Wondering what to see in Coron? This guide highlights popular tourist spots in Coron, Palawan!
They say great things come in small packages, and Coron—being a small town—definitely lives up to the tale. With its dainty rustic charm, majestic views, inviting waters, and abundant marine life, Coron is more than just a tourist destination—it’s home to every thalassophile.
Coron is a first-class municipality in the province of Palawan, located in the eastern part of Busuanga Island. If flying by plane, you will need to book a flight to Busuanga Airport from Manila or Cebu. You can also travel by ferry from Manila, El Nido, and Puerto Princesa. Check out the updated ferry schedules from Manila to Coron, El Nido to Coron, and Puerto Princesa to Coron!
Best Time to Visit Coron
You can visit Coron all year round. However, you might want to avoid the rainy months from June to October. Flights and boat trip cancellations are pretty common around this time due to heavy rains and rough seas. Note that most activities in Coron involve island hopping.
If you want to enjoy Coron, anytime between November and May is optimal. The warm months of March, April, and May are peak travel months, so expect a lot of tourists swarming attractions.
Where to Stay in Coron
The Coron town is home to many resorts, hotels, and restaurants. It’s also the jump-off point for island-hopping tours, so staying within town is best. If you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, here are our top picks for the best accommodations in Coron:
- Tag Resort (Check room rates!)
- Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel (Check room rates!)
- Skylodge Resort (Check room rates!)
- Coron Soleil Garden Resort (Check room rates!)
- Corto del Mar Hotel (Check room rates!)
Here are our top picks for the best tourist attractions in Coron that you should not dare miss!
1. Kayangan Lake
Said to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines, Kayangan Lake is an emerald green, crystal-clear brackish lake. Kayangan Lake is part of Coron Tour A alongside the Blue Lagoon.
The lake is only reachable by a 15-minute boat ride from Coron town, followed by a steep 15-minute uphill climb with approximately 300 steps.
Midway through the hike is the famous picturesque viewpoint that overlooks the majestic view of Coron Bay—with its magnificent stone islets and cliffs surrounded by breathtaking blue waters. This spot is one of the most photographed sceneries in Palawan.
👉Book Coron Tour A (with Kayangan Lake)!👈
The waters of Kayangan Lake is cold and refreshing, perfect for dipping after your ascent and descent. Once you walk closer down the lake, you will be greeted with picture-perfect scenery.
From the water’s surface, you’d see the jagged rocks underneath and the little fishes. It is important to wear life jackets while swimming around the lake because some parts of the water go much deeper, and it’s 70% freshwater, so your body would be less buoyant.
There’s a bamboo walkway half-circling the lake and bamboo rafts available for exploring, with the assistance, of course, of a local guide.
Remember, the lake is an ancestral domain and is sacred to the locals. Treat the place with the utmost respect and courtesy as much as possible.
👉Book Coron Tour A (with Kayangan Lake)!👈
2. Barracuda Lake
With its name, it might sound like this lake is full of barracudas. Not exactly. Only one shy resident barracuda is believed to live among the rocks on the opposite side of the lake.
Barracuda Lake has thermal layers, which means it has layers of cold, warm, and hot water co-exist due to the mixed salt and freshwater. Because of such unique characteristics, plus its amazing jagged cliffs, it’s one of the favorite spots for freedivers.
👉Book Coron Tour B (with Barracuda Lake)!👈
3. Twin Lagoon
It is exactly how it sounds—a pair of crystal-clear turquoise lagoons, brilliant against Coron’s majestic black, jagged karst walls. A very narrow cliff separates the lagoons; you’d know you’re near this partition because a line of other tourists will climb up the wooden steps. During low tides, however, you can simply swim underneath the cliff.
The salty waters are perfect for swimming. However, around April and May, more jellyfish may be in the water than usual, so we recommend wearing a rash guard.
👉Book Coron Island Hopping Speedboat Tour (with Twin Lagoon)!👈
4. Lusong Coral Garden
Get ready to find Nemo! The Lusong Coral Garden is another of the most beautiful snorkeling reefs accessible from Coron. This narrow coral reef borders the southwest coast of Lusong Island, teeming with marine life and steeply dropping into the blue.
Apart from the abundant soft and branching corals, this underwater haven boasts of anemone fish, butterfly fish, angelfish, giant clams, and the ocellaris clownfish.
👉Book Coron Tour D (with Lusong Coral Garden)!👈
5. Calauit Safari
Take a break from swimming and try this dry land adventure in Coron. The Calauit Safari Park covers almost 3800 hectares and is a wildlife sanctuary in the Philippines. It was created in 1976 as a game reserve where large African mammals live.
In the 1980s, more indigenous species were raised, successfully conserving the Calamian deer, Palawan bearded pig, Philippine crocodile, Philippine porcupine, Binturong, and Philippine mouse-deer. The Calamian deer, by the way, is endemic to Palawan and is an endangered species. Thanks to this sanctuary, their population has gravely improved.
Upon arrival, you will be assigned a guide and ride a Land Rover as you tour the land. You will pass by the different animals that roam free within the grounds, feeding, playing, running, and sitting under the shade of trees. It’s definitely the closest African safari feel you can get in the Philippines.
👉Book Coron Calauit Safari Tour!👈
6. Pamalican Island
This island is home to the famous resort of Amanpulo. It’s a 50-hectare private island paradise west of Busuanga graced by Hollywood celebrities like Brad Pitt, Mariah Carey, Tom Cruise, and Beyoncé.
Pamalican Island is not one of the main tours offered in Coron, but it is accessible for booking. The Calauit safari tour usually allows you to make a quick stop on this island after visiting Calauit Safari. The waters of Pamalican are as clear, the sand is as white as the rest of Palawan, and the island is secluded.
👉Book Coron Calauit Safari Tour (with Pamalican Island)!👈
7. Malcapuya Island
Imagine the cloud-like softness of the sands in Boracay but with the perks of a far-off beach—that’s Malcapuya Island. A boat ride to Malcapuya Island directly from Coron town usually takes one hour.
You will be docked on one side of the island, and then you’ll have to take a 5-minute walk to fully enjoy the beachside. The island is sparsely populated, with power only coming from generators.
Vendors sell typical Filipino street snacks such as turon (fried spring roll-wrapped banana), fruit-flavored milkshakes, and fresh buko (young coconut) juice. Bring enough cash!
👉Book Coron Tour C (with Malcapuya Island)!👈
8. Banana Island
Contrary to its name, there are a whole lot more coconuts than bananas on this island. The latter was locally nicknamed after its subtle S-shape, which, from above, looks like a banana.
The island has a short but white-sand beach where you can laze around and chill on hammocks hanging between coconut trees. The waters are a bit deeper than many island stops in Coron, and there’s a coral reef nearby, so it’s a great snorkeling spot. A little shop on the island sells food and drinks if you’re hungry or thirsty.
👉Book Coron Island Escapade Tour!👈
9. Siete Pecados
Translated to “Seven Sins,” this tourist attraction in Coron is popular for snorkeling and freediving due to its abundant marine life. Underneath the dots of islands are coral reefs filled with a wide variety of fish and other sea creatures, such as sea turtles, octopi, and even little sharks.
In September 2022, the provincial government recognized the Siete Pecados Marine Park as the best-managed marine protected (MPA) area in Palawan. If you want to see Coron’s underwater wonders, Siete Pecados should be on your itinerary!
👉Book Coron Super Ultimate Tour!👈
10. Coron Mangrove Forest
If you’ve seen the Disney movie Moana, you probably remember how her grandmother returned as a manta ray and lit the waters in brilliant blue lights. That is what’s waiting for you at the Coron Mangrove Forest, the largest mangrove forest in Coron.
A number of local tours host a firefly-watching activity at the Coron Mangrove Forest, where you can see thousands of beaming fireflies lighting the area magnificently. And if that’s not magical enough for you, wait until you see the bioluminescent algae.
The tour starts around 5 PM, and the guides will take you around the mangrove forest. After the activity, guests will be treated to a sumptuous dinner at the Pang-Eat Firefly Floating Resto.
👉Book Coron Island Private Yacht Tour!👈
Your Complete Coron Travel Guide
Our list is just the tip of the iceberg. Coron has more to offer, so be sure to open yourself to more adventures. We assure you you can never get enough of this little rustic island paradise.
If you’re still preparing for your trip to Coron, read our range of travel guides:
- Coron Travel Guide
- How to Get to Coron
- Manila to Coron Ferry Schedule
- Coron to El Nido Ferry Schedule
- Puerto Princesa to Coron Ferry Schedule
- Best Resorts in Coron
- Best Hostels in Coron
- Coron Super Ultimate Tour
- Best Things to Do in Coron
Got more questions about traveling to Palawan? Drop them in the comments!
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