Coron is the other half of the classic Palawan circuit. While El Nido delivers limestone lagoons and island-hopping, Coron offers something entirely different: one of the world’s most accessible wreck diving destinations, the impossibly clear Kayangan Lake, and the unique Twin Lagoon experience. This guide covers everything you need to plan your Coron visit as part of the full Palawan trip.
Table of Contents
Coron at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Busuanga Island, northern Palawan, Philippines |
| Main hub | Coron Town (on Busuanga Island, not Coron Island) |
| Nearest airport | Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU), Busuanga — 45 min flight from Manila |
| Best for | WWII shipwreck diving, Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, island hopping |
| Best season | November-May (dry season) |
| From El Nido | Passage boat (3 days) or direct ferry (8-10 hours) |
| From Manila | Fly to Busuanga (~1 hr, Cebu Pacific / AirSWIFT) |
| Daily budget | 1,500-2,500 PHP (budget) / 4,000-8,000 PHP (mid-range) |
Top Things to Do in Coron
1. Kayangan Lake
Kayangan Lake is consistently ranked among the clearest lakes in Asia and is Coron’s single most-photographed attraction. The lake sits within Coron Island (a separate, protected island from Coron Town) — accessible only by boat tour. A staircase of 87 steps leads from the landing area to a viewpoint with one of the Philippines’ most iconic panoramas: turquoise water framed by jagged limestone cliffs.
- Water visibility regularly exceeds 15 m; the lake floor is visible from the surface in calm conditions
- Swimming is permitted; snorkelling reveals submerged limestone formations and fish
- Environmental fee: 300 PHP per person for Coron Island (separate from El Nido’s 200 PHP fee)
- Crowds: Kayangan is Coron’s most visited stop — arrive early (9 AM departure) to avoid the midday peak
2. WWII Japanese Shipwrecks
On 24 September 1944, a US Navy air raid sank 12 Japanese Imperial Navy vessels in Coron Bay in a single operation. These wrecks now rest at depths of 3-40 m and form one of the world’s most accessible wreck diving destinations. The combination of warm, clear water and relatively shallow wrecks makes them diveable by Open Water certified divers.
- Okikawa Maru: The largest wreck at 170 m, lying 10-28 m depth; superstructure accessible for recreational divers
- Irako: 150 m refrigeration ship; excellent condition, abundant marine life inside the hull
- Lusong Gunboat: Shallowest wreck at 3-12 m — snorkellers can see it without scuba gear
- Skeleton Wreck: 6-10 m, extremely popular snorkel site with visible hull structure
- 2-dive package pricing: 3,000-5,000 PHP including guide, equipment, environmental fee
- Discover Scuba: 4,500-6,500 PHP for non-certified divers on a guided shallow wreck intro dive
3. Twin Lagoon
Twin Lagoon consists of two connected lagoons on Coron Island separated by a low limestone wall. At low tide, swimmers pass through a narrow gap in the rock to move between the outer lagoon (cooler, connected to the sea) and the inner lagoon (warmer, brackish water mixing with a freshwater spring). The temperature difference between the two bodies of water is palpable within metres.
- Access requires swimming or kayaking through the passage between lagoons (can be tight at high tide)
- Best visited at low tide for the easiest passage; ask your operator to check tides before booking
- The inner lagoon’s warm, glass-clear water makes for exceptional snorkelling and photography
4. Coron Island Tour (Tour A)
The standard Coron Tour A covers Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake (thermocline snorkelling), Coral Garden (reef snorkelling), and a beach stop on Coron Island. It is the equivalent of El Nido Tour A — the essential first day. Price: 1,500-1,800 PHP shared + 300 PHP Coron Island environmental fee.
5. Maquinit Hot Spring
A natural saltwater hot spring at 40°C, 45 minutes from Coron Town by tricycle. The pool is set in a mangrove environment and is an excellent end-of-day activity after diving or island hopping. Cost: 200 PHP entrance. Best visited at dusk or after dark when the contrast between hot water and cooling air is most enjoyable.
6. Kayaking the Mangroves
Rental kayaks (200-350 PHP/hour) are available near the Coron Town pier. The mangrove channels around Busuanga Bay provide a peaceful contrast to the busy wreck and lake tours. Morning paddling before the wind builds is particularly serene.
Where to Stay in Coron
| Type | Area | Price Range (2026) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget guesthouse | Coron Town | 700-1,500 PHP/night | Backpackers, budget travellers |
| Mid-range hotel | Coron Town | 2,000-4,500 PHP/night | Most travellers, easy pier access |
| Boutique resort | Coron Bay area | 4,500-9,000 PHP/night | Couples, divers wanting comfort |
| Luxury resort | Busuanga Island outskirts | 8,000-20,000+ PHP/night | Luxury travellers, dive enthusiasts |
Most visitors stay in Coron Town — it is walking distance from the pier where all tours depart and has the highest concentration of restaurants, dive shops, and convenience stores. The pier area around Don Pedro Street is the most practical base for a 2-3 night stay.
Coron vs El Nido for accommodation quality: Coron’s accommodation is generally simpler and cheaper than El Nido at equivalent price points. The mid-range options in Coron Town are functional rather than boutique. For a luxury resort experience in the Coron area, properties on the outer Busuanga Island coastline (such as Two Seasons Coron Island Resort) offer significantly higher quality.
How to Get to Coron
From Manila
- Fly to Busuanga (USU): Cebu Pacific and AirSWIFT offer daily flights from Manila (approximately 1 hour). Fares range from 1,500-4,500 PHP one-way. Francisco B. Reyes Airport (Busuanga) is 45 minutes from Coron Town by van (100-150 PHP shared, 800-1,200 PHP private)
- 2GO Ferry from Manila: Weekly passenger ferry from Manila North Harbour, approximately 12-16 hours. Budget option (800-2,000 PHP) but a very long journey
From El Nido
- Passage boat (3 days): The iconic Palawan circuit option — island hopping through the pristine Linapacan archipelago over 3 days and 2 nights. Price: 5,500-9,500 PHP all-inclusive. Book 5-7 days ahead in peak season
- Direct passenger ferry (Montenegro Lines / Atienza): 8-10 hours, departs ~6-8 AM, 1,700-2,500 PHP. Available daily in dry season
- Fast craft (seasonal): 5-6 hours in dry season, 3,500-5,500 PHP
Full details on the El Nido to Coron route: El Nido to Coron Ferry Guide.
Coron vs El Nido: Which Should You Visit?
| Category | El Nido | Coron |
|---|---|---|
| Scenery | Limestone lagoons, hidden beaches | Lakes, wrecks, karst formations |
| Island hopping | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best in Philippines | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent but different |
| Wreck diving | ⭐⭐ (reef diving focus) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ World-class |
| Reef diving | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (marine sanctuary) | ⭐⭐⭐ Good but secondary |
| Fresh water lakes | None | Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake |
| Accessibility | Harder (van from PPS or AirSWIFT) | Easier (direct Cebu Pacific from Manila) |
| Accommodation | More variety, better quality | Simpler, cheaper |
| Verdict | Island hopping + reef diving | Wreck diving + lakes + budget |
The answer for most travellers: Do both. The El Nido to Coron passage boat is one of the most memorable journeys in Southeast Asia, and the two destinations are genuinely complementary rather than substitutes. If you can only choose one: El Nido for the island-hopping experience; Coron for divers who want wrecks and a more local, less polished atmosphere.
Suggested Coron Itinerary (2-3 Nights)
- Day 1 (arrival): Arrive from El Nido ferry or Busuanga flight. Afternoon rest; evening at Coron Town market and local restaurants. Book tours for the next 2 days
- Day 2: Coron Island Tour A (Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake, Coral Garden). 300 PHP Coron Island environmental fee at tourism office before departure. Evening: Maquinit Hot Spring
- Day 3: WWII Shipwreck dive/snorkel tour (Okikawa Maru, Irako, Lusong Gunboat, Skeleton Wreck). Afternoon: kayak the mangroves or rest before evening departure
- Day 4 (departure): Morning at the public market for breakfast; tricycle to Busuanga Airport for Manila flight
Practical Tips for Coron
- ATM situation: Coron Town has BDO and Metrobank ATMs but they run out on weekends. Withdraw cash from Manila or Busuanga Airport on arrival
- Coron Island environmental fee (300 PHP): Different from the El Nido 200 PHP fee; pay at the Coron tourism office before any tour visiting Coron Island
- Book tours 1-2 days ahead in peak season — Kayangan Lake is extremely popular in December-February
- Transport from Busuanga Airport: Share a van (100-150 PHP) or take a private transfer (800-1,200 PHP) to Coron Town; the 45-minute drive is scenic through Busuanga Island farmland
- No-fly time after diving: Ensure 18-24 hours between your last dive and your Busuanga-Manila flight
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Coron?
Minimum 2 nights (arriving Day 1, tours Day 2, departure Day 3). Ideally 3 nights to do Coron Island Tour A on Day 2 and wreck diving on Day 3 without rushing. Serious divers may want 4-5 nights to cover the full range of wreck sites.
Is Coron or El Nido better for diving?
They offer different diving: El Nido is best for reef diving (coral gardens, sea turtles, marine sanctuary) while Coron is unequivocally better for wreck diving (12 WWII wrecks, some of the world’s most accessible). For the complete Palawan diving experience, visit both.
Can you visit Coron without diving?
Absolutely. Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, and the island-hopping tours are all excellent non-diving activities. The Lusong Gunboat and Skeleton Wreck are visible from the surface via snorkelling. Non-divers can enjoy Coron fully; it is not exclusively a diving destination.
Plan the Full Palawan Circuit
Coron is the final leg of the classic Palawan trip. For the complete route: 10-day Palawan itinerary · El Nido to Coron ferry guide · El Nido island hopping tours
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