
Beach · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · entry PHP 200
One of the most pristine white sand beaches in Coron — a long arc of powder sand with crystal water and minimal development. Accessible by banca on island-hopping tours.
Coron Seafood Restaurant Waterfront
Cultural · 4.5 rating · about 2 h
The waterfront restaurants in Coron town serve the freshest Busuanga seafood — blue crab, squid, prawns, and the daily catch from the overnight fishing boats. The best seafood dining in northern Palawan.
Coron Maquinit Hotspring Soak
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · entry PHP 200
The Maquinit Hot Spring near Coron town is one of the few saltwater hot springs in the world — a pool of naturally warm mineral water at 39-40 degrees Celsius, surrounded by mangroves. Extremely relaxing after a day of diving.
Skeleton Wreck Shallow Coron
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 2 h
A shallow WW2 Japanese wreck accessible to snorkellers without diving certification — the wreck lies in just 5-10m of water and is densely covered in coral and sea fans. Reef fish are abundant.
Coron Bulog Dos Island White Beach
Beach · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry PHP 200
Bulog Dos Island has a beautiful white sand beach with a sandbar extending into the sea and excellent snorkelling around the rocky outcrops. Part of several Coron island-hopping tour packages.
Things to do
- Coron Kayangan Lake Heritage Snorkeling Tour Sightseeing · 5 h · from PHP 1,800 per person
- Coron Twin Lagoons Secret Lagoon Tour Boat Boat · 6 h · from PHP 1,800 per person
- Coron Mount Tapyas Summit Trek Panoramic Views Adventure · 2 h
- Coron Sunset Cruise Coron Bay Karst Silhouettes Boat · 2.5 h · from PHP 1,200 per person
- Coron Maquinit Hot Springs Saltwater Heritage Pool Nature · 2.5 h · from PHP 490 per person
- Coron WWII Japanese Shipwreck Diving Heritage Diving · 6 h · from PHP 3,100 per person
- Coron Coron Lake Freshwater Heritage Swim Nature · 3 h · from PHP 920 per person
- Coron Coron Palawan Island Hopping Full Day North Boat · 10 h · from PHP 2,200 per person
Where to stay in Coron
- Beach Town about PHP 3,500 per night
Island town with beach resorts and diving
Hotels
- The Funny Lion Coron 5-star · PHP 7,000 to PHP 22,000 per night
- Huma Island Resort & Spa Coron 5-star · PHP 20,000 to PHP 70,000 per night
- Coron Calamianes Luxury Villa Private 5-star · PHP 35,000 to PHP 80,000 per night
- SETIR Coron Overwater Resort 5-star · PHP 30,000 to PHP 95,000 per night
- La Natura Resort Coron 4-star · PHP 4,500 to PHP 13,000 per night
- Busuanga Bay Lodge Coron 5-star · PHP 12,000 to PHP 40,000 per night
Where to eat
- Kawayanan Grill Station Coron Filipino, Seafood, Grill · about PHP 700 per person
- Sea Horse Restaurant Coron Filipino, Seafood, Multi-cuisine · about PHP 600 per person
- Coron Diving Hub Restaurant Filipino, Seafood, Diver Community · about PHP 600 per person
- Coron Night Market Grills Filipino, Street Food, Night Market · about PHP 350 per person
- Coron Bay View Sunset Bar Bar, Filipino, Continental · about PHP 600 per person
- Kalamit Cafeteria Coron Local Filipino, Home Cooking, Budget · about PHP 250 per person
- La Sirenetta Coron Italian Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean · about PHP 800 per person
- Coron Treasure Island Restaurant Filipino, Seafood, Traditional · about PHP 600 per person
Getting around
- Boat main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Tricycle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Money exchange short-change
Major tourist zones
Cashier counts notes quickly, palms one, then re-counts and accuses you of being short.
How to avoid it: Use credit card. Count change yourself before stepping away.