Our family spent 10 days in the Philippines, and it turned out to be one of our most memorable family vacations! We all agreed that the highlight of our trip was visiting Coron Island.
The Philippines is an archipelago made up of around 7,640 islands, and Coron Island is located in the Calamian Islands archipelago in the Palawan Province. Palawan has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful regions in the Philippines, and it’s easy to see why. We were blown away by the dramatic limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and white sand beaches. The scenery looked like something straight out of the Avatar movies!
Coron Island is slightly less touristy and more affordable than its neighboring destination, El Nido, but is equally as beautiful. We chose Coron as the first stop on our Philippines vacation, and it exceeded our expectations!
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A First-Time Guide to Visiting Coron Island
Travel Tips When Flying to Coron
To reach Coron Island, you will first need to fly into Francisco B. Reyes Airport on Busuanga Island. We took a direct flight from Cebu, which took about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The view as you fly over the countless islands is beautiful, so make sure you get a window seat!
We booked our flights on Philippine Airlines, but Cebgo and Sunlight Air also offer direct flights. Most inter-island flights use smaller turboprop planes, and daily flight options are limited, so seats often sell out during peak travel season. We also noticed that prices increased the longer we waited, so it’s best to book tickets in advance.
The weather in the Philippines is unpredictable and constantly changing, so it’s common to have delayed or canceled flights. I recommend building some buffer time into your itinerary, and try to take the earliest morning flight if possible.
Keep in mind that the airlines are strict about luggage weight. Carry-on bags must be under 15lbs (yes, you read that right) and are weighed at check-in. I highly recommend adding a checked bag when purchasing your ticket online, as they charge more for a checked bag if you purchase it at the airport.
Another thing to note is that there is generally a departure and/or arrival tax when traveling between islands. Some of the bigger airports will tack it onto your ticket price, but most smaller airports collect it when you arrive or leave. It is usually only a few US dollars per person, but must be paid in cash.
We were surprised by how few places in the Philippines take credit cards, so I recommend bringing more cash than you think you’ll need. The GCash app is becoming more widely accepted as a cashless payment option, but you’ll need to connect your credit card or bank details before you arrive. We tried connecting ours when we were in the country but ran into issues with the pre-authorization process.
Traveling From Coron to Coron Island
Busuanga Island is where the town of Coron is located, which is different from Coron Island. To reach Coron Island, you’ll first need to take a taxi from the airport. Your hotel can often arrange this, but it is generally cheaper to book a ride through the Grab App, a rideshare app similar to Uber or Lyft.
The drive from the airport to the town of Coron takes approximately 30 minutes. This is the main hub on Busuanga Island, where you’ll find most of the restaurants, hotels, shops, and the marina where boats depart for Coron Island.
Amenities on Coron Island are very limited, so I recommend grabbing lunch and picking up snacks and any essentials before boarding your boat. We ate at Om’s Thai, which was decent and convenient.
From the marina in town, it’s about a 15-30 minute boat ride to reach Coron Island, depending on which part of the island you are visiting. You can book a boat tour, or if you’re staying at Paolyn Houseboats, transportation to the island is included with your stay.
The Best Places to Stay in Coron
Many visitors choose to stay in the town of Coron and take a boat tour to Coron Island. We looked at a few different hotels that were in close proximity to the marina, family-friendly, and affordable:
- Coroto del Mar Hotel
- Zenvea Hotel
- Fernvale Leisure Club & Resort
- Asia Grand View Hotel
- Coron Westown Resort
After researching and weighing our options, we decided to splurge and stay on a houseboat with Paolyn Houseboats. It was worth every penny, and it ended up being one of our all-time favorite stays.
Paolyn Houseboats are the only accommodations on Coron Island, so while most visitors take a day trip here, we were lucky enough to wake up to the most incredible views. It felt like we had the entire island to ourselves!
There are several different houseboats to choose from, accommodating anywhere from 2 to 10 guests.
We stayed in the Mega Glass Suite, which comfortably fit our family of seven.
The houseboats are equipped with modern comforts like running water, WiFi, and air conditioning. Just keep in mind that there is an additional charge for air conditioning, and you’ll need to request it when checking in.
My favorite feature on the houseboat is the glass wall that opens up to the bay. I will never get over waking up to that view and sleeping under a coal-black sky twinkling with stars.
Complimentary kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkel gear are included with your stay. It was so fun paddling around the bay and soaking in the scenery, but I wouldn’t recommend snorkeling, as box jellyfish are common in the bay.
Meals can be ordered directly through Paolyn Houseboats and are delivered right to your boat.
Food isn’t included in the nightly rate, but the prices were reasonable, and everything was freshly prepared. I loved gathering around the outdoor dining table to enjoy meals together as a family. It was such a fun memory!
The Best Things to Do and See on Coron Island
Full-Day Boat Tour
The best thing to do on Coron Island is to take an island hopping boat tour to see the main sights.
There are quite a few tour operators that offer day trips from the town of Coron to Coron Island. With so many options, it’s hard to narrow it down, but this is the tour I had my eye on. It hits all the main highlights of the island and is such a great deal for a full-day tour with lunch.
However, if you stay at Paolyn Houseboats, they offer their own private boat tours. The price was comparable to other tour companies, and we had the luxury of a private tour with just our family.
Another major perk of staying on the island is that we were able to get an early start and beat all the crowds heading over from Busuanga.
We booked the full-day private tour, which was divided into two four-hour excursions. We headed out for a 4-hour excursion in the morning, then they dropped us off at the houseboat for a lunch break and a nap.
They picked us back up for another 4-hour tour later in the afternoon after the other boats were heading back to the town of Coron.
It was honestly the best way to do it. We had the beaches mostly to ourselves, and having a chance to rest and re-energize midday made all the difference.
Our guide was so fun and accommodating, and since it was a private tour, we had some flexibility as to which spots we visited and how long we stayed.
No matter which tour you decide to book, you are going to be amazed by the beauty of Coron Island!
Twin Lagoon
Twin Lagoon is one of the most iconic spots on the island and makes for a killer drone shot!
It’s usually packed with tourists, but since it was only about a 10-minute paddle from our houseboat, we were able to visit early in the morning and again in the evening after the crowds cleared out.
What makes this spot unique is that the two lagoons are separated by a narrow rock wall with a small passage connecting them.
At low tide, you can paddle right under the passageway to reach the other lagoon. When the tide is high, there’s a ladder you can climb over to access the second lagoon.
It’s such an incredible place that gives off major Pandora vibes! I especially loved visiting first thing in the morning when the water was calm, the crowds were nowhere to be seen, and the entire lagoon felt so peaceful and untouched.
Barracuda Lake
We were the first boat to arrive at Barracuda Lake and were rewarded with the most perfect mirrored reflection in the water.
Not only is this one of the most beautiful lakes in Coron, but it is also one of the most unique places to snorkel and dive in the Philippines.
The crystal-clear lake is a rare mix of fresh and saltwater and features a fascinating thermocline, or a layer where water temperatures change dramatically. The cooler water near the surface sits at around 82°F, while temperatures can reach nearly 100°F about 45 feet below!
Just below the surface, you’ll also find incredible underwater limestone karsts. These act like a natural filter, so the water is remarkably clear, with visibility around 80-100 feet.
It was so cool to snorkel here, and our guide even showed us how to dive down and spot little catfish hiding among the limestone formations by tapping stones against the karsts.
There is also a traditional wooden raft, and for a few pesos, a guide is on site to take you for a little paddle out on the water.
The whole scenery here was almost too beautiful to be real, it felt like a movie set.
Kayangan Lake
Kayangan Lake is another popular freshwater lake. After our boat docked, we made our way up a steep staircase to reach the famous viewpoint.
Between the endless stairs, the humidity, and the swarms of mosquitoes, I thought there was a good chance I wouldn’t make it! But I’m so glad I did, because the view from the top is incredible.
After a quick photo (did I mention the mosquitoes??), we continued down the stairs on the other side to reach the lake.
Kayangan Lake is known for having some of the clearest water in Asia and is considered a sacred ancestral site by the local Tagbanua tribe
We snorkeled and swam for a little bit, and it was a nice break from the heat and the mosquitoes.
Coral Gardens of Twin Peaks and Atwayan Coral Gardens
Most boat tours include several snorkeling stops, and we loved the chance to explore the incredible underwater world surrounding Coron Island.
We stopped at Coral Gardens of Twin Peaks and Atwayan Coral Gardens, which are known for having some of the best-preserved coral reefs in the area.
We snorkeled among colorful tropical fish and vibrant coral formations, while our guide pointed out unique marine creatures and even found a few starfish for us to see up close.
One important thing to keep in mind is that box jellyfish are found throughout the waters around Coron Island, so be sure to exercise extra caution while swimming and snorkeling. Vinegar is effective for box jelly stings, so double-check with your boat tour operator that they have some on board.
Vivian Beach
Vivian Beach has serious wow factor! This pristine, postage-stamp-sized beach is tucked into a small cove at the base of a soaring cliff covered with dense tropical vegetation.
Aside from a few thatched shade structures, it felt like we’d stumbled upon our own remote castaway island.
The shallow, turquoise water was perfect for swimming, and I could have spent all day relaxing on the white sand beach.
Atwayan Beach
Atwayan Beach wasn’t quite as dramatic as some of the other beaches on the island, but it was still pretty and worth a stop.
A vendor was selling fresh smoothies on the beach. Even though they weren’t quite as good as we were hoping, we were happy to support the locals.
We also saw the cutest stray dog, and it was hard to resist petting him. There are so many stray dogs in the Philippines, but they often carry diseases, and there’s always a risk of rabies, so keep your distance.
The beach had several covered picnic tables, which led us to believe that this is a popular lunch stop for day trippers. I’m sure it gets crowded during the day, so it was nice to have it all to ourselves.
Skeleton Wreck
Skeleton Wreck was hands-down my favorite snorkeling spot!
As soon as our boat pulled up, we were surrounded by hundreds of black-and-white striped sergeant fish. I was surprised that they didn’t swim away once we got in the water, and it felt like we were swimming inside an aquarium!
In addition to the friendly school of fish, Skeleton Wreck is named for a submerged Japanese supply ship that was sunk during an air raid in WWII. The bow of the ship sits about 16 feet below the surface, so you can actually swim down to it.
Over time, the shipwreck has become an artificial reef, attracting shoals of colorful fish, including reef fish, parrotfish, damselfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, and the occasional sea turtle.
Banol Beach
Speaking of dramatic beaches, Banol Beach takes the cake! Coron is known for having one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatic tropical limestone karst landscapes, and it is on full display at Banol Beach.
Here, a pristine stretch of white sand is backed by towering limestone karst cliffs that seem to rise almost vertically out of the ocean.
The jagged pinnacles and sheer rock faces have been sculpted by nature over millions of years, creating an otherworldly landscape that looks almost too beautiful to be real.
Banol Beach was the final stop on our boat tour, and it was the perfect way to end the day!
Final Thoughts
Coron Island really is someplace special. It takes a little extra effort, planning, and expense to get here, but I promise it’s worth it. It’s one of those destinations that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.
The best time to visit really depends on what you’re looking for. December through February is generally considered the dry season. While you’ll have a better chance of having good weather, this is also peak tourist season, which means more crowds and higher prices.
The rainy season typically runs from June through November. The weather can be more unpredictable and wet, but you’ll also find fewer tourists and generally more affordable prices.
We visited at the beginning of July and lucked out to only have a few days of rain, but that is not always the case. If you decide to visit during the rainy season, I recommend keeping your itinerary flexible and building in a little extra time for potential weather delays.
I hope this guide has helped you plan your trip to Coron Island. It truly is one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever visited, and I have a feeling this is going to be one of those vacations you’ll remember long after you return home!
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