The Ultimate Island Tour in Coron, Palawan
Coron is one of the most popular places to visit in the Philippines. With some of the clearest lakes in Asia and blue-green waters with rich corals, diverse sea life and shipwrecks (which are popular dive sites), this slice of heaven in The Philippines is almost certainly on every travelers list.
Travelers flock here to experience unforgettable island-hopping adventures, snorkel in vibrant coral gardens, scuba dive historic world war 2 shipwrecks and marvel at hidden lagoons.
Experience the best Palawan has to offer on the Ultimate Coron Island Tour!
Where is Coron?
Among the Philippines’ vast array of 7,641 islands, Coron stands out as one of the most popular!
Coron is the third-largest island in the Calamian Islands in northern Palawan in the Philippines. Palawan is a province in The Philippines that comprises of Puerto Princessa (the capital) and other popular towns such as El Nido and Port Barton.
The town of Coron is named after Coron Island, and is also referred to as Coron town proper. Despite its humble origins as a fishing village centered around a small port, Coron town proper has evolved into the primary tourism hub of the island.
Its allure lies in its crystal-clear turquoise lakes, vibrant coral gardens, remnants of sunken World War II ships, pristine white-sand beaches, and iconic limestone cliffs, (the limestone in Coron even has a name: Coron limestone).
It is about 170 nautical miles (310 km) southwest of Manila.
How do the tours in Coron work?
Tours vary between tour companies, but many are very similar in terms of pricing and itineraries. If you are arriving by ferry, there will be people handing out flyers for all the different tour companies as you leave the port. I recommend grabbing these and comparing your options.
You can also walk into town and check out different tour companies offices.
How much does the Ultimate Coron Island Tour cost?
For our tour, we paid ₽1900 per person ($45CAD or $35USD)
What was included:
- Lunch
- Entrance fees/Environmental fees
- Mask + Snorkel (no fins, pay extra)
- Kayak at Twin Lagoons
- Hotel pick up and drop off
The tour price covers all permits and entrance fees for the island hopping destinations, along with a buffet lunch featuring local Filipino dishes. Pickup and drop-off are included if you’re staying in Coron, using a shared van to transport you to and from the boat dock. Snorkel gear, including a mask, is provided, but fins are available for an additional fee.
While kayaks are usually not part of the package, they were included in our case.
We went with Mathias Tours; a decision influenced by our homestay host’s recommendation, coupled with the added benefit of having the kayak at the Twin Lagoon included in the tour price.
Typically, kayak rentals at various stops are not part of the tour package, making it essential to inquire in advance. Some of the locations charge up to ₽1000 ($24CAD or $17USD) for kayak rentals.
Mathias Tours were good, but nothing to rave about. If you can get your kayak included, I would recommend going with them. If not, you’re not missing out booking elsewhere.
It’s a good idea to bring some cash with you. If your kayak isn’t included, you might want to rent one on-site. Some of the stops have spots where you can buy drinks and snacks, or you can even grab something from the floating 7-Elevens!
Where should I book my Coron Island tour?
To book an Island Hopping Tour in Coron, you’ve got a few choices.
You can arrange it through your hostel or hotel reception, visit a shop in town, or just grab a flyer when you hop off your ferry at the pier. Usually, there are folks handing out flyers there with different tour options and contact numbers.
In our case, we booked our tour directly through our homestay host.
Alternatively, you can also book in advance online through GetYourGuide. This is the closest itinerary I could find to our tour:
When do Coron Island Tours Depart?
Tours depart daily.
All tours depart at 9:00 am, as per coast guard regulation.
The Ultimate Island Tour is the longest tour, and goes from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, with lunch included.
Super Ultimate Island Tour Itinerary:
The Coron Ultimate Tour is designed to hit all the top spots in one go. You’ll see Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, have lunch on the beach, The Skeleton Wreck (a ww2 shipwreck) and CYC Beach.
Stop 1: Kayangan Lake
Kayangan Lake stands as one of the crown jewels of Coron, celebrated as one of the most popular sightseeing spots in the region.
Accessible via a short hike (and a steep descent), visitors are rewarded with stunning panoramic views and the opportunity to swim in its pristine waters.
You’ll need to walk 367 steps before arriving at the lake, but only half of them are uphill. At the top of the steps, there is Kayangan Lake Viewpoint, where you can get a picture with Coron Bay in the back.
Then, follow the remainder of the stairs down to the lake.
Once there, travelers are greeted by the breathtaking sight of crystal-clear turquoise waters surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, creating a scene of unparalleled natural beauty.
Kayangan Lake is named the cleanest lake in all of the Philippines (and perhaps all of Asia!), and consists of 70% freshwater and 30% seawater.
Kayangan Lake Rules:
With great beauty, comes great responsibility. There are a few rules that need to be followed when visiting Kayangan Lake:
- No long fins
- No freediving
- Lifejackets are mandatory
- Food of any kind
- Coconuts
- Drones
- Smoking
- Speakers or loud sounds
We spent around 40 minutes at Kayangan Lake.
Kayangan Lake View Point
Funnily enough, the renowned viewpoint near Kayangan Lake doesn’t actually offer a view of the lake itself. Instead, it’s situated at the top of the stairs just before descending towards Kayangan Lake, providing a panoramic vista of the area where boats dock.
Stop 2: Barracuda Lake
Barracuda Lake is another gem of Palawan. Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and lush greenery, the lake’s serene beauty is truly mesmerizing.
The towering limestone formations emerge grandly from the water’s edge, forming a stunning backdrop against the lake’s tranquil waters. Below the surface, the limestone formations extend dramatically into the depths of the lake, shaping a captivating underwater vista.
To reach the lake, you may have to swim from the boat. There is little space for parking along the shore, or the tide may be low. It’s a short, shallow swim. From there, it’s about 10 steps up a wooden ladder and 10 steps down to reach the lake.
What sets Barracuda Lake apart is its fascinating thermocline phenomenon, where layers of warm and cold water meet, creating a distinct temperature gradient as you descend deeper. The surface water is warm and inviting, perfect for swimming, while below the thermocline, the temperature drops significantly, offering a refreshing contrast.
While life jackets are also mandatory at Barracuda lake, they will allow you to take them off in the water and do some free diving here.
While we were there, there was a Filipino guy in the water holding people’s life jackets and taking photos/videos of them with their go-pros or underwater cameras.
We spent around 30 minutes at Barracuda Lake.
Stop 3: Twin Lagoons
These twin wonders, known for their blue waters and surrounding limestone cliffs, provide a tranquil escape for travelers.
Connected by a narrow opening, the lagoons beckon adventurers to explore their tranquil depths, whether by kayak or by swimming through the cool, crystalline waters.
All of the tour boats arrive and anchor in the lagoon on the west side, and you have the choice of either swimming or kayaking to reach the other half of Twin Lagoon.
If you choose to swim, you’ll walk down your boat’s ladder into the water and swim your way to the narrow stairway that you’ll see built into the notch between the two steep limestone rock towers.
If the tide is low, you can choose to swim underneath the rock to reach the other side.
If the tide is high or you don’t feel comfortable submerging yourself in the water, take the stairs.
The other two lagoons are easily swim-able, but it was really nice having a kayak for the Twin Lagoons.
You can still easily swim this lagoon, but it’s much bigger than the first two, and is better explored from a kayak in my opinion.
We spent about 30-40 minutes to exploring the Twin Lagoons.
Stop 4: Lunch on the Beach
After a busy morning exploring lagoons and working up an appetite, it’s time for lunch!
The boat will take you to a beach where it docks. While you were sailing, the boat crew were busy preparing lunch at the back of the boat.
You’ll find a covered table area set up with a long table under a sheltered beach hut.
Lunch includes local Philippine dishes such as:
Fish
Chicken Adobo
Pork
Noodles (Pancit)
Rice
Vegetables
Fresh Fruits
After eating, you’ll have a short time to relax and digest on the beach. We spent about 40 minutes altogether docked here.
Accidents happen, make sure you are covered for all your adventures!
Stop 5: Snorkeling at the Skeleton Wreck
The Skeleton Wreck is a 25m long Japanese supply ship that was sunk in an airstrike by US forces during World War II. Most of the boat has weathered away. The steel keel, ribs, and stringers are all that remain; hence the name skeleton wreck.💀
The wreck sits on a slant, and rests at a depth of 5 to 22 meters at the stern. You can only see the shallow end of it.
Life jackets were not mandatory at this stop, but I would recommend them if you are not a strong swimmer. This is a popular spot for free diving.
There is also some nice coral and marine life nearby the wreck. This was a very busy spot with a lot of other boats and snorkelers.
We spent about 20-30 minutes at the Skeleton Wreck.
Stop 6: CYC Beach and Reef
The last stop of the day was another beach and snorkeling stop. The boat docked nearby a small island beach that you could swim too, or snorkel the reef along the shore.
We opted to swim around the boat, and took advantage of the floating 711 that came around.
These guys come around in their small boats with coolers full of beer, water, soda and sometimes ice cream, as well as snacks like bags of chips.
We spent about 30 minutes here at CYC Beach.
Back To Coron:
From CYC Beach, we sailed back to Coron. It took about 30-40 minutes to sail back to port. We got back around 5:30 pm.
Coron Ultimate Island Tour Quick Guide:
Price: ₽1900 per person ($45CAD or $35USD)
Time: 9:00 am start, usually 8-8:30 am pick up (if included, confirm with your tour operator)
Duration: 8 hours, we got back to port around 5:30 pm
Stops: Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, Lunch on the beach, Skeleton Wreck, CYC Beach
Inclusions: lunch, entrance/environmental feees, mask and snorkel (fins extra), hotel pick up and drop off. (Double check your inclusions with your tour operator.)
Extras: For an extra fee, you can rent kayaks at most of the stops. There’s little shops and ‘floating 711’s’ throughout the day to buy basic drinks/snacks
Notes: This tour is not advisable for those with limited mobility.
What to Pack for a Coron Island Hopping Tour:
Essentials:
Waterproof bag/backpack
Quick Dry Towel
Water Shoes
Sunscreen
Hat
Sunglasses
Drinking Water
Extra Cash
I highly recommend a dry bag when island hopping because there is a high chance that your belongings could get wet. I’ve linked my favorite one, but there are also tons of places in Coron to purchase dry bags.
Optional:
Personal snorkel gear
Underwater Camera/Waterproof phone case
Rash guard
Crowds:
Where there is beautiful scenery, corals, and beaches, there are also tourists. Coron is quickly increasing in popularity as a tourist destination in Palawan and the Philippines.
Due to coast guard regulations, no tours can leave earlier than 9:00 am. This results in a lot of tours boats arriving to their destinations at the same time.
Other Coron Tour Options:
The Ultimate Island Tour can be a busy day. If you want to explore Coron at a slower pace and have more days to spend in the area, you can choose from a variety of other tours.
Tour A and B are the most popular Coron tour options.
Tour A visits Kayangan Lake.
Tour B visits Barracuda Lake and Twin Lagoon, two other immensely popular sites famed for their underwater cliffs and free-diving or snorkeling.
Tour C: Island Escapade is the best option for a relaxed beach day on Coron’s remotest islands.
Tour D: Reefs and Wrecks is the best option for those who want to snorkel over Japanese shipwrecks which sank in Coron Bay during World War II.
Multi-day Island Hopping Trip:
There are also many multi-day island hopping trips to choose from. These tours are the best way to see the hot spots of Coron without the crowds. Since you are already sailing, these boats are not restricted by the 9:00 am departure time, and can arrive to these stops earlier in the morning before the other tours arrive.
Itineraries for this trips vary, but you can start and end in Coron, start in Coron and finish in El Nido, or start in El Nido and finish in Coron.
Big Dream Boat Man tours are a popular option for this adventure.
Private Tour/Boat
If you ask around, you might find it feasible to rent a private boat and guide in Coron for a reasonable rate. You can inquire with hotel staff, check near the pier, or visit tourism offices.
Because of coast guard regulations, departures before 9:00 am aren’t allowed. So, even with a private rental, you won’t reach the popular spots before the crowds. However, you’ll have the freedom to enjoy your time at your own pace and choose your route.
To avoid crowds, consider asking your boat driver to head in the opposite direction of the typical tours.
Private tours often don’t include lunch, so be sure to inquire about that or bring your own.
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links that I may receive a small commission from. This is at no additional cost to you. By clicking and/or booking through affiliate links found on this site you are helping to support this website and helping make it even better.
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