Discover the Tropical Paradise of Coron: Your Ultimate Vacation Destination
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Are you dreaming of a perfect tropical getaway? Look no further than the breathtaking island of Coron in the Philippines. With its crystal-clear waters, pristine white-sand beaches and vibrant marine life, it’s no wonder that Coron has become a must-visit vacation destination for travelers worldwide. This article will take you on a journey through the many reasons why Coron is a famous tourist spot, from its mesmerizing natural attractions to its captivating historical sites.
6 Reasons Why Coron must be on Top of your Places to Travel
1. Exquisite Natural Beauty
One of the main reasons Coron has gained fame as a vacation spot is its unparalleled natural beauty. The island boasts powdery white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and lush green landscapes that create a picture-perfect paradise. Island hopping is a popular activity, allowing visitors to explore the breathtaking scenery of surrounding islets, hidden lagoons, and secret beaches.
2. World-Class Diving and Snorkeling
Coron is a diver’s dream, with its thriving underwater ecosystem and a treasure trove of shipwrecks. The island is famous for its sunken Japanese shipwrecks from World War II, which have transformed into fascinating artificial reefs teeming with marine life. Snorkeling enthusiasts will also find plenty to explore, with vibrant coral gardens and an abundance of colorful fish.
Scuba diving in El Nido
3. Soothing Hot Springs and Freshwater Lakes
Relax and rejuvenate in the island’s natural hot springs, which provide a soothing retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life. For a unique experience, take a dip in one of Coron’s famous freshwater lakes, such as the enchanting Kayangan Lake or the serene Barracuda Lake. These pristine lakes boast crystal-clear waters and are surrounded by breathtaking limestone cliffs.
4. Rich Cultural Heritage
Coron is not just about natural beauty – it’s also a place with a rich cultural heritage. The island is home to the indigenous Tagbanua people, who have lived in the area for centuries. Visitors can learn about their traditional way of life, customs, and beliefs by visiting local villages and taking part in cultural activities.
5. Sustainable Tourism Practices
Coron is committed to preserving its natural wonders for future generations through sustainable tourism practices. The local government and businesses work together to implement eco-friendly initiatives, such as limiting the number of tourists in popular sites, regulating waste disposal, and promoting responsible snorkeling and diving practices.
6. Wide Range of Accommodations and Dining Options
Whether you’re looking for a luxurious resort or a budget-friendly guesthouse, Coron offers a wide range of accommodations to suit every traveler’s needs. The island is also home to an array of dining options, serving delicious local and international cuisine.
Island Hopping to Black Island, Coron, Palawan
Island Hopping to Black Island, Coron, Palawan
Places to Visit in Coron while Island Hopping
Kayangan Lake
Often called the cleanest lake in Asia, Kayangan Lake is surrounded by limestone cliffs and offers crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Twin Lagoons
Separated by a limestone wall, the Twin Lagoons are known for their mesmerizing blue-green waters. One lagoon is accessible by swimming or kayaking under a natural rock archway during low tide.
Siete Pecados
A marine sanctuary and a popular snorkeling spot, Siete Pecados is home to vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.
CYC (Coron Youth Club) Beach
This public beach features white sands, clear waters, and excellent snorkeling opportunities, attracting tourists and locals alike.
Barracuda Lake
Named for the large barracudas occasionally spotted here, Barracuda Lake is a unique dive site with a mix of fresh and saltwater, as well as drastic underwater temperature changes.
Skeleton Wreck
This Japanese shipwreck from World War II is shallow enough for snorkelers to explore and observe the marine life that has made the wreck its home.
Banol Beach
Banol Beach is a small, picturesque beach located on Coron Island in Palawan, Philippines. Known for its powdery white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and striking limestone cliffs, Banol Beach is a popular destination for island hopping tours in the Coron area. It is also perfect for sunset watching and surprise beach wedding proposals.
Malcapuya Island
Known for its powdery white sand and clear waters, Malcapuya Island is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing.
Banana Island
A perfect spot for a beachside picnic, Banana Island features coconut trees, clear waters, and excellent snorkeling opportunities. It is a popular destination for island hopping in the Coron area due to its stunning natural beauty and array of activities. Named for its banana-like shape, Banana Island offers pristine white sandy beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and lush green surroundings.
Bulog Dos Island
Connected to Malaroyroy Peninsula via a sandbar, Bulog Dos Island is a small, picturesque island ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and taking in the views.
Pass Island
With its white sand beach, turquoise waters, and lush surroundings, Pass Island is a great spot for relaxation and water activities like snorkeling and swimming.
Ditaytayan Island
Ditaytayan Island, located in the Calamian Islands group in Palawan, Philippines, is a hidden gem with unique features that set it apart from other island destinations in the Coron area. Here are some of the distinctive characteristics of Ditaytayan Island:
Sandbar: One of the most unique features of Ditaytayan Island is its stunning, curving white sandbar, which changes shape with the tides. The sandbar offers breathtaking views, making it an ideal spot for photography and beach strolls.
Seclusion: Ditaytayan Island is less frequented by tourists compared to other popular spots in Coron, allowing visitors to enjoy the pristine natural beauty in a more tranquil and serene setting.
Bird Watching: Ditaytayan Island is home to various bird species, making it a great spot for bird watching and wildlife photography.
These unique features make Ditaytayan Island an ideal destination for tourists seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience that offers both relaxation and adventure.
Green Lagoon
The Green Lagoon, also known as the Green Lagoon Cove, is a hidden gem located in Coron, Palawan. It is an enchanting spot that offers a serene and beautiful escape from the more crowded tourist attractions in the area. The Green Lagoon gets its name from the vibrant green hue of the water, which is a result of the surrounding limestone cliffs and lush vegetation reflecting on the water’s surface.
The Green Lagoon is often part of an island-hopping tour, but it can be less crowded than other attractions like the Twin Lagoons or Kayangan Lake. It is an excellent spot for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing in a tranquil and picturesque environment. The clear emerald waters are shallow and calm, making it an ideal location for visitors of all ages and swimming abilities.
Smith Beach
Smith Beach, also known as Smith Point Beach or Malaroyroy Beach, is a small, pristine beach located on Coron Island in Palawan, Philippines. This idyllic beach offers powdery white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and a peaceful atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for relaxation and sunbathing. The secluded nature of Smith Beach allows visitors to enjoy its natural beauty without the crowds often found at more popular destinations in the area.
Atwayan Beach
Atwayan Beach is a small, white-sand beach with crystal-clear waters, located on a cove on Coron Island. It is a popular stop during island-hopping tours due to its picturesque setting and peaceful atmosphere. The beach is surrounded by lush greenery and limestone cliffs, making it a perfect spot for relaxation, swimming, and sunbathing.
With its unrivaled beauty, fascinating history, and commitment to sustainable tourism, Coron is truly a tropical paradise that’s captured the hearts of travelers from all corners of the globe. So why wait? Pack your bags, and get ready to experience the vacation of a lifetime in this idyllic Philippine island. Click the photo below to get a quote!
I give 5 stars because they actually helped me to arrange the tour to Balabac in last minute. However, because the money wired through the local bank in my country took time to be processed, so i missed the boat due to peak season as many people paid before my money was received by the tour guide.As most of people usually feel, once your money has been transferred out to someone you do not know, you probably frustrated that your money would not be able to be refunded.But not in my experience. I dont need to be worry, the owner refunded me the money he has received (minus the bank fees). He promised to refund me and he did it. It was around 18.700 Pesos.So, eventhough i didn't manage to go with the tour, but i am really satisfied with their legitimate and great business practice. Hopefully, people will try their services and not worry about their legit business!Thanks a lot!
The most wonderful experience from booking to beach! Karel and Mel were so fast and responsive to my very last minute trip over the holidays. We booked a private boat for two and could not have been happier with our four day trip! We didn’t think about anything other than snorkeling the entire time. Linda, our captain, cooked wonderful meals and took us to totally empty beautiful beaches. We loved staying the night in Pical especially! Wonderful to experience the Philippines this way! Will come back again and would recommend to anyone!
We booked the 3 day 2 night expedition, from Coron to Sibaltan.First of all the booking part was really simple. I organized this trip to the Philippines last minute for my family (my parents and my uncles) but Karel answered all my questions very quickly and really made everything easier for me. It was an incredible experience. Albert, our tour leader, is a wonderful guy, always smiling and ready to help us. They assisted us in everything and really took care of making everything go smoothly. The accommodation on the islands is as spartan as you expect but the location of each hut alone is worth the trip. The wonder of nature was then added to the goodness of cuisine. It's really difficult to argue how you can cook all that goodness on a boat.If you are looking for an authentic experience, in contact with nature, off the beaten track, this company's private expedition is certainly for you.
What an unforgettable experience! We did a two night (3 day) island hopping tour from Sibaltan to Coron. Everything was so well organized and the boat crew were amazing and really made sure we had a great time. The accommodation was rustic, but added to the authentic experience of the Philippines. Karel always responded to any queries we had promptly. Our boatman, Albert, was the most amazing chef and we enjoyed every meal. The crew taught the kids how to fish with a line which was their highlight of the trip. They took us to the most unbelievable snorkelling spots along the way. Would highly recommend this trip.
This is a must to do!!Super ultimate tour is the best with Kayangan and barracuda lake, twin lagoons (my favorite), coral garden (blue fabulous coral) were the best. It’s really worth it to pay for private tour (3500 to 4000 PHP). You will also have to pay for entrance fees (150 to 200PHP by location) and eventually shopping at the market - must do (count 300 for 2 for fish, pork, fruits and vegetables, water).
I was looking for a personalized excursion to the stunning Bacuit Gulf.Based on the comments, I contacted Mel.Very responsive, very efficient and perfect organization.The on-board staff were very friendly and very helpful.And I'm not even talking about the meal on board...a marvel.In all fairness, this excursion will remain an excellent memory and I cannot recommend Mel and his team highly enough.A big thank-you.
This tour went well above all our expectations! I couldn't recommend this enough! The boat crew, captain and tour guide were nothing but amazing, everyone was so kind, helpful and friendly. The crew knew the best spots to visit that weren't overcrowded with tourists, 3 times we were lucky enough to have whole islands to ourselves! It was my partner's birthday while away and everything went above and beyond, bonfire, cake, birthday card, singing and celebrating with us.If you love camping this is definitely a tout you should do, it has been the highlight of our trip!!
We booked a 4 days/3 nights private boat trip from Coron to Sibaltan. The organization went very well from the beginning, the owner answered to all my questions, and we were able to choose which islands to visit and where to sleep. The first night we slept in a bungalow in Banana Island, the second we camped in Araw beach and the last we slept in a seafront bungalow builded on a tree in Pical on Iloc Island.The islands in that area are the most beautiful islands I have ever seen, with clear water, lots of coral reef and fishes to see, white sand and almost deserted. The crew was very friendly and polite and they organize every single meal and for camping they give you a tent which was just perfect! This was our highlight in our 2 weeks in the Philippines and I wish I had booked a longer trip. A private trip gives you the freedom to decide where and when to go.
Gérard Benoit
2023-02-08
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I was looking for a personalized excursion to the beautiful bay of Bacuit.
Seeing the comments, I contacted Mel.
Very responsive, very efficient and perfect organization.
The crew were very friendly and very helpful.
And I'm not even talking about the meal on board...a marvel.
In all fairness, this excursion will remain an excellent memory and I can recommend Mel and his team highly enough.
A big thank-you.
André Mardoñal
2019-10-22
recommends
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The island world of Linapacan between Coron and El Nido with the clearest waters in the world is truly a dream for itself! Without a boat you won't be able to see it! But what this boat trips makes so amazing is the crew! Once you come on board they might be shy in the beginning but will make you feel welcome and home from the first moment. Not only that they are looking that you sit comfortable all the time, they will prepare fresh and delicious food what the buy from local markets.
They know the best spots and most beautiful islands and will bring you to places where you get this "Robinson Cruisoe feeling". Every day you visit 3 to 5 spots for snorkeling, enjoying a beach or exploring a little island.
The accommodation we had was good and simple. We slept in bungalows and tents right at the beach. Sheets and towels were always provided and sometimes towels.
After a while you feel like a family on board. We loved living the boat life didn't wanna leave! If you doubt take a longer than shorter trip!
For any questions please message me.
Sarah Uhan
2019-01-31
recommends
All in all it was a really great experience. It's a once in a lifetime thing to do and you won't get more authentic and basic Philippino experiences anywhere else.
We were not so lucky with the wind and waves so we couldn't do all the stops we wanted to unfortunately. So be aware that especially the months from January to May can be very rough on water. But we still saw some great places Benji took us.
Benji and his family was very nice and they did everything they could. The food was amazing - always freshly made in authentic Philippino style and way too much for the 2 of us.
Make sure to bring enough cash - many of the islands cost extra (entrance fee) and be aware that any kind of accommodation and food (200php per meal) is not included in the boat fee. Also the deposit and commission fee for the agency are a little over the top, especially since the crew does not get any of it. The costs all in all are rather high for phillipino circumstances especially given the basicness of it all. However if you think about that all 5 boat people (in our case) live off of the boat fee alone, you spent the money willingly.
Be aware though that accommodation and sanataries are very basic if even existant. So you gotta have the right mindset. Bring tissue, sanatiszer and earplugs to get some better sleep.
Another feedback I have concerning the size of the boat. I don't think it is sufficient for more than 4 people. If the weather is like it was these days, you always have to sit on top and it was already a little squeezy with us 2 and 5 boat people. So I guess 4 guests can be fine but more than that won't have the space. There is different boat sizes but make sure to talk about that with Karel in advance.
Other than that it was really worth it and we got to see so many great beaches and reefs which we could have never been able to visit without the tour.
Eric Liu
2018-03-15
recommends
It was scary to book a 5 day trip with no places to stay confirmed or a strong itinerary. And in the Philippines, communication is difficult. But that is part of changing mindsets to a rural island mindset. In the end, everything worked out. We had some tough moments with bugs. But we also had some amazingly beautiful secluded beaches, the best snorkeling in the world, relaxing on the beach, and freshly made food on the boat while docked at beautiful places (better than being on land). Note, we went with Benji.
Recommendations:
- you must get a local SIM when you arrive to make sure pickup and everything works out
- some islands have bugs - use bug spray!
Pros:
- a fraction of the cost
- away from the crowds
- can customize what you want - just ask!
- a truly local experience - saw a REAL rural town
Cons:
- locals aren't really polished tour guides
- if you don't ask for it, you won't get it, need to be pretty proactive
- pretty simple "activities" - no frills like bathrooms or kayaks etc.
Ángela Deand
2017-04-26
recommends
We can't be more grateful to have had the opportunity of experience the peace in Patoyo Kitesurfing Camping!
Spending two weeks in Dimancal Island, gave us the chance to experiment the rural and traditional way of life, in touch with the nature and people.
We have learnt how to cook with fire, how to open a coconut and how to survive in an environment where for a time we forget about unnecessary needs, just to focus on enjoy the small details and pleasures of life.
Mentioning too the amazing snorkeling and beautiful islands around this place, which make it unique and special.
It is a lovely option if you are running away from tourists and overcrowded places in the Philippines. You will find yourself in the middle of virgin beaches and nature, surrounding by charming people.
We will definitely come back!
Caroline Danielle
2017-02-13
recommends
We haven't done a Tao tour, but I would suspect that this is a cheaper version of the same thing. Our boat operator (Benji) and the entire crew were were fun, friendly and made an effort to ensure we had a good time. If you get a large group of people together it can be a really inexpensive alternative to other Coron-El Nino and vice versa island hopping tours.
The food was good, but more expensive than as advertised by Karl. The price quote we got was 100 php a meal, but the boat charged us 200. Since the food was good we didn't mind the extra expense, but it is important to keep in mind if you're on a budget. Definitely plan for some incidental spending.
Our boat did have some mechanical issues and as a result we ended up being stuck in the same place for longer than we wanted to be. That being said, little could have been done about it and the trip was fun nonetheless.
Hauk Are Fjeld
2017-01-01
recommends
If you believe that doing the touristic tours in El Nido and going to "The hidden beach" takes you off the beaten path, you are wrong. There are lots of beautiful places in Palawan, but few of these places are without any other tourists. If you want to spend some extra effort on getting away from the tourist places, and don't mind a little "primitive" living, Island Hopping in the Philippines is definitely something you should check out
Arnold Cabiguen
2015-05-08
recommends
The snorkeling in this area is phenomenal. Clearest waters in the world. I guess it's because there is relatively such lower tourist traffic through here, and the locals really protect the reefs!
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