Culion – a quick guide

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Culion is a quiet island municipality in northern Palawan, often visited from Coron by travelers who want to see a more historical and less touristy side of the region. While Coron is better known for island hopping, lagoons, and diving, Culion is known for its fascinating past, laid-back atmosphere, and heritage landmarks.

If you enjoy places with character, history, and a slower local feel, Culion can be a worthwhile side trip or overnight stop. It can also be combined with Coron or included in a broader custom route through northern Palawan.

My own personal experience

On one of my errands to Coron, the next boat offered from the Linapacan area had to go through Culion, with an overnight stay (there is a daily ferry to and from Coron, but it departed before my boat got there). I figured, why not. I’ll get there faster and it will give me an opportunity to explore another part of this area.

The hotel owner was also a tour guide, who drove me around during the day and showed me the sights. Culion may not be as instantly dramatic as some of Palawan’s more famous island destinations, but it has a unique character and a surprisingly rich history that makes it interesting for travelers looking to explore beyond the usual route.

Is Culion worth visiting?

Culion is worth visiting for travelers who enjoy history, local culture, and destinations that feel less commercial than some of Palawan’s more famous spots. It is not mainly about luxury resorts or flashy attractions. Instead, Culion offers a glimpse into an important chapter of Philippine history, along with peaceful coastal scenery and a more relaxed pace of travel.

For many travelers, Culion works best as a day trip or overnight side trip from Coron. For others, it makes sense as one stop within a wider Palawan island-hopping or custom boat tour route.

History of Culion

Culion was formed as a leper colony during the US colonial period, the first group of patients arriving from Cebu in 1906. At the time it was considered an infectious and incurable disease and measures were taken across the country to segregate those who were inflicted. Many lepers were forced to move there, such that by the 1930s there were more than 16,000 patients on the island, making it the largest and most organised leprosarium in the world. It was referred to as “The Island of the Living Dead”, but one hundred years after when the first patient set foot on its soil (2006), the World Health Organisation declared it leprosy-free.

Some claim that, because of the stigma associated so long with the island, the locals have grown accustomed to being exceedingly kind, in order to compensate for the horrible disease, but personally I found them as nice and hospitable as the lovely Filipinos I meet generally.

How to get to Culion from Coron

The most common way to reach Culion is from Coron, either by public ferry, arranged boat transfer, or as part of a guided day trip. Transport schedules and fares can change, so it is always wise to confirm the latest details locally before traveling.

Some travelers visit Culion independently from Coron, while others prefer to include it in a private custom island-hopping route through northern Palawan.

My specific experience at the time of visiting

There is only one public ferry to Culion Island trip per day. There are two boats that alternate every other day, the Barbara and Olympia, plies the Coron-Culion Island route and leaves Coron Port at 1-1:30pm. The next day, the Culion-Coron boat leaves at 7:30-8am. The ride takes about two hours. There is a 32-passenger capacity each trip so it’s best to visit early in the morning and sign up to reserve your slot. Boat fare at this time of writing is Php 180/pax payable on board and there’s a Php 20 terminal fee at the pier.

Day Tours to Culion Island are also offered by several travel agencies in town. Usually at Php 1,150/pax for a group minimum of 5 pax.

Another way to get there is by joining or booking one of our private custom Palawan boat tours between El Nido and Coron. Tons of paradise beach islands to see along the way, excellent snorkeling in crystal clear waters, caves to explore, Spanish fortress and much more. Completely off the beaten path!

Things to do and places to stay

Book a place with booking.com:

Accommodation in Culion is generally more limited and simpler than in Coron, so it is a good idea to check availability in advance, especially during busier travel periods. If you are planning to stay overnight, you can browse current accommodation options below.

I found the three websites useful for such information: 1, 2, 3.

Unfortunately, I lost the contact info to the goofy little pension I stayed at below, but maybe I’ll eventually salvage a backup somewhere. Too many phones break in this salty and rainy environment!

Can Culion be included in a private Palawan boat tour?

Yes — Culion can sometimes be included as part of a custom private Palawan boat tour, depending on your route, timing, weather, and interests.

This can be a great option for travelers who want more than the standard Coron day tours and would like to combine historical stops, remote beaches, snorkeling, island scenery, and lesser-visited parts of northern Palawan. Depending on your plans, Culion may be combined with Coron, Linapacan, or even a broader expedition route toward El Nido.

If you are looking for something private, flexible, and more off the beaten path, feel free to contact us with your dates, group size, and preferred style of trip.

View out back at the goofy pension above. 

Back to exploring the Philippines.

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