Coron: What to See, How to Get There and How to Plan Island Hopping

If there’s one place in the Philippines that most travellers associate with turquoise water, limestone cliffs and stunning lagoons, it’s Coron. It lies in the north of Palawan province and is one of the most popular stops when exploring the Philippine islands.

Interestingly, the town of Coron itself is more of a base for trips to the surrounding area than the main attraction. Most visitors spend their days at sea, discovering hidden coves, small islands, coral reefs and snorkelling spots. Beneath the surface there are also wrecks of Japanese ships from the Second World War, which make the area popular with divers too.

Once you’re back from your trips, though, it’s worth spending some time in the town itself. It’s quieter during the day, as most tourists are out on the boats, but in the evening the streets fill with people, restaurants and bars open and the town takes on a completely different pace.

How to get to Coron

When planning your journey, you can choose between flying, taking a ferry or joining a multi-day expedition through the surrounding islands. The best option depends mainly on where you’re coming from and how much time you have.

Flying to Busuanga Island

The fastest way is to fly to Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU), also known as Busuanga Airport. It’s located on Busuanga Island, about a 30 to 45 minute drive from Coron town, depending on traffic and your transfer.

Domestic flights operate to the airport from several Philippine cities, including Manila and Cebu. The availability of direct connections from other destinations may vary according to the current flight schedule, so check your specific travel date when planning.

After landing, you can continue to town by hotel transfer or local taxi. If you’ve booked accommodation, it’s worth checking in advance whether it offers airport pick-up.

By ferry from El Nido

If you’re travelling around Palawan and also plan to visit El Nido, you can travel between the two destinations by ferry. The crossing takes about four hours and a ticket costs roughly €35 to €40 per person. You can buy it on this website.

Departures from El Nido are usually around midday, while services from Coron to El Nido tend to leave early in the morning. The frequency may change depending on the season and the operator, so check the current timetable before you travel.

Multi-day expedition from El Nido

If you don’t want to simply travel between the destinations but would like to enjoy the journey itself, a multi-day expedition from El Nido to Coron is a great alternative. Over several days you visit small islands, remote beaches and places that regular visitors rarely get to. It’s an experience in its own right and can be one of the highlights of a holiday on Palawan. You can read more about the expedition in this article.

Where to stay in Coron

Your budget doesn’t have to be an obstacle when looking for accommodation. In town you’ll find simple rooms in family-run guesthouses and homestays, as well as more comfortable hotels and more luxurious resorts. When choosing, however, we wouldn’t focus only on price and room facilities. Location is at least as important.

If you don’t plan to rent a scooter, we recommend choosing accommodation in the town centre or very close to it. That way you’ll have restaurants, shops and boat trip departure points within easy reach without constantly having to arrange transport.

Bear in mind, though, that the centre isn’t exactly the quietest part of the destination. Traffic is fairly heavy and it can be noisy in the evening too. If you prefer peace and quiet, read the reviews carefully when booking and check that the rooms aren’t right next to the main road.

We stayed at Tag Resort. It was about 10 minutes by scooter from the town centre, so we were still close to everything while staying somewhere quiet.

Island hopping in Coron: which tour to choose?

If you had to pick just one main activity during your stay in Coron, it should definitely be a boat trip around the surrounding islands. Island hopping is where you’ll see the scenery this part of the Philippines is so famous for.

During the day you move between lagoons, beaches and snorkelling spots. Depending on the itinerary you choose, you can see corals and tropical fish, swim in crystal-clear water or explore historic shipwrecks. The individual tours differ in route, number of stops, time spent at each place and overall price.

Group tour or private boat?

Before choosing a specific route, decide whether you want to travel in a group or rent your own boat. Both options have their advantages and it depends mainly on your budget and the kind of experience you’re looking for.

Group tours are more affordable. As a rough guide, expect to pay 1,200 to 1,700 PHP per person (around €17 to €25), with the exact price depending on the programme and organiser. Their downside is a fixed itinerary and less flexibility at the individual stops.

With a private boat you can tailor the programme to your own preferences. In our experience the price was around €120 per boat, so if you’re travelling as a larger group, it can be an interesting option financially too.

A private boat is what we chose as well. What we liked most was that we didn’t have to follow a fixed order of stops and could plan the day our own way. This gave us more control over the time spent at each place and allowed us to avoid the biggest crowds.

In our case the price included lunch, drinks and a guide who accompanied us throughout the trip. What’s included varies by organiser, though, so always check before booking.

Which group tours are available in Coron?

Organisers offer several routes. Their names and specific stops may vary, but these are the options you’ll come across most often.

Tour A

This is usually one of the more affordable options. It typically includes Kayangan Lake, Coral Garden, CYC Beach and Diwata Reef, with lunch on the beach as part of the programme. The price is around 1,200 PHP per person.

Tour B

This route often focuses on other well-known places in the area, such as Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake, Skeleton Wreck and Coral Garden. Lunch is usually included. The price is around 1,400 PHP per person.

Coron Ultimate Tour (Tour C)

If you want to combine several iconic places in a single day, this route can be a good choice. The itinerary usually features Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Skeleton Wreck, CYC Beach and Coral Garden. The price is roughly 1,700 PHP per person.

Super Ultimate Tour

This option is aimed mainly at those who want to visit as many places as possible in one day. It combines several famous lagoons, the lake, beaches and snorkelling spots. Expect a packed programme, though, with less time at each stop. It’s best suited to those who only have one full day in Coron.

Reef and Wrecks Tour

If the underwater world appeals to you more than lagoons, a tour focused on coral reefs and shipwrecks is an interesting alternative. The stops usually listed include Pass Island, Coral Garden, Lusong Gunboat and East Tangat Wreck. This tour costs around 1,700 PHP per person.

Check the names, routes and prices with the specific organiser before booking. Also ask whether entrance fees to the individual lagoons and lakes are included in the price, as they are sometimes paid separately. You can also find and book a tour via GetYourGuide.

Which tour do we recommend?

If you have three or more days in Coron and want to save money, you can plan two separate group tours with different stops. That way you’ll have more time to explore the area without trying to fit everything into a single day.

If you’re only staying two nights and want to do one group tour, choose according to the places that appeal to you most. The Coron Ultimate Tour can be a good compromise between the number of stops and the time you have at each, but always compare the specific programme with what’s currently on offer.

With a private boat you have more freedom to tailor the route to your own preferences. That’s why we wouldn’t focus only on how many places you can fit in, but also on how much time you’ll actually spend at each.

What to pack for island hopping

As you’ll spend most of the day at sea and at the individual stops, it’s worth getting everything ready the evening before the trip.

• Water: staying hydrated is very important during a whole day in the sun.
• Snorkel and fins: if you have your own gear, bring it. Arrange rental with the organiser before departure.
• Cash: it can come in handy for buying a coconut, drinks or small snacks at the stops.
• Sunscreen and a hat: on an open boat you’ll be exposed to the sun for most of the day.
• Towel: check whether the organiser provides one; bringing your own is the safest option.
• Waterproof case for your phone or action camera: if you want to take nice shots from the water, protection for your phone will definitely come in useful.
• Dry clothes to change into: after several swimming stops you’ll appreciate being able to change into something dry.

What to do in Coron besides island hopping

Although the main attractions are on the surrounding islands, the town itself and its immediate surroundings offer a few ways to add variety to your stay without another full-day boat trip.

Mount Tapyas Viewdeck

If you want to see Coron from above, head up to Mount Tapyas Viewdeck. The viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the town, the bay and the surrounding hills. Around 700 steps lead to the top, so we don’t recommend going at midday, when the heat is at its worst.

The most pleasant time to visit is early evening. Temperatures are more bearable and if you time your climb right, you can enjoy the sunset from the top. Don’t forget to bring water and allow enough time for the way up and back. Mount Tapyas is a good choice for your arrival day, for an evening after returning from a trip or for a moment when you want a break from organised activities on the water.

Where to eat in Coron

Coron’s atmosphere only really comes alive in the evening, when the tourists return from their day trips. During the day many restaurants are empty and some are even closed. From around 5:00 pm, however, the town truly comes to life and at some restaurants you’ll even have to queue for a table.

In Coron we mostly tried international restaurants and cafés. If you love Thai cuisine, you definitely have to visit Om’s Thai. You’ll pay a little more for your meal here, but the quality is really high, as the online reviews confirm. If you love Mexican food, we have a tip for you! Book a table at Salud by Get Real. You’ll enjoy authentic Mexican tacos, burritos or quesadillas and a great atmosphere too. For pizza and pasta lovers there’s the excellent Trattoria Altrove, where they make crispy pizza straight from the oven!

As always, we can’t leave out a list of great cafés, and Coron has plenty of them. If you’re looking for a breakfast or brunch spot, we recommend Leticia Cafe, a tiny local café where they make great eggs in various styles and pancakes with maple syrup. Itadhana Café and Good Grind Coffee Coron are great choices too. If you’d like a beautiful view with your coffee, head to the well-known Dayo Café.

Planning to add El Nido to your itinerary as well? Read all about island hopping in El Nido or about what to do there when you’re not on a boat.