🇵🇭 Philippines · Palawan
The Ultimate Guide to
Coron, Palawan
Sunken Japanese warships, crystal-clear lagoons, prehistoric lakes, and some of the world’s best wreck diving — all in one island.
Section 01
Best Time to Visit Coron
Coron’s weather is strongly seasonal. Timing your visit around the dry season is essential for the best diving visibility and island hopping conditions.
🌞 Dry Season
November – May
Clear skies, calm seas, and excellent underwater visibility (up to 30m). Best for wreck diving, island hopping, and kayaking the lagoons.
✓ Best Time to Visit🌧 Wet Season
June – October
Heavy rains and rough seas can close some dive sites and limit island hopping. Some resorts close. Typhoons possible Aug–Oct.
⚠ Avoid if Possible🏆 Sweet Spot
December – March
Peak dry season with best visibility. Cooler temperatures make diving comfortable. Busiest period — book accommodation well in advance.
✓ Ideal Conditions💸 Value Window
May – early June
Late dry season with fewer tourists, lower prices, and still-good weather before the rains arrive. A smart timing choice.
↗ Good ValueSection 02
How to Get to Coron
✈️ By Air — Via Busuanga Airport (USU)
The most practical option. Direct flights from Manila (1h15m). Take a van or tricycle to Coron town (~45 min).
| Route | Budget | Mid | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manila → Busuanga (Cebu Pacific / AirAsia) | ₱800–₱2,500 | ₱3,000–₱6,000 | ₱7,000+ |
| Airport van to Coron town (~45 min) | ₱150–₱200/person | ₱500–₱800 | ₱1,200+ private |
🚢 By Ferry — From Manila or El Nido
2Go Travel operates overnight ferries from Manila (approx. 12–16 hours). Fast craft from El Nido to Coron also available (4–5 hrs scenic inter-island route). Budget ferry: ₱800–₱2,500 · Fast craft: ₱2,500–₱3,500.
Section 03
Where to Stay in Coron
Most accommodation is in Coron town (convenient for restaurants, dive shops) or on outlying islets like Club Paradise and Two Seasons for more seclusion.
Budget Picks (₱700–₱2,500/night)
🏠 Sea Dive Resort
Clean rooms near the port, dive shop on-site, free breakfast, great value for divers. Social atmosphere.
₱700–₱1,500/night · Coron Town
🏠 Krystal Lodge
Fan and A/C rooms with rooftop views of Coron Bay. Popular with budget backpackers and solo travelers.
₱900–₱2,000/night · Town Center
🏠 Coron Backpacker
Hostel-style dorms and private rooms, communal areas, and social vibe. Steps from major tour booking offices.
₱600–₱1,200/night (dorm)
Mid-Range Picks (₱3,000–₱8,000/night)
🏨 Coron Westown Resort
Swimming pool, restaurant, and comfortable rooms in a central location. Excellent base for tours and diving.
₱3,500–₱6,000/night · Coron Town
🏨 Sunlight Guest Hotel
Hillside hotel with panoramic bay views, pool, and rooms designed around the natural scenery.
₱4,000–₱7,000/night · Hilltop
🏨 Coron Hilltop Hotel
Tiered architecture over the bay, stunning sunrise views, and well-appointed rooms with balconies.
₱4,500–₱8,000/night
Luxury Picks (₱10,000–₱35,000/night)
✨ Club Paradise Palawan
Private island resort on Dimakya Island with pristine house reef for snorkeling, overwater bungalows, and all-inclusive options. One of Palawan’s finest island escapes.
₱15,000–₱35,000/night
✨ Two Seasons Coron Island Resort
Overwater cottages and beachfront villas on a private islet, with exclusive reef access and luxury amenities.
₱12,000–₱28,000/night
✨ Busuanga Bay Lodge
Boutique eco-resort with stunning mangrove and bay views, solar-powered facilities, and personalized service.
₱10,000–₱20,000/night
Section 04
Where to Eat in Coron
🍛 Lolo Nonoy’s
Local Filipino food institution in Coron town. Huge servings of adobo, sinigang, and rice meals at rock-bottom prices.
🦐 Market Seafood Stalls
Fresh catch from the public market cooked to order. Buy by weight, choose your style — grilled, sinigang, or buttered.
🥗 Bayside Bar & Restaurant
Beautiful waterfront setting, Filipino and Western dishes, fresh seafood, and cold San Miguel with a view of the bay.
🍕 Trattoria Altrove
Surprisingly good Italian food in the heart of Coron — handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and a solid wine list.
🌅 Santino’s Grill
Rooftop dining with sweeping views of Coron Bay. Grilled seafood and Filipino specialties in a scenic hilltop setting.
✨ Resort Dining (Club Paradise)
Multi-course Filipino and international cuisine served with sunset views over Dimakya Island’s private beach.
Section 05
Things to Do in Coron
⚓ Wreck Diving (WWII Ships)
Coron is home to 12+ Japanese WWII shipwrecks sunk in 1944. Kogyo Maru, Olympia Maru, Irako — among the world’s best wreck dives. Visibility 15–40m.
₱1,800–₱3,500 per dive · ₱12,000–₱18,000 PADI course
🏝 Island Hopping Tour A & B
Tour A: Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Skeleton Wreck, Coral Garden. Tour B: Siete Pecados, CYC Beach, Lusong Gunboat, Pass Island. Full-day tours with lunch.
₱1,200–₱2,200/person per tour
🌊 Kayangan Lake
The cleanest lake in Asia — crystal-clear water surrounded by dramatic limestone karst cliffs. A 10-minute hike from the boat landing reveals breathtaking views.
₱200 entrance + island hop tour
🏞 Twin Lagoon
Swim through a cave opening to reach a hidden lagoon with warm and cold water layers. One of Coron’s most magical natural experiences.
₱200 entrance + island hop tour
🌋 Mount Tapyas Hike
Climb 723 steps to a giant cross at the summit for panoramic views of Coron town and the bay. Best at sunrise or sunset. Free to visit anytime.
Free
🛶 Maquinit Hot Springs
One of the world’s few saltwater hot springs (39–40°C), just a 10-minute tricycle ride from town. Perfect after a long day of diving.
₱200 entrance · ₱50–₱100 tricycle
🐠 Snorkeling at Siete Pecados
Marine sanctuary with an incredible density of colorful reef fish and coral just minutes from town. Great even for non-divers.
₱100 entrance + boat hire
🌅 Coron Town Tour
Explore the local public market, waterfront, St. Augustine Parish Church, and try street food. Half-day cultural experience on tricycle.
₱300–₱500 tricycle hire
Section 06
Getting Around Coron
🛺 Tricycle
Main town transport. Short trips ₱10–₱50 shared. Hire whole tricycle ₱100–₱300/trip.
🚤 Bangka Boat
For island hopping and dive sites. Charter ₱2,500–₱6,000/day or join group tours.
🛵 Motorbike Rental
Explore Busuanga island independently. ₱500–₱800/day. Roads are decent between major areas.
🦶 Walking
Coron town center is compact and walkable — market, restaurants, and tour offices all within 15 min.
🚐 Van Transfer
Airport to town and back. Shared ₱150–₱200 or private ₱800–₱1,200.
🚢 Fast Craft
Inter-island travel to El Nido (4–5 hrs) or Manila. Operators: 2Go, Montenegro Lines.
Section 07
Sample Itineraries
Day 1
Arrive, check in, sunset at Mount Tapyas. Dinner at Bayside or local carinderia.
Day 2
Island Hopping Tour A: Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Skeleton Wreck, coral gardens.
Day 3
Morning dive or snorkel at Siete Pecados. Maquinit Hot Springs. Depart.
₱4,000–₱15,000/person
Day 1
Arrive, explore Coron town and market, rooftop dinner.
Day 2
Island Hopping Tour A (Kayangan, Twin Lagoon).
Day 3
Wreck diving (2 dives) — Olympia Maru and Irako or Kogyo Maru.
Day 4
Island Hopping Tour B, Maquinit Hot Springs. Depart evening.
₱6,000–₱22,000/person
Days 1–2
PADI Open Water certification dives at protected sites.
Day 3
First wreck dives: Okikawa Maru and Skeleton Wreck.
Day 4
Island Hopping Tour A: Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon.
Day 5
Advanced wreck dives + Maquinit Hot Springs.
Day 6
Leisure morning, market visit, depart.
₱15,000–₱45,000/person
Section 08
Complete Budget Overview
Budget Traveler
₱1,800
estimated per day
Guesthouse · local meals · group island hop · shared transport
Mid-Range
₱5,500
estimated per day
Comfortable hotel · restaurant meals · 1–2 dives · tours
Luxury
₱18,000+
estimated per day
Private island resort · fine dining · private boat charter
📊 Daily Expense Breakdown
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₱600–₱1,500 | ₱3,000–₱6,000 | ₱12,000–₱35,000 |
| Food & Drinks | ₱300–₱600 | ₱800–₱1,800 | ₱2,500–₱6,000 |
| Tours / Diving | ₱600–₱1,200 | ₱1,500–₱3,500 | ₱5,000–₱12,000 |
| Transport | ₱100–₱300 | ₱300–₱800 | ₱1,000–₱3,000 |
| Total Per Day | ₱1,600–₱3,600 | ₱5,600–₱12,100 | ₱20,500–₱56,000 |