Coron Palawan, one of the Philippines’ most beautiful islands, is home to substantial limestone peaks and multicolored lagoons. It also offers excellent snorkeling and scuba diving.
Like other islands in the Philippines, Coron Island is a budget-friendly destination. You can enjoy beautiful white sand beaches and some of the best coral reefs in Southeast Asia.
Coron, though not as well-known as its cousin El Nido is more affordable, less crowded, and offers a similar island hopping experience.
This Coron travel guide provides information on how to get there, what to do, where you can stay, and how to experience this jewel of the Philippines for yourself!
Where is Coron Island located?
Coron, a small Philippine island, is located 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of Palawan.
Dozens of islands surround Coron Bay, many with white-sand beaches. Many have sunken World War II ships. It’s a paradise for tropical island hopping and scuba diving!
How to Get to Coron Palawan
Coron is accessible by ferry or flight.
Skyscanner allows you to search for flights to the Philippines. Skyscanner allows you to search for flights from the Philippines.
You can take the ferry between El Nido and Coron for only 1,800 Pesos and a few minutes.
You can also participate in a four-day Palawan sailing excursion and visit some fantastic, secluded islands. (I will explain this later).
How to Use
Coron is a small town with a population of only 3,000.
You can walk to most restaurants and other attractions but need transportation to explore outside the town.
Scooter rental costs about 500 pesos (USD 10) a day. Tricycle taxis are available for 100-200 Pesos per trip. However, the scooter is more cost-effective for longer trips or stops.
Coron Island Hop
Coron is a popular diving destination. However, the island-hopping boat tours are what attract most visitors. These are to be noticed!
* Coron Ultimate Island Tour
This tour is the most popular on Coron Island and combines the best of the island’s highlights for an all-day trip.
The trip will take you to beautiful white-sand beaches, picturesque lakes, twin lagoons, and coral gardens where you can snorkel with fish. You’ll also see at least one World War II wreck.
This is the tour you should choose if you are only going to do one in Coron. This tour is just as spectacular as the ones in El Nido Palawan.
Coron Island Escapade Tour
This tour is less well-known than others, but it’s a great choice if you want to relax on the beach.
* Coron Multi-Day Trips
You can join multi-day trips, including four days and three nights, to get you from Coron to El Nido or vice versa.
It’s a fun way to meet other travelers and go island-hopping without the crowds or time constraints that come with a day tour. You also visit some friendly islands off the beaten track, which are not included in the main day tours. This is a great way to meet fellow travelers.
Big Dream Boat Man is one of several companies that offer multi-day trips to Palawan. The company is based in Coron and also offers sailing excursions that take you to El Nido. They stop at some incredible places along the route!
What to bring
Most of these items can be purchased in Coron, but their quality is not guaranteed. (I would use something other than a cheap knockoff bag bought from a street vendor to protect my expensive cameras).
- Bags: They are essential for protecting your electronics on boat tours. I packed a 30-liter backpack for my phone, tablet, drone, and camera. The bag stayed dry even after I swam in it a few times to reach hidden beaches.
- Phone Pouch with Waterproof: The same as above but for only your phone. This is an excellent option if a small pouch is all you need to protect your phone from the elements.
- Snorkeling Equipment: You will want to take advantage of many islands with beautiful corals and fish. You can rent snorkels and masks on the boat, but bringing your gear is more cost-effective if you plan to take multiple tours.
- Wear water shoes to save your feet from a lot more pain! We had so many injuries while walking from the boat to the shore.