Coron and the Calamian Islands
Coron, in the Calamian Islands of northern Palawan, is famed for sheer limestone cliffs, mirror‑clear lagoons, jade lakes with otherworldly thermoclines, and World War II shipwrecks draped in coral. Days here flow from island‑hopping and snorkel drifts to sunset hikes and hot‑spring soaks, with calm bays and powder‑soft sandbars in between. Expect aquamarine coves, towering karst, and some of the Philippines’ most photogenic water.
Top Attractions
Kayangan Lake:
Crystal‑clear, cliff‑ringed lake and the iconic view deck over a cobalt cove.
Twin Lagoon
Swim or kayak through a rock arch between two turquoise basins with warm‑cool layers.
Barracuda Lake
Deep, surreal lake known for dramatic temperature shifts—great for scuba and freediving.
Cultural Experiences
Join community‑run boat tours that follow Tagbanua ancestral-domain guidelines on Coron Island, browse the town market for dried fish, cashews, and fresh catch while chatting with boatmen and vendors, visit small cashew processors and handicraft stalls for local pasalubong, and time evenings for simple bayfront promenades where travelers and locals trade island tips over barbecue smoke and sea breeze.
Adventure Activities
Island‑hop to Kayangan, Twin Lagoon, and Malcapuya on bangka day tours; snorkel Siete Pecados and Coral Garden, then graduate to wreck dives from beginner‑friendly shallows to advanced penetrations; freedive the warm haloclines of Barracuda Lake; hike Mt. Tapyas for a golden‑hour skyline; kayak glassy coves and mangroves on calm mornings; rent a motorbike for a Busuanga loop to Concepcion, Black Island, and countryside bridges; and soak sore muscles at Maquinit under a starry sky.
Culinary Delights
Feast on ultra‑fresh seafood—grilled tuna belly, squid, prawns, and lobster in season—refresh with zesty kinilaw and lato sea grapes, try Palawan‑style danggit lamayo (semi‑dried, marinated fish) with garlic rice, snack on local cashews and cashew brittle for pasalubong, and cool down with buko straight from the shell, calamansi juice, or mango shakes after a sun‑splashed day on the water.
How to Get There
Fly to Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU) on Busuanga Island, then take a shared or private van to Coron town, usually 25 to 45 minutes (Coron airport guide). Note that Coron town sits on Busuanga; Coron Island itself, with Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake, is a separate island reached by boat.
Fastcraft ferries also connect Coron with El Nido when the sea allows (ferry guide), so many travelers combine both. Plan the El Nido side with our El Nido guide and El Nido island-hopping post.
- Getting around: tricycles in town, vans or a motorbike for Busuanga’s beaches and Maquinit Hot Spring, and bangka tours for the islands.
Best Time and What to Expect
Best time to visit
As with El Nido, the drier months from about December to May give the calmest seas and the best visibility. From about June to October the southwest monsoon can cancel boat trips and ferries, though Coron’s sheltered lagoons often stay calmer than open water (Palawan month-by-month guide).
What to expect
Coron Island and its waters are the ancestral domain of the Tagbanua, who hold a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title and manage visits to Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake, including visitor rules and entrance fees (ADB project report). Kayangan involves a steep climb up steps from the cove. Below the surface, Coron Bay holds Japanese ships sunk in a US Navy air raid on 24 September 1944 (history of the raid); a few, like the Skeleton Wreck, are shallow enough for snorkelers. See our Wreck Diving page and Twin Lagoon and Banol Beach post.
Responsible Travel Tips
- Follow Tagbanua rules on Coron Island. Some lakes and areas are sacred and closed to visitors, and fees go to the community’s management of the island.
- Keep your voice down and stay on the marked paths and boardwalks at the lakes.
- Never touch coral or wrecks, and never take anything from a wreck site.
- Dive wrecks only with certified dive centers, and only enter wrecks if you are trained for penetration dives.
- Wear a rash guard instead of heavy sunscreen in the lakes and lagoons.
- Take your rubbish back to town; islands and lakes have no bins to spare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coron town on Coron Island?
No. Coron town is on Busuanga Island; Coron Island is a short boat ride away and is visited on day tours.
Can non-divers see the WWII wrecks?
Yes, a few shallow wrecks such as the Skeleton Wreck can be seen while snorkeling. The deeper wrecks need certified divers.
How do I visit Kayangan Lake?
It is included on most Coron Island boat tours. Expect a climb up steep steps and community entrance fees.
How many days do I need in Coron?
Three days covers a Coron Island tour, a beach-and-reef tour and a land day for Mt. Tapyas and Maquinit, plus a buffer for weather.
Read next: Coron’s Twin Lagoon and Banol Beach, El Nido Island-Hopping and Island Hopping in Palawan.
