The Best Snorkeling in Coron: Siete Pecados Marine Park
Siete Pecados: Coron’s Hidden Gem
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Siete Pecados Marine Park, a true underwater paradise near Coron in Palawan, Philippines. With its crystal-clear waters and unparalleled visibility, this destination is a must-visit for snorkelers looking to explore the vibrant marine life of the Palawan region.
If you want to experience the best snorkeling in Coron while avoiding the crowds, this is the hidden gem you are looking for!
Siete Pecados is renowned for its stunning coral formations, featuring a variety of species like massive table corals, delicate fan corals, and intricate branching corals. These lush coral gardens create a thriving ecosystem, providing sanctuary for an array of colorful marine creatures, from schools of tropical fish to graceful sea turtles.
Whether you’re a seasoned or a first-time snorkeler, this marine wonderland promises an unforgettable adventure beneath the waves.
How to Get to Siete Pecados?
To visit Siete Pecados Marine Park, you’ll need to first stop by the Siete Pecados Tourist Information Office.
📍Look for the Siete Pecados Tourist Information Office on Google maps for directions to get there.
At this office can pay the entry fee, arrange a boat, kayak, snorkel rentals, and get guidance for your trip.
Please note that while Siete Pecados Marine Park is also marked on Google Maps, the pin is situated in the water, which may lead to inaccurate directions.
Therefore, it’s advisable to use the Tourist Information Office as your starting point. From there, local guides can assist you in reaching the marine park safely and efficiently.
Siete Pecados is located down the same road as to reach Maquinit Hot Springs, so if you know how to get to the hot springs, just drive in that direction until you see the sign on the right hand side of the road.
The ride typically takes about 20 to 25 minutes from town over bumpy dirt roads.
You can also hire a tricycle from Coron town. It’s advisable to negotiate with the driver to wait for you, as finding a return tricycle in the area can be challenging.
The average cost for a round-trip, including a one-hour wait, ranges from PHP 600 to PHP 800. If you require the driver to wait longer, expect to pay an additional PHP 100 per hour.
What are the costs at Siete Pecados?
The total cost to visit Siete Pecados Marine Park is ₱300 per person (approx. $7 CAD or $5 USD), which covers:
- Boat/Kayak Rental: ₱200 per person for either a kayak or a small boat with a guide.
- Environmental Fee: ₱100 per person.
If you opt for the boat option, it includes a captain/tour guide who will take you to the reef. The small boats holds only two-four people and the tour lasts around two hours, with life vests provided for safety.
Additional Gear: Snorkel and mask rentals are available for an extra ₱100 pesos ($2.39 CAD or $1.71 USD)
Alternatively, kayaks are available, allowing you to explore the islets at your own pace and get up close to the unique formations.
For those who enjoy exploring independently, the kayak option is ideal, offering flexibility and a personalized adventure around the islets.
We chose the kayak option ourselves!
Kayaking, Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Siete Pecados
Kayaking
Renting a kayak is a fantastic way to explore Siete Pecados!
It only takes about 5-10 minutes to paddle over to the islets, allowing you to get close to the beautiful coral formations and marine life.
To protect these delicate ecosystems, boats must use designated buoys instead of dropping anchors, preserving the pristine underwater landscape. So renting a kayaking allows you to get closer to the islets.
Snorkeling
In my opinion, Siete Pecados offers the best snorkeling experience in Coron.
The coral is vibrant and well-preserved, creating an ideal environment for both seasoned snorkelers and beginners. The water isn’t too deep, allowing you to see an abundance of marine life right from the surface—no deep dives required!
Scuba Diving:
While you can scuba dive at Siete Pecados, the shallow waters mean you’ll get an amazing view with just a snorkel.
If you’re on a budget or looking to maximize your scuba experience, save it for Coron’s more dramatic dive sites, like the famous wreck dives.
At Siete Pecados, snorkeling gives you more than enough access to the area’s beauty.
What can I see at Siete Pecados?
Vibrant Coral Gardens
The coral reefs at Siete Pecados are a colorful tapestry of diverse coral species, each bringing a unique shape and structure to this underwater landscape:
– Brain Corals: Recognizable by their ridged, maze-like patterns, brain corals add a stony, intricate touch to the reef.
– Staghorn Corals: Delicate and branch-like, these corals are essential to the reef ecosystem, providing shelter for many marine species.
– Table Corals: Flat and sprawling, these corals create natural “tables” that serve as habitat for a variety of marine life.
– Mushroom Corals: These solitary corals, resembling mushrooms, dot the seabed, adding character to the reef floor.
– Tube Corals: Known for their cylindrical, often branching tubes, these corals thrive in shallow waters.
– Fan Corals and Sea Whips: With their delicate, fan-like branches, these corals add a graceful flow, especially in areas with strong currents.
Colorful Reef Fish
Beneath the surface, Siete Pecados teems with vibrant fish species. Here are some of the most commonly spotted:
– Clown Fish: These playful “Nemo” fish are easy to spot with their orange bodies and white stripes.
– Parrotfish: Known for their beak-like mouths, these colorful fish play an important role in reef health.
– Surgeonfish and Tangs: Distinguished by their bright colors and sharp spines, these fish are a lively addition to the coral scene.
– Butterflyfish: With intricate patterns and slender, flattened bodies, these tropical fish glide gracefully through the water.
– Lionfish: Striking and venomous, lionfish stand out with their bold red, white, and black stripes and long spines.
– Damsels, Angelfish, and Groupers: From the small and feisty damselfish to the large, predatory groupers, the fish variety is endless.
Other Marine Creatures
Beyond the corals and reef fish, Siete Pecados offers glimpses of other fascinating marine life:
– Sea Turtles: Occasionally spotted gliding through the water, these gentle giants add a touch of magic to any dive.
– Sea Cucumbers and Starfish: Resting on the sandy seabed, these creatures bring unique shapes and textures to the underwater landscape.
– Sea Urchins: Beautiful but spiky, these urchins are best admired from a distance to avoid their sharp spines.
When is the best time to visit Siete Pecados?
The best time to visit Siete Pecados is during the dry season, from November to May, when sea conditions are calm and visibility is at its peak—perfect for snorkeling and diving.
However, the park remains accessible year-round, and visiting during the rainy season offers its own charm, with even fewer tourists and vibrant, lush greenery surrounding the islets.
When we visited Siete Pecados in the mid-afternoon in January, we were pleasantly surprised by how uncrowded it was!
The day before, we’d done the Coron Ultimate Tour and found ourselves surrounded by other tourists at every stop. But here, at Siete Pecados, it felt like we had the place almost to ourselves.
The peaceful atmosphere and freedom to explore at our own pace made it our best snorkeling experience in Coron, especially after the busy crowds we’d experienced the day before.
Accidents happen, make sure you are covered for all your adventures!
Should I book a tour to visit Siete Pecados?
Unlike many other tourist spots in the area, most major day tours don’t include Siete Pecados in their itineraries, so it sees far fewer visitors, making it a peaceful escape from the crowds.
Some larger day trips do include a stop here, but if you prefer a more flexible experience, going independently is highly recommended!
When you arrive at the visitor information center, boats and kayaks are available, allowing you to explore at your own pace.
There’s no need for reservations; simply show up, and there’s usually little to no wait time. This way, you can fully enjoy the beauty of Siete Pecados at your leisure.
Siete Pecados Quick Guide:
Why visit? Siete Pecados offers the best snorkeling in Coron!
Price: ₱300 per person for entry (approx. $7 CAD or $5 USD) + ₱100 pesos for snorkel and mask rentals ($2.39 CAD or $1.71 USD)
Location: 📍 Siete Pecados Tourist Information Office
Time: Arrive anytime! No reservations required
Duration: 2 hours for boat tour, unlimited time for kayaks
Bathroom Facilities: None available
Notes: Ask the information center about getting a coconut after you’re done!
The Legend of Siete Pecados
The story behind Siete Pecados Marine Park is steeped in local legend, adding a sense of mystery and depth to this natural wonder. While the details may vary slightly depending on who recounts it, the heart of the tale remains consistent.
Once upon a time, in a coastal village, there lived a devoted mother and her seven beautiful daughters, each known for her unique charm and beauty. The sisters were the pride of their community and loved swimming in the sea. Despite their mother’s repeated warnings to stay close to shore, their adventurous spirits often led them into deeper waters.
One day, against their mother’s wishes, the seven sisters slipped away to swim far out into the sea. As they ventured farther, they were caught in a powerful current and, despite their desperate efforts, couldn’t make it back to shore.
Heartbroken, their mother prayed fervently for their safe return, pleading with the sea to spare her daughters. The following morning, the villagers awoke to find seven small islets near the shore, precisely where the sisters had last been seen. The locals believed these islands were the transformed bodies of the seven sisters, a divine response to their mother’s heartfelt prayers.
These islets became known as “Siete Pecados,” meaning “Seven Sins” in English, symbolizing the disobedience that led to their transformation. Over time, the name also came to represent the seven deadly sins, as the jagged formations of each islet were thought to embody the nature of the sins themselves.
Today, Siete Pecados is celebrated not only for its vibrant marine life and coral reefs but also as a place where the legend of the seven sisters lives on.
This blend of folklore and natural beauty creates an unforgettable experience for visitors, making Siete Pecados a site of both wonder and cultural significance.
Siete Pecados & Marine Conservation
Siete Pecados was established to conserve and protect the coastal ecosystems of Coron, particularly from the impacts of overfishing.
Covering 1.8 km2 of coastal ocean, Siete Pecados protects coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows and is home to several threatened and endangered species including hawksbill sea turtles, dugongs, humphead wrasse, and an endangered endemic coral species, Pectinia maxima.
It’s essential for visitors to practice responsible tourism by avoiding contact with corals and marine life and by not littering.
What to Pack for Siete Pecados?
Essentials:
Waterproof bag/backpack
Quick Dry Towel
Water Shoes
Sunscreen
Hat
Sunglasses
Drinking Water
Extra Cash
I highly recommend a dry bag 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
If you are looking for the best snorkeling in Coron, Siete Pecados is the place to go!
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