Coron, Palawan Travel Guide: Island Hopping & Things to Do

Jan 2, 2021

6 min read

Updated: Oct 20

Coron is nothing like any other place I've been to! It's wild, natural, and incredibly beautiful. I really enjoyed my time here, especially exploring the surrounding islands by private boat.

In this guide, I'm sharing how to get to Coron, where to stay, the best things to do, and my personal recommendations to help you plan your visit.

Where Is Coron?
How to Get to Coron
Where to Stay in Coron
Best Things to Do in Coron
How Many Days Do You Need in Coron?
Best Time to Visit Coron
Coron or El Nido: Which Is Better?

Where Is Coron?

Coron is located in Palawan, in the Philippines. One thing worth knowing before visiting is that Coron Town is on Busuanga Island, while many of the famous lakes, lagoons, and limestone cliffs are located on nearby Coron Island.

Most visitors stay in Coron Town and take boat tours to explore the surrounding islands.

How to Get to Coron

The easiest way to reach Coron is by flying to Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU), also known as Busuanga Airport. There are domestic flights from Manila and selected other destinations in the Philippines. From the airport, you can take a shared van or private transfer to Coron Town, which takes approximately 30 - 45 minutes. When we arrived, there were plenty of people outside the airport asking where we were staying. Don't worry! They were simply arranging shuttle transfers for arriving travellers.

If you're travelling around Palawan, another popular option is taking a ferry from El Nido to Coron. The journey usually takes around 3.5 - 5 hours, depending on the ferry service and sea conditions. Make sure to check ferry schedules in advance, as crossings can be affected by bad weather.

Where to Stay in Coron

Coron has plenty of accommodation options, from simple guesthouses and budget-friendly hostels to boutique hotels and more luxurious resorts. I'd recommend staying near Coron Town centre if you want easy access to restaurants, shops, and island-hopping tours. The town is relatively small, so you can explore much of the centre on foot. For places further away, local tricycles are a convenient option. You'll also find plenty of tour operators along the main roads, making it easy to arrange activities and boat trips.

Best Things to Do in Coron

1. Go Island Hopping

Island hopping is an absolute must-do in Coron! It's the best way to experience the incredible limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, beautiful beaches, and clear lakes that make this destination so special. Personally, I recommend renting a private boat rather than joining a group tour. Yes, it costs a little more, but in my experience, it's absolutely worth it! Here's why:

Avoid some of the crowds. You have more flexibility to visit popular attractions outside the busiest times, although avoiding crowds completely isn't guaranteed.
Choose your own itinerary. You can decide which places you'd like to visit, while your guide can recommend the best route.
Enjoy the freedom. If you love a particular beach and want to spend longer there, you can! There's no need to rush to keep up with a large group.

I loved being able to explore at our own pace. You can arrange boat tours through local operators in Coron Town or book in advance. Just remember that some attractions have additional entrance fees, and tours depend on weather and sea conditions.

2. Visit Kayangan Lake

Kayangan Lake was one of my favourite stops during our island-hopping tour. It's one of Coron's most famous attractions, surrounded by impressive limestone cliffs and beautiful clear water. You'll need to climb some steps to reach the lake, but the scenery is absolutely worth it. Don't miss the famous viewpoint overlooking the bay!

3. Relax at White Sand Beach

Another beautiful stop during our boat tour was White Sand Beach. We really enjoyed spending time here, relaxing and taking in the tropical surroundings. One of the best things about having a private boat was being able to enjoy places like this without feeling rushed.

4. Explore Ouin Lagoon

Ouin Lagoon was another of my favourite places during our private boat trip. Coron has so many beautiful lagoons and hidden corners that it's difficult to choose just a few!

5. Discover Barracuda Lake and Twin Lagoon

Two other attractions that were highly recommended to us were Barracuda Lake and Twin Lagoon. Barracuda Lake is known for its clear water, limestone surroundings, and unusual underwater temperature layers, making it particularly interesting for divers. Twin Lagoon is another of Coron's most famous attractions, with spectacular limestone cliffs and beautiful turquoise water. Both are worth considering when choosing your island-hopping itinerary.

6. Watch the Sunset from Mount Tapyas

After your boat trip, or on another evening during your stay, I recommend visiting Mount Tapyas. You'll need to climb more than 700 steps to reach the viewpoint, so bring some water and take your time. The views over Coron Town, the bay, and the surrounding islands are beautiful. And the sunset from here is absolutely mesmerizing!

7. Relax at Maquinit Hot Springs

If you have some extra time in Coron, another popular attraction is Maquinit Hot Springs, located a short drive from Coron Town. These natural saltwater hot springs are surrounded by mangroves and offer a relaxing way to finish a day of exploring. It's a nice alternative if you want a break from island hopping.

How Many Days Do You Need in Coron?

I'd recommend spending at least 2 - 3 days in Coron. You can dedicate one full day to island hopping, another to exploring more lakes or beaches, and enjoy an evening watching the sunset from Mount Tapyas. If you're short on time, you can see some of Coron's highlights during a single boat tour. However, I wouldn't recommend travelling all the way here for just one day. If you enjoy diving or want to explore more of the surrounding islands, consider staying longer.

Best Time to Visit Coron

The best time to visit Coron is generally during the drier months, from November to May, with December to April being particularly popular. These months typically offer better conditions for island hopping, swimming, and exploring the beaches. However, keep in mind that boat tours can be cancelled due to strong winds or rough seas at any time of year. I'd recommend leaving some flexibility in your itinerary if possible.

Coron or El Nido: Which Is Better?

Both Coron and El Nido are incredibly beautiful, but they offer slightly different experiences.

Coron is particularly famous for its clear lakes, lagoons, limestone cliffs, and shipwreck diving.
El Nido is known for its dramatic limestone scenery, beautiful beaches, and island-hopping tours.

Personally, I think both are worth visiting if you have enough time! If you're planning to explore more of Palawan, check out my El Nido travel guide for more practical tips and things to do.

FAQ: Visiting Coron, Palawan

Is Coron worth visiting?

Absolutely! Coron is one of the most beautiful destinations in the Philippines, especially if you love nature, tropical islands, and beautiful scenery. For me, exploring the surrounding islands by private boat was the highlight.

How many days do you need in Coron?

I recommend at least 2 - 3 days. This gives you time for island hopping, exploring Coron Town, and enjoying the sunset from Mount Tapyas. Stay longer if you want to go diving or visit more islands.

Can you visit Coron without renting a scooter?

Yes! Coron Town is relatively small, and local tricycles are available for getting around. Most of the famous attractions are reached by boat, so renting a scooter isn't necessary.

Is a private boat tour worth it in Coron?

In my experience, absolutely! We loved having the flexibility to choose our stops and spend more time at our favourite places. It costs more than a shared tour, but for us, the freedom was worth it.

What is the best time to visit Coron?

The drier months from November to May are generally the best time to visit. December to April is especially popular for island hopping, although weather conditions can affect boat tours throughout the year.

Is Coron better than El Nido?

It depends on what you're looking for! Coron is especially popular for lakes, lagoons, and diving, while El Nido is famous for its beaches and dramatic limestone scenery. If possible, I'd recommend experiencing both.

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