What is Coron famous for?

Coron is the wreck diving capital of the Philippines — WWII Japanese shipwrecks in shallow water, some snorkelable. It's also home to Kayangan Lake (the famous viewpoint), Twin Lagoon, and Maquinit hot springs.

How many days do you need in Coron?

3-4 days: one day on the Ultimate Island Tour (Kayangan, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake), one day wreck diving or snorkeling, one chill day at hot springs and town.

Is Coron or El Nido better?

El Nido has more dramatic lagoons and beaches; Coron has better underwater life, wrecks, and fewer crowds. Most travelers do both — the ferry between them takes 4 hours.

How much does Coron cost?

$30-45 per day: hostel $6-10, island tour $18-25, wreck dive $40-60 (two dives with gear), hot springs $5.

Coron Travel Guide: Wrecks, Lagoons & the Famous Viewpoint

Coron is Palawan's grittier, diver-focused sibling. WWII shipwrecks you can snorkel, lakes that look fake, and a vibe that's more local than El Nido. Here's the honest guide.

Kayangan Lake viewpoint Coron Island Palawan

🗺️ First, Understand Coron

Coron town sits on Busuanga Island, facing Coron Island across a strait. It's rougher around the edges than El Nido — dusty streets, working fishing boats, more locals going about their lives. That's not a bug, that's the appeal.

The star attractions are on Coron Island (the one with the lakes) and in the waters around it (full of WWII Japanese shipwrecks). Both are reached by the classic Coron island-hopping tour.

How long to stay: 3-4 days. One full island tour, one wreck-snorkeling day, one chill day. Most people come for 3 and wish they'd booked 4.

🏝️ The Must-Do Tour

There's essentially one main tour everyone does, plus a few variations. The Ultimate Tour (also called the Classic or Tour A) hits all the icons:

📸 Kayangan Lake

The famous viewpoint shot

Climb 300 steps to the viewpoint, get THE Coron photo — emerald lake framed by limestone cliffs. Then descend into the lake itself. It's a mix of fresh and saltwater, so you float effortlessly. Swim out to the far side for the best water. Part of the tour.

🌊 Twin Lagoon

Two worlds in one cove

A lagoon split by a limestone wall with a gap you swim through. The water temperature changes as you cross — warm on one side, cool on the other. The entrance is the fun part. Part of the tour.

🐟 Barracuda Lake

Thermocline weirdness

Dramatic cliffs, deep water, and a thermocline that makes the water visibly shimmer. Great for a jump off the wooden platform. Less crowded than Kayangan. Part of the tour.

🏖️ CYC Beach / Skeleton Wreck

Lunch stop + shallow wreck

Lunch on the beach, then a snorkel over the Skeleton Wreck — a WWII wreck in shallow water you can see from the surface. The easy intro to Coron's wreck diving. Part of the tour.

Tour cost: $18-25 including lunch, mask, and snorkel. Departs 9am, back 4pm.

🤿 Wreck Diving: The Real Reason Divers Come

Coron Bay holds the wrecks of Japanese supply ships sunk by US planes in September 1944. Some of the best wreck diving in the world, and it's shallow enough for beginners.

If you're certified: do at least one wreck dive. The Irako (with intact engine room) and Okikawa Maru (the biggest) are the classics. Dive shops run daily trips: $40-60 for two dives, gear included.

Not certified? Take a Discover Scuba course (1 day, $50-70) — they'll take you on a shallow wreck. Or skip it: the snorkel tours cover the shallow wrecks fine.

Best dive shops: Rocksteady Dive Center and Busuanga Bay Divers are the two most reliable in town. Both speak English, both do small groups.

🏖️ Beyond the Tour: Maquinit Hot Springs

Coron's hidden gem. Natural saltwater hot springs, 15 minutes outside town by tricycle ($3). Four pools at different temperatures, set in mangroves, open until 8pm. The perfect wind-down after a day on the boat. Entry: $5. Do it — it's the best $5 you'll spend in Coron.

💰 Real Costs in Coron (2026)

Item	Price
Hostel dorm bed	$6 - $10
Island tour (Ultimate)	$18 - $25
Wreck dive (2 dives)	$40 - $60
Hot springs entry	$5
Local meal	$2 - $4
Daily total (backpacker)	$30 - $45

⛴️ Getting to Coron

From El Nido: 4-hour ferry, $25-30. Leaves 6am daily (Montenegro or Atienza lines). Rough seas in wet season — motion sickness pills are not optional.

From Manila: Direct flights to Busuanga Airport (USU) on Cebu Pacific and AirAsia, $30-55. Airport to Coron town: 45-minute van, $5.

From Puerto Princesa: 8-hour van, $15, or the 5-hour boat. Most people don't do this route — fly or take the ferry instead.

🛏️ Where to Stay

Most hostels are on the seafront strip near the port. All prices are dorms.

Budget: Dayon Hostel ($6, quiet, clean), Hop Hostel ($7, rooftop bar, social), The Hub ($8, best WiFi in town, work-friendly).

Splurge worth it: Coron Ecolodge ($15, beachside, sunset views) — treat yourself for 2 nights.

Book 2-3 days ahead in dry season. Coron is smaller than El Nido, so options fill up faster.

⚠️ What Nobody Tells You

🌊 The ferry from El Nido is rough. The Sulu Sea stretch can be genuinely unpleasant. Take pills, sit outside if you can, and don't book a dive for the day after.

💵 Cash only, mostly. Several restaurants and tours are cash-only. Withdraw in Manila or Puerto Princesa — Coron's ATMs run out too.

🦟 Sandflies at lunch beaches. Same as El Nido — DEET before you land, not after.

📅 Sundays are quiet. Many dive shops close Sundays. Plan dives for Mon-Sat.

Planning a bigger trip?

Coron is part of the Palawan trail — see the full Palawan guide, or combine it with El Nido on the ferry route.