Palawan, Calamian Islands · Philippines
Sunken Japanese warships, crystal freshwater lakes, hot springs and limestone islands, in the Calamian archipelago north of Palawan.
Photo: Lyndon Aguila · CC BY-SA 4.0
Coron is a town on Busuanga Island in the Calamian Islands, north of Palawan, and the base for a spectacular area of steep limestone islands, lakes and reefs. In September 1944, a US Navy air attack sank a fleet of Japanese supply ships in Coron Bay, and about a dozen wrecks now lie at depths of 10 to 40 metres, making it one of the best wreck-diving destinations in the world.
Above water, the highlights are Kayangan Lake, often called the cleanest lake in Asia, a brackish lake in a crater ringed by cliffs, and Barracuda Lake, where a thermocline makes the water suddenly warm. Twin Lagoon is two lagoons separated by a rock, and you swim through a gap from one to the other. There are also snorkelling reefs, beaches, and the Maquinit hot springs, a saltwater pool heated by geothermal activity.
The town has a busy waterfront and a viewpoint at Mount Tapyas reached by 700 steps. Most visitors spend three days on island tours, dives and relaxation, and many combine Coron with El Nido by ferry. Note that much of the area belongs to the Tagbanua people, who manage several sites, and fees support their ancestral domain.
Why visit
Coron combines world-class diving with beautiful lakes and lagoons.
A fleet on the seabed.
Clear and beautiful.
Swim between two lagoons.
Maquinit.
A small, friendly town.
Main attractions
Boat tours cover most of the sights.
A crater lake reached by a short climb, with clear water and limestone walls, and a swimming platform.
Tip Go early.
Two lagoons connected through a narrow gap, with warm and cool layers of water.
Tip Time for low tide.
The islands of the bay are steep karst formations.
Tip Take a boat at sunrise.
Wrecks such as the Akitsushima and Kogyo Maru, for divers.
Tip Use a licensed dive centre.
A seaside hot spring, best at sunset.
Tip Go in the evening.
A hill with a giant cross and views over the town.
Tip Climb at sunrise.
Things to do
Coron is about water.
Kayangan, Twin Lagoon and beaches.
Tip Book small groups.
Explore sunk ships.
Tip Book with a certified centre.
A coral reef.
Tip Bring your own mask.
Hot springs.
Tip Go at sunset.
700 steps.
Tip Go at dawn.
Warm water thermocline.
Tip Not for weak swimmers.
Local food
Coron's food is seafood and local Palawan dishes.
Fresh catches.
Where to try it Waterfront restaurants.
Ceviche-style raw fish.
Where to try it Restaurants.
Palawan's cashews.
Where to try it Shops.
A local shipworm delicacy.
Where to try it Adventurous eaters.
Shaved-ice dessert.
Where to try it Cafés.
Accommodation
Stay in Coron town or on an island.
Transport
Coron is reached by air or ferry.
Tricycles and boats.
When to go
The dry season is best.
Dry and calm.
Hot and clear.
Rain.
Typhoons possible.
Worth planning around: The rainy season.
Itinerary
Lakes, wrecks and springs.
Town.
Lakes.
Diving.
Travel tips
A few tips help you plan.
FAQ
Three.
Yes, for wrecks.
Fly to Busuanga or take a ferry.
Yes.
December to May.
Less than El Nido.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Coron, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Palawan, western Philippines, Philippines
A small Palawan town at the edge of Bacuit Bay, the base for island-hopping tours to the Big and Small Lagoons, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Nacpan Beach.
Don't miss Paddling a kayak through the narrow entrance of the Secret Lagoon into a hidden pool ringed by cliffs.
Explore Destination — El NidoPalawan, western Philippines, Philippines
Palawan's gateway city, and the base for the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, plus Honda Bay island hopping, firefly watching and city tours.
Don't miss Paddling in near darkness through the vast chambers of the Puerto Princesa Underground River, lit only by your guide's lamp.
Explore Destination — Puerto Princesa and the Underground RiverCentral Visayas, Philippines
A long island and a city with Magellan's Cross and the Basilica del Santo Niño, plus Moalboal's sardine run, Kawasan Falls canyoneering, Oslob and Malapascua.
Don't miss Snorkelling in the middle of a swirling ball of millions of sardines at Moalboal.
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