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2024 Update: Private Boat Tours in Coron Through CTBA (Calamian Tour Boat Association)

E xploring the islands of Coron through a private tour is the best way to see the beauty Coron has to offer. If you’re paying for a private tour we recommend avoiding the major tourist destinations and spending a relaxing day exploring the less visited, more distant islands and beaches of Coron. Usually 3 island are enough for one day of beaching, snorkeling and relaxing.

The best and recommended way to arrange a private tour island hopping through Coron is through the CTBA (Calamian Tour Boat Association). This may also be your cheapest option.

Here is a sample cost breakdown.

As you can see from the table above the price of a private tour is pretty reasonable.

You *might* be able to find a cheaper price by asking around but we recommend the CTBA for their reliability.

Note: The farther out you go the less tourists will be around.

Try to leave as early as you can in the morning. We recommend leaving around 8:00am but all boats must wait for coast guard approval which is usually 8:00am-9:00am.

Most tours start at 8:00am and return back to Coron Harbor at 5:00pm. Expect to spend your entire day out on the sea so take everything you will need for the day.

2024  CALAMIAN TOURIST BOAT ASSOCIATION PRIVATE TOUR RATES (All Prices Are Total For The Group Not Per Pax)

Note: Additional P500 for Tour Guide, P0-200 Island Entrance Fee per island per person. Note: Bring your own Food and Drinks and the chef on the boat will prepare your meal for you !

2024  CORON ISLANDS RATINGS

Note: Green = Recommended Stops

SO WHICH ISLANDS SHOULD YOU VISIT?

We’ve put together some sample custom itinineraries.

Black Island Tour

SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS IN CORON

Malajon Island (Black Island) Pamalican Island (and surrounding Islands) North Cay (Nagtenga/Pagtenga Island) South Cay (Nagbinet/Pagbinet Island)

(Pick Three of these Islands)

PRIVATE BEACH GALORE IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAY

Pamalican Island (and surrounding Islands) North Cay (Nagtenga/Pagtenga Island) South Cay (Nagbinet/Pagbinet Island) Maltatayoc Island

PICK YOUR OWN ISLANDS (

[FARTHEST FROM CORON TOWN] Malajon Island (Black Island)

Panlaitain (Talampulan) Island Debotunay Island Mapadolo Island

Pamalican Island (and surrounding Islands) North Cay (Nagtenga/Pagtenga Island) South Cay (Nagbinet/Pagbinet Island) Maltatayoc Island Diciligan (Malaki) Island

Popototan Island Maglalambay Island Galoc Island

Mangenguey Island North Malbinchilao Island South Malbinchilao Island Depelengued Island Rat Island

Malcatop Island East Malcatop Island

Dicoayan Island Calumboyan Island

Dicalatan Island (Pass Island) [CLOSEST TO CORON TOWN]

Share Your Experience

How did your Private Tour on Coron go? Did you use the Calamian Tour Boat Association (CTBA)? Did you use a different company? Any tips to share? Leave your comments below and we would love to hear about your experience.

Gopal is a cofounder of wanderasm. His love of travel has led him to wander around the world to over 100+ countries. The best advice he ever got was that "It's not how long you live; It's how you choose to live your life." Gopal's goal in wanderasm is to share his love of travelling while improving awareness of things we can all do to make the world more beautiful. You can follow him on instagram at @rungopal

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Ms. Stacy Wilkinson

March 15, 2018.

Private tours are the best! GO at your own pace!

Ryan Schiller

May 19, 2018.

CTBA was a bit pricey but worth it!

Lou Gusikowski

June 22, 2018.

I used teh CTBA too. Cant wait to go again.

Euna Nikolaus

June 29, 2018.

August 24, 2018

Thank you very useful post !

Miss Ellen Bergnaum

October 11, 2018.

Cant wait for my trip to Coron !

October 15, 2018

We used the CTBA as well and loved them.

Brielle Gleichner

November 12, 2018.

CTBA was reliable.

Dr. Shaylee Kutch Jr.

January 6, 2019.

CTBA is reliable. We used them too.

Christopher

January 17, 2019.

Quick question, are the prices per pax, or for the whole group? Say our group is composed of 12 people and we want to explore Dibatok island, will that cost us PhP 5,450.00 per head or PhP 5,450.00 as a group of 12?

January 22, 2019

Hi Christopher. I’ll clarify the table heading. So Dibatok with anywhere between 9-15 people will be PHP5450 for the group (just for the boat) regardless if its 9 pax or 15 pax. Enjoy your trip !

Elijah Gibson

March 12, 2019.

+1 On the reliability of the CTBA

March 15, 2019

Hi, I’m trying to book a private boat ahead of time but can’t seem to find a way to contact the CTBA. tried calling +63 920 403 7965 but no one ever picks up. Does anyone have an email or some alternate way to contact them?

March 16, 2019

Try contacting Joy directly through his facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/cirilojoy I met him at the CTBA and he works there. Agree that phone/email isnt a reliable way to get in touch with the CTBA. You can also go directly to the CTBA when you arrive to Coron and arrange for your tour the following day. This is what we did (during high season). Let us know how things go !

Jamir Bogan

May 30, 2019.

We will contact them ahead of time to plan our trip.

July 10, 2019

I’m going to book a private tour. It’s going to be 3 people. What do you typically tip for the guide and the crew?

July 21, 2019

Quite honestly its whatever you think is reasonable and what they deserve. Perhaps 10-15% is a good start. It’s not a lot of money for travelers from countries that have a favorable exchange rate but can mean a wold of difference for locals.

How much would it cost a group of 6 to go to Black Island?

August 22, 2019

Hi, if we are 8 in a group, we’d have to pay the boat fee, tour guide fee of 500 and then an additional 0-200 fee per person per island? So if we choose 5 islands, that’s going to be an extra 8,000 right?

August 23, 2019

Yes! 5 Islands X 200PHP Entrance Fee Per Person (Maximimum) x 8 People = 8000PHP (Maximum)

Some islands have an entrance fee of 0 PHP so the range will be 0 to 8000PHP in island entrance fees.

5 Islands in one day is ambitious !

September 19, 2019

I will be in Coron in December 2019. If anyone wants to join a group of 2 for a private tour just let me know ! Thank you wanderasm !

ARTHUR PEREIRA ALMEIDA

February 29, 2020.

We will be in Coron between 26 and 28 March. We are looking for a couple to do the tours. If someone is on the same date.

March 5, 2020

Your best option will be ask other tourists when you get to Coron or try asking in the Facebook Philippines Backpacker groups ie.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PhilippinesBackpackerTraveler/

Hope that helps. Best, Gopal (Wanderasm Moderator)

Kamren Bahringer

January 6, 2024.

Cant wait to use them in Coron.

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Boat Tours in Coron – A Guide to Island Hopping in Coron

• February 21, 2021
• One Comment

Encompassed by a number of picture-perfect islands, Island Hopping in Coron is the number 1 thing to do. However, with so many boat tours in Coron to choose from, how do you pick the right one for you? That’s where we come in. This is our ultimate guide to Island Hopping in Coron.

When it comes to Island Hopping in Coron, you’ll find that most of the boat tours take place around Coron Island. That’s the mysterious, jawdropping, ‘King Kong’ looking island that is impossible to miss from Coron Town.

Coron Island is the easiest island to reach by boat tour in Coron. It also boasts a series of turquoise lagoons, enchanting lakes and pristine beaches, so you can see the appeal. However, with Island Hopping in Coron becoming increasingly popular over the years, this spot can get extremely crowded during peak times.

The good news is , we have done a lot of Island Hopping in Coron and there is far more to discover past Coron Island. In this article, we will share the details of our 5 favourite tour experiences, that allows you to discover one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines . We’ll also share our top tips for escaping the crowds at popular locations.

Whether you are feeling adventurous, looking to explore the unexplored, or even get involved in a booze cruise, we have got you covered. So let’s get to it.

Heading to Coron?  Check out these articles to help plan your trip:

• The Best Restaurants in Coron, Philippines
• 21 Unmissable Tourist Spots in Coron
• A Guide To Black Island in Coron (Malajon Island)
• How to find the Abandoned Sea Plane in Coron

A Guide to Island Hopping Boat Tours in Coron, Palawan

*Before You Travel to Coron, have you got your travel insurance sorted?  Cover yourself for the unexpected. Read why you really need travel insurance , or get a quick quote from world nomads .

*Have you got your travel Visa sorted? Check if  you need one here  and retrieve a quote. It’s simple, fast and reliable.

*Don’t leave home without any  backpacker essentials  with our free printable packing list.

1. The Ultimate Island Hopping Boat Tour in Coron

On this adventurous tour, you will visit the most popular spots on Coron island.  You will swim in blue lagoons, snorkel among a shipwreck, and hike to an epic viewpoint.  Every tour organiser will offer a version of the ultimate tour, and although the locations and order may vary slightly, this is what a typical itinerary looks like.

• 8.30am – Pick Up from Hotel
• 9.30am – Boat Departs

Siete Pecados

Kayangan lake.

• Twin Lagoon
• Smith Beach – Lunch

Skeleton Wreck

• 5.00pm – Arrive back at port

Kayangan Lake is one of the most famous locations on the Ultimate Island Hopping Boat Tours, and not without good reason. Here you can dive into a crystal clear freshwater lake, encompassed by beautiful limestone formations both above and below the water. Honestly, it’s one of the most beautiful locations in South East Asia and very well looked after by locals and tourists alike. Let’s hope it stays that way.

Siete Pecados is one of the most popular snorkelling spots in Coron. Its name translates to “Seven Sins,” and legend has it that seven sisters once drowned here, forming the seven islets you see today. When we snorkelled here 2 years ago, the area was teaming with tropical marine life and healthy coral reef. Although, I’ve heard some negative reviews recently that a lot of the coral is damaged from boats and tourists. Nevertheless, be wary of jellyfish and sea snakes in these parts – Charlotte was stung here. But would we do it again? Absolutely!

Twin Lagoon Coron

Next up on the Ultimate Tour is Twin Lagoon – another breathtaking swimming spots made up of 2 dazzling lagoons. A narrow tunnel connects the two lagoons, and it feels quite adventurous passing through. There are also fewer people in the second lagoon, so if you’re confident in the water I definitely recommend you check it out.

Skeleton Wreck is one of the coolest spots to explore on an island hopping tour in Coron. Here you’ll find a 25m long Japanese ship that was hit by an airstrike during WWII. The highest point of the ship sits at just 5 metres below the surface, so you can easily see it by snorkelling. Or the freedivers among you can dive down to get a closer look. The entire wreck is encrusted in coral, so you’ll get an eyeful of some beautiful fish at the same time.

Your final stop on the Ultimate Boat Tour Coron will generally be on CYC Beach, or another of the pristine beaches surrounding Coron Island. Either way, it’s the perfect end to a day of adventurous island hopping, where you can relax and reflect on the day.

Is the Ultimate Island Hopping Tour for me?  

The Ultimate Island Hopping in Coron tour is a great choice for anybody who may have limited time in Coron and wants to tick off all of the popular spots.  It is also suited for adventurous travellers who enjoy being active.

The tour isn’t for you if you are looking for a relaxing experience away from the crowds.  It is a full-on day of moving from place to place, and each stop tends to be very busy.

Furthermore, if you are an Instagrammer and what to bag some shots for the ‘gram, this tour is definitely not for you either. To avoid the crowds you can organise a private boat tour which I cover further on down the article.

How much does the Ultimate Tour cost?

The price varies depending on the tour company; however, you shouldn’t have to pay any more than 1500PHP/pax.  This should include a buffet lunch & use of snorkelling equipment, so be sure to check this in advance.

*Tip – We recommend hiring a private boat to beat the crowds! Read our section on private Island Hopping Boat Tours in Coron below.

2. Island Escapade Island Hopping Boat Tour Coron

A far more laidback experience in comparison to the ultimate, the Island Escapade island Hopping Tour includes a visit to 3 of the most beautiful islands within the Coron archipelago.  We absolutely loved this tour as we had never seen such immaculate beaches in our lives at this point. It was also far less busy than the Ultimate Tour, with fewer boats at each of the stops.

Admittedly, we spent quite a long time on the boat moving from island to island on this tour; however, we enjoyed kicking back and taking in the astonishing views.  Besides, it’s not a bad life cruising around on a boat, is it?

Although most tour companies will offer their own version of the tour, here is an example of what the itinerary will look like.

• 8.00am – Collection from hotel
• 9.00am – Depart from port
• 10.30am – Arrive at Bulog Island/Sandbar
• 12.30pm – Arrive at Coco or Banana Island – Lunch
• 2.30pm – Arrive at Malcapuya Island
• 5.30pm – Arrive back at port

Bulog Island Sandbar

The first stop on our Island Escapade Tour was the mesmerising Bulog Island sandbar. A sandbar was another first for us, and boy, we weren’t disappointed. Thankfully, we were the first to arrive before any of the other boats. We strolled hand in hand along the dazzling white sand bar snaking through turquoise waters like we were the only people in the world. It’s one of those places that makes you wonder how nature could possibly be so beautiful. There’s also a viewpoint on the actual island which is worth a climb too.

Banana or Coco Island for Lunch

After spending some time on Bulog Island, you’ll take the short journey to Banana Island or Coco Island for lunch. I don’t think it matters which one. Both are equally beautiful. But we can personally vouch for Banana Island which was possibly one of the most stunning lunch views we’ve ever had. Our guides prepared a delicious feast for us including seafood, veggies, fruit and other treats.

Malcapuya Island

After lunch, we made our way to Malcapuya Island, which we both agreed is one of the highlights from all our time Island hopping in Coron. Picture a palm-fringed white sand beach, nestling dazzling clear waters, and you’ll get an idea of how idyllic this beach. Combine that with the fact it’s almost secluded, and you have right there, the epitome of Paradise.

Is the Island Escapade Tour for me?

If you want a taste of ‘real’ island hopping in Coron, it doesn’t get much better than this!  The islands on this tour are exactly what you envision when you think of the Philippines … Paradise.  Therefore, if you’re a sun worshipper seeking a chilled out day on the beach (or 3), this tour is for you.

This tour isn’t for you if you are looking for something a little more adventurous.  Other than relaxing on the beaches and the boat, you won’t find much else to do on the islands.

How much does the Island Escapade tour cost?

Price varies depending on the company; however, if you shop around, you shouldn’t have to pay anymore than 1800PHP/pax.  This should include a buffet lunch & use of snorkelling equipment so be sure to check this in advance.

Tip – We recommend hiring a private boat to beat the crowds! Read our private boat tour section below.

3. Black Island Boat Tour in Coron

The most spectacular in all of Coron and our favourite island by far cannot currently be reached by an organised tour. Black Island is so incredibly pristine and untouched that we were in two minds whether to tell anybody about it. BUT we love you guys, and we know you will respect the island, so here we are.

Have you ever heard the saying that the toughest of roads lead to the most beautiful destinations?  Well, Black Island is proof that it’s true.  From the tremendous black cliffs that dominate the landscape to the world-class snorkelling among flourishing marine life, everything about the island is truly extraordinary; however, you should be prepared to go out of your way in order to get there.

To learn more about this incredible island, and the details of how to get there, be sure to check out our article: A Guide to Black Island in The Philippines

4. Hop Hostel Groove Crewz Boat Tour in Coron

To enjoy your slice of paradise with some good tunes, cold beers, and new friends, join Hop Hostel on their infamous ‘ Groove Crewz ‘.  The resident ‘ sea-hopper ‘ will whisk you away to a beautiful secluded spot, while the DJ pumps feel-good tunes through the groundbreaking sound system.

With the sun shining, the drinks flowing, and paradise awaiting, you are guaranteed a fantastic time.  For details on how to make a booking, you can message the team on Instagram @groovecrewz . Tell them we sent you and they’ll definitely hook you up!

5. Private Island Hopping Boat Tours in Coron

Island Hopping Boat Tours in Coron has become increasingly popular in the past couple of years; therefore the organised tours can be very busy.  

We personally preferred to hire a private boat, especially for the busier islands.  This allowed us to leave earlier in the morning to miss the crowds, and we could pick and choose the locations we wanted to visit.  

If you can find a group of 4-6 people, we found it to be very cost-effective. You only need to ask around at your hotel or hostel and you can quickly make up the numbers.

How to Book a Private Island Hopping Boat Tour in Coron

To book a private boat tour in Coron couldn’t be any easier.   If you walk toward the boat port in Coron Town, you will be inundated with offers from local boat owners.  However, we personally recommend using the official office listed as ‘ CALAMIAN TOURIST BOAT ASSOCIATION ’ on google maps.

How Much is a Private Island Hopping Boat Tour in Coron?

The price of the boat will depend on the locations you want to go to and how many people are in your group; however, we have attached an image of the rates card below so you can get a rough idea.  

You will also need to consider entrance fees for most locations on top of the price of the boat, which is included in the price when you book an organised tour. Further down I list the entrance fees for the most popular locations so you can get an idea of how much your tour will cost in total.

You should also bear in mind that lunch and snorkelling equipment is not included with private boat tours unless you pre-organise with the captain.  There are, however, plenty of places by the pier where you can pick up everything you need.

Entrance Fees for Private Island Hopping in Coron

Remember you’ll need to pay each entrance fee on the day of your tour, so be sure to have the cash on your otherwise you won’t be able to enter.

How to Book an Island Hopping Boat Tour in Coron

To book an island-hopping boat tour in Coron, you can organise through the dozens of tour operators in Coron Town.  Alternatively, you can sometimes organise through your hotel or hostel.  It does, however, pay to shop around in order to get the best price.

What do I Need to Bring?

1. reusable water bottle.

It is no secret that single-use plastic is causing irreversible damage to our ecosystems, it is therefore imperative that as travellers, we try to minimise our consumption as much as possible.

We always carry a reusable water bottle and you will find that most hotels or hostels have a refill station.  Not only is it better for the planet but you’ll save cash too!

We Recommend: Stainless steel Insulated Water Bottles

2. Versatile Walking Shoes

When going on any backpacking adventure, we always carry some versatile walking shoes with us.  We personally love the 2 in 1 shoes by  Aleader  as not only can we wear them hiking, but they act as water shoes too!

We Recommend:   Aleader 2 in 1 Hik ing Shoes .

3. Go Pro Adventure Kit

If you want an action camera that is durable and safe to take in the water, then look no further than the Go Pro.  Small, lightweight, and easy to handle, you really ought to carry one of these with you on any backpacking adventure. Check out  our full photography travel kit.

4. Quick Dry Microfiber Towel

We Recommend:  Microfiber Travel Towel

5. Waterproof Bag

To keep your phone, camera, and any other electricals safe and dry.

We Recommend:  Waterproof Dry Bag-10L/20L/30L

  Responsible Island Hopping in Coron

It should go without saying; however, when enjoying your boat tour in Coron,  it’s important to be mindful of the environment .  It is no secret that some of our planets fragile ecosystems are at risk of extinction.

There are many small steps you can take to becoming a  responsible traveller.   In the meantime, here are some tips for your boat tour.

• Be careful with any rubbish that it doesn’t fly overboard.  Keep it secure until you can dispose of it properly.
• Do not leave anything on the islands, or take anything away – unless you’ve purchased it from a local supplier.
• Wear  Reef Safe Sunscreen.
• Try to avoid touching coral, marine life or anything underwater… unless it’s plastic, help keep our oceans clean.

Where to Stay in Coron

Hostel – Hop Hostel – Hop Hostel isn’t only the best hostel in Coron, it is the best hostel we’ve stayed in throughout our entire travels.  The dorm beds are more comfortable then our bed was at home and the facilities are top-notch!  Another highlight is the rooftop bar boasting the best sunset view in town.

Budget Private – Ecocio Eco Hostel – If you don’t mind simple accommodation, Ecocio Eco Hostel offers super cheap private rooms in the heart of Coron Town.  This eco-resort boasts a garden, private hammocks, and a bbq area.

Luxury – Sophia’s Garden Resort – For a touch of luxury in Coron, Sophia’s Garden is our top choice.  Our friends treated us to a couple of nights here for my birthday and we loved the onsite swimming pool and restaurant!

For more places to stay in Coron, you can  check the latest prices HERE .

If you plan to continue your travels in the Philippines, you’ll want to check out this 3 week Philippines itinerary .

More on Philippines

Planning a trip to the Philippines? Check out some of our other articles to help plan your trip:

• ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE TO EL NIDO
• ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE TO BORACAY
• 8 ADVENTUROUS THINGS TO DO IN LEGAZPI, PHILIPPINES
• ETHICALLY SWIM WITH WHALE SHARKS IN DONSOL
• A SIMPLE GUIDE TO THE PHILIPPINES

Did you enjoy our guide to island hopping boat tours in Coron in Coron, Palawan?

Let us know . That concludes  our guide to island hopping boat tours in Coron , Palawan .   We hope you enjoy your time in this magical city. If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us in the comment section below, through our contact us page. Don’t forget to follow us on  Instagram here ,  where we share further travel advice & inspiration.

Stay adventurous and Happy travels.

Charlotte & Natalie x

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means that if you purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission,  at no extra cost to you.  And we can continue bringing you free travel tips and advice. If you found the content helpful and are kind enough to use our affiliates –  you are awesome, and we thank you! 

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THE 10 BEST Coron Private Tours

Private tours in coron.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Private Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Multi-day Tours
• Hop-On Hop-Off Tours
• Motorcycle Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Coron Ultimate Tour - Private Tour w/ Buffet Lunch (Full Day)

2. Coron Shipwrecks and Lusong Coral Garden tour (Private / Shared)

3. Coron Island Hopping Tour: via Private Speedboat

4. Coron Palawan Snorkeling & Island Hopping Tour (Private)

5. Coron Island Hopping Tour A with Kayangan Lake

6. Best Coron Beaches to Malcapuya & Ditaytayan via Speedboat

7. Private Coron Ultimate Tour

8. Private Coron Town Tour

9. Coron Island Hopping via Private Double Decker Party Boat

10. Coron Super Ultimate Tour (Private)

11. Private Culion Island Escapade in Coron Palawan with Island Lunch

12. Coron Island Tour B (Private)

13. Coron Culion Island Escapade Private Tour

14. Private Coron Tour A

15. Private Coron Tour B

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Coron Island Hopping Tour A (Private Tour)

Coron Town Tour With Maquinit Hot Springs Private Tour

Coron Ultimate Tour (Private Tour)

Coron Reefs & Wreck Private Tour

What travelers are saying.

ISLAND HOPPING IN CORON | Complete Guide

Sailing across some of the bluest water in the world, in a local Filipino boat and witnessing breathtaking landscapes truly make island hopping in Coron an incredible activity. Discover lagoons hidden amongst the jagged cliffs, swim at remote beaches and enjoy some amazing snorkelling.

To be honest, the town of Coron isn’t anything special, but it is the islands and the underwater world that surrounds it that definitely make it destination-worthy. A Coron island hopping tour is the ultimate way to get out and explore all of the amazing nearby places.

While there are plenty of organized Coron island hopping tours you can join, we recommend renting a private boat and creating your own itinerary for a day trip. This is much more affordable than in El Nido , and will help you to beat the crowds and enjoy some of these incredible places with only a handful of other tourists.

Grab a few friends, find a boat and plan the perfect Coron island tour.

Check out our  Southeast Asia Packing List  for a guide on what to pack for your Philippines adventure!

Disclaimer – This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we receive a small commission if you make a purchase at NO extra cost to you. This will never impact our reviews and we only recommend products and services we firmly believe in.

How to Get to Coron

There are multiple flights daily to Coron airport (Busuanga) from some of the major airports in the Philippines including Manila and Cebu. From the airport it is just a short 30-minute taxi ride to reach Coron town centre.

The easiest way to get to Coron from El Nido is to take the ferry. Ferries leave from El Nido harbour at 6am and 8am and the journey takes around 5 hours. The ferries can get booked up days in advance, so you will need to make sure you book your tickets ahead of time to ensure you can travel on your desired day.

You can book your ferry tickets from El Nido to Coron here .

Arriving in Coron was an absolute whirlwind. From the moment we stepped off the boat and out of the ferry terminal gates we were harassed by people trying to offer us a lift into the town centre. It was an overwhelming experience and we hate this sort of thing so much we decided to just walk the 25 minutes to our homestay.

This is something we often do as budget backpackers, but it does make for a hot and sweaty walk in the middle of the day. If you do decide to take a tricycle, they will try and charge you 100 PHP. This is very expensive for this trip and you should be able to barter the price down a bit.

Coron Island Hopping Group Tour

While we typically like to try and do everything ourselves, rather than joining organized tours, we understand that this isn’t the case for everybody. Some people like to just turn up and have everything organized for them already and we totally get it.

On our first trip to Coron we actually joined a group tour to experience the island hopping and it was still fantastic. There are plenty of awesome tour companies that offer a group tour known as the Coron Ultimate Island Hopping Tour. They will visit the main attractions like Twin Lagoon and Kayangan Lake and are perfect for solo or budget travellers.

Book your Coron ultimate island hopping tour here !

Coron Island Hopping Private Tour

Most people come to Coron to either scuba dive or jump on an island hopping tour. Having dived here the first time we visited Coron, we opted just to do an island hopping tour here the second time around.

The awesome thing about Coron is that it is much more affordable to do a private boat tour here than it is in El Nido. Prices for island hopping tours are also fixed here, meaning it shouldn’t really matter where you book your tour.

Coron Island Hopping Price

For a private tour there is a flat fee of 2700 PHP ($53 USD) plus you have to pay an entrance fee for each place you visit, snorkel rental and you need to pay for your own food. The entrance fees to the different locations are all paid in cash, so you will need to bring small bills to be able to pay these. If you decide to join a group tour, then all of these costs are included.

With all of these costs included, our private island hopping tour in Coron cost us 4000 PHP ($78.65 USD). This was split between 3 people, which meant it only cost us $26.22 USD per person for a private boat.

This was worth every penny as we got to pick our own route. We were able to visit Twin Lagoon, one of the most popular stops in Coron, first thing and there was only one other couple there in the morning. Usually this spot is packed with visitors, so getting to experience it almost to ourselves was worth the private tour alone.

Book a private tour to go island hopping in Coron here!

Coron Island Hopping Tour Itinerary

The perk of the private boat tour is that you can choose your own itinerary! The local guides are able to provide you with some insight and recommend the best places, but it is worth knowing some of the local hotspots so you don’t miss anything. Below we will walk you through our chosen itinerary.

Coron Market

The morning actually starts with a trip to the local market where you pick out exactly what you want to eat for lunch. Be sure to bring cash as food is not included on your private tour. We ended up buying chicken, vegetables, rice, seasoning, fruit and charcoal, which ended up costing us 663 PHP ($13 USD) and was more than enough for the three of us.

Once you have all your food, it’s time to hop on the boat and make your way to stop number 1 on your island hopping tour.

Twin Lagoon

This place is absolutely spectacular and was our number one place we wanted to experience on this island hopping trip. That’s why it was the first stop on our trip, in order to beat the crowds. Our boat pulled up around the corner from the lagoon and we had to swim into the lagoon for the remaining 100 metres, which only took a few minutes.

You are required to wear a lifejacket when visiting Twin Lagoon, which makes swimming slightly more difficult, but it helps to stop you from drowning, which is a good thing I guess. The entrance fee for Twin Lagoon is 200 PHP ($3.93 USD).

The water here is a beautiful deep blue and it is incredibly clear. The highlight for us was the wooden staircase that has been built into one of the cliffs. You can swim through a small passage underneath the cliff and then climb out of the water onto the wooden steps.

It is a surreal experience and a totally unique place. If you are feeling brave you can also jump from the top of the steps back into the water below. After hanging out by the steps you can swim over to a long wooden walkway which allows you to take in the stunning surroundings from just above the water level.

The nice thing about a private tour is that we were in no rush to make it back to our boat and we spent ages swimming in the water and enjoying having a place this good almost to ourselves. This was probably the highlight of our time island hopping in Coron.

Once we were satisfied and more people started to arrive, we made our way back to the boat to head onto the next spot.

Coral Garden at Smiths Beach

Although you can actually visit the beach here, the main reason to stop here is the coral garden hiding beneath the surface of the water. The entrance fee for the coral garden was 150 PHP ($3 USD).

The snorkelling here was amazing with vibrant corals, turtles, loads of tropical fish and we even got lucky enough to see some squid swim passed us. While we did snorkel at one other stop, this was definitely the highlight of the trip in terms of seeing the underwater world.

Banul Beach

It doesn’t get much better than this in terms of remote island beaches. Our boat pulled up to the beach and we jumped down onto an empty white sand beach with bright blue water.

This little slice of paradise only has a couple of rickety wooden structures built on it and was the ultimate place to spend our morning basking in the warm sun. We explored the rocky coast, swam in the water and hung out in the shade of the wooden huts.

Atwayan Beach tends to be a more popular choice on boat tours and we have no idea why because Banul Beach was exceptional and one of our favourites in the whole of Palawan. Entrance fee for Banul Beach is 150 PHP ($3 USD).

Atwayan Beach

Atwayan Beach wasn’t the most spectacular beach on our tour compared to the others. We only stopped here to have our lunch and this is really what the beach is mainly used for, as there are long wooden picnic benches set back in the shade where you can enjoy your island-style lunch.

After filling our bellies and having a brief nap in the shade, we jumped back on the boat to continue our tour. The entrance fee for Atwayan Beach was 150 PHP ($3 USD).

Cyc Beach is a tiny island that looks different from the rest of the islands around Coron. While the other islands are surrounded by towering cliffs, Cyc Beach is set out by itself and is covered in only sand and small trees.

You can snorkel here, although there wasn’t nearly as much to see here as there was at the Coral Garden at Smiths Beach. We ended up just floating around in the water and taking in the incredible scenery.

One of the major bonuses here was the ‘snack man’ who kayaks between the boats selling cold drinks and snacks. There’s something awesome about having an ice cold beer delivered to your boat by a guy on a kayak with such a stunning backdrop. To top it all off, entrance to this island is free.

Kayangan Lake Lagoon

As we had already visited Kayangan Lake the first time we came to Coron, we decided not to go the second time. It is a really cool place, but it is also the busiest spot to visit on a boat trip around Coron.

The second time around, we pulled up a few hundred metres short of the entrance to the lake where there was a crazy coloured lagoon, with cliffs hundreds of feet high on either side. The water was such an awesome shade of blue and we couldn’t wait to jump in. The final stop of our trip was spent diving and flipping into the ludicrously blue water and it was an epic way to finish off the day.

After a couple of accidental belly flops to leave us with stinging stomachs, it was time to head for home. While Coron may not be quite as jaw dropping as El Nido, it is a close second, and the fact that there are much fewer people here made it just as good of an experience.

One place that we didn’t visit is Barracuda Lake, but if you decide to go on a private tour you can add this to your own custom Coron island hopping tour.

Coron Accomodation

Coron has plenty of options for accommodation and the town centre is quite small, making it easy to stay within walking distance to all of the shops and restaurants. Below are our top picks for the area.

Budget:  The Yellow House  –  The perfect place to stay for budget travellers. The rooms are cheap and clean and are only a 10-minute walk from the town centre and the harbour. This place ticked all the boxes for us and we would happily stay there again.

Mid-Range:  Vela Terraces Hotel  –  With amazing views of the mountain and a pool to cool off in, this is a great place to stay for those looking for a bit of luxury without spending a fortune. It’s also located just a short walk from the town centre.

Luxury:  The Funny Lion  –  If you are looking for a luxury getaway in Coron, then this is the place for you. There is an infinity pool where you can relax and enjoy a cold drink and also a sun deck with amazing views of Coron Bay and the surrounding islands.

Final Thoughts

The islands that surround the town of Coron are epic. Huge rocky cliffs emerge from the blue water and create such a dramatic landscape. Visiting the lagoons and beaches surrounded by these landscapes made for an amazing day.

Island hopping in Coron was one of the highlights of our trip to Palawan , and it made the journey here totally worth it. We encourage you to organize your own private Coron island hopping tour to discover this incredible place for yourselves.

Planning a trip to the Philippines? Check out our other blog posts on the area:

• PERFECT 3 WEEK PHILIPPINES ITINERARY
• EL NIDO ITINERARY | Paradise in Palawan
• PALAWAN ITINERARY | El Nido, Coron and Port Barton
• PORT BARTON ITINERARY | Adventure Travel Guide
• WHITE BEACH PORT BARTON

*Please note, prices are a reflection of our experiences while traveling the Philippines in May 2019 and are subject to change. Prices quoted in PHP were the exact prices we paid and USD conversions are listed for your convenience.

I love visiting Palawan and so many other beautiful islands of the Philippines!

Us too…it’s easily one of our favourite countries in the world. So many beautiful islands!

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Hi, we're Luke and Roxy, a travel couple from Ireland and Canada. We are all about finding awesome, off the beaten path adventures and love to find the cheapest way of doing things. Thanks for visiting our blog!

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Best Coron Island hopping with a private tour

• Published on April 15, 2020
• Last updated on November 18, 2023

When visiting the Philippines, an island hopping tour in Coron is a must-do. We spent one month in the Philippines, and Coron was the first place we went to. We must say our trip started with a bang. Coron is everything you might have in mind about the Philippines, the most unique, clear and turquoise water, small islands with beach huts and lagoons.

Best time to visit the Philippines

The best time to visit the Philippines is between November and April because these are the dryer and colder months. The wet season starts from Mai until October brings a lot of rain and hotter temperatures. However, the tropical weather in the Philippines is very unpredictable all year round.

We visited the country in February, and we had rain regularly. But it usually lasted only a few hours. Be prepared that the weather can change very quickly. It can be the most beautiful sunny day, and an hour later it is raining heavily. Another hour later, it may be perfectly sunny again.

How to get to Coron Island

Coron Island has an airport called Busuanga. If you arrive at the airport, there is a shuttle bus service to Coron town for 300 pesos (5.60 $). They will ask you at which hotel you stay and show you which minibus you should take. It’s about an hour’s ride into town.

If you travel between El Nido and Coron, we recommend you take the local ferry, which takes you 4 hours and costs 35$ per person.

Visa to enter the Philippines

Most nationalities can enter the Philippines for 30 days visa-free. If you want to extend your stay, you have to apply at an Immigration office. You can find all information here .

Coron Island hopping tour

If you visit Coron Island, it is a must to take a tour around it because the most beautiful places in Coron are on the smaller Islands. You can choose whether you want to go on a group tour or book a private boat. A group tour is the cheaper option, but we decided to do a private tour mainly because it allowed us to start earlier in the morning and choose where we wanted to go.

Where to book a private Coron Island hopping tour 

If you want to book a private tour to go Island hopping in Coron, we recommend you head down to the port and book directly with the boatmen. Tourist offices in town will be able to arrange private tours, but they will charge you additionally, and they won’t let you choose your stops. If you arrive at the port, walk along the public market until you reach the backside of the building and can see the boats. There will be boatmen coming up to you to ask if you want to book a private Coron Island hopping tour. They will show you a poster with all the possible stops and prices, and there you can choose and organize your private trip.

Tipp: If you want to start your private boat tour earlier than the group tours, we would recommend you go down to the harbor a day before and book your trip for the next morning.

Cost for a private Coron Island hopping boat tour

• The price for the boat incl. crew was 2700 pesos (50$)
• Entry fees for different Islands/Lagoons were 2350 pesos (45$)
• Rent snorkeling gear for 100 pesos (1.90$)
• Food from the market (10$) for rice, vegetables, and fruits

You can buy the food you like in the public market and bring it to the boat. The crew will cook it for you. We brought rice, vegetables, watermelon, and bananas and had a fantastic lunch.

Best stops to choose from for your private Coron Island hopping tour

We listed here our favorite places from the island hopping boat tour in Coron, which might help you to choose. But we are sure that you will love every place because Coron is just incredibly beautiful.

Kayangan Lake

This place was definitely one of the highlights of our boat tour. We recommend you make this your first stop in the morning because this place can get bustling. Once you arrive here, you must walk up and down again to reach the lake. The walk takes you around 10 min, and you will have a fantastic view from the top. The lake itself is incredibly peaceful, with the clearest blue water. Take a morning dip to refresh yourself from the walk.

Twin Lagoon

When your boat enters Twin Lagoon, you will be blown away by the beauty surrounding you. The turquoise blue water and the limestone rocks around you will make your heart beat faster. The Lagoon has, as the name says, two parts. One side is where the boats stop and drop the people. From here, you can swim to a hole in the rocks to enter the second Lagoon, and you will see the most turquoise water of your life. Life vests are a must here, and even though we were a bit annoyed at first as good swimmers, we were glad to have them in the end because the Lagoon is vast, and we swam for over an hour. There is a little stair in between the two lagoons that you can climb to have a great view.

Tipp: bring a dry bag to your boat trip. If you don’t have one yet, you can buy one at Coron town for around 5$ (depending on the size). It will allow you to bring a phone/camera; otherwise, you won’t be able to take photos here because the Lagoon can only be reached by swimming.

Banul Beach

Banul Beach is the perfect place for your lunch break. It’s a white paradise beach with a few beach huts where you can eat comfortably. After lunch, you can go for a swim in the beautiful turquoise water and relax on the beach for a bit. We enjoyed playing with the beach pups.

Coral Gardens

Don’t miss to snorkel on your Coron Island hopping tour. The underwater world in Coron has a lot of beauty to offer, too. There is a snorkeling point called Coral Garden, and another one is at a shipwreck. We chose the Coral Garden and were not disappointed by all the colorful fish and corals.

You can rent snorkeling gear at the harbor before you start your boat trip. Ask the boatmen for it, and they will show you the place. We only rented fins because we have our own masks/snorkels, and we paid around 2$.

Tipp: The famous place with the little beach hut is nearby. If you like to see it, tell your captain you want to go there. Eventually, the local people who own this hut will be around, and you will have to pay them 200 pesos; otherwise, it’s free.

Barracuda Lake

Our last stop of our Coron Island hopping tour was at Baracuda Lake, which was great because most group tours left this place already, and there were only a few other people. This lake has the most transparent water; because of that, you can see the rock formations surrounding it go deep down into the water. It’s an epic place to end your tour and definitely worth adding to your trip.

Where to eat in Coron

We heard a lot how hard it is to find food in the Philippines as a Vegetarian / Vegan, so we were positively surprised that it wasn’t that hard anymore. The typical Philippino cuisine is indeed very meat and fish heavy, and for that reason, the local food was not really an option for us personally. But we found the following cute places to eat which are Vegan friendly:

• Full Lotus : fully vegetarian menu, small portions to share, / tapas-style, falafel, bowls
• Summer Cafe : best smoothie bowls and very good coffee
• Falafel 4:13 : Falafel Pitas & Wraps
• Kulay Bowls : create your own salad bowls and smoothie bowls
• OM’s Thai : serves a delicious big fried rice that can be shared, good budget option

Overall we have to say that for us the Philippines was the most expensive country for food in southeast Asia. We spent, on average, 30$ for food per day for two.

Where to stay in Coron

We recommend staying in Coron Town, which is where most boat tours start. Accommodation in Coron is usually very basic. We recommend Treetop Suites  for your stay.

How to get around in Coron Town

The easiest and cheapest way to get around in Coron town is by tricycle. They are everywhere on the streets, and you can hop in. Always ask for the price first; if necessary, haggling is allowed. The average price for a Tricycle is 100-200 pesos (2-3$).

Travel Tips

Internet access.

Internet access in the Philippines is only reliable near big cities. If you’re on one of the many small islands, having internet access may sometimes be a matter of luck. Even though many cafes and hotels offer free WiFi, this doesn’t mean you’re having access to the internet.

From our experience, the best you can do is to buy a local SIM card. There are two major telecom providers: Smart and Globe. We got ours at a small booth at the airport, and we paid 1000 Pesos (around 19 $) for a SIM card with 12 gigabytes of internet data. Toping up your SIM card can be done instantly at one of the many small shops. 

The most convenient option for travelers is the eSim Card (digital SIM card) from Airalo . You can download and install a digital data pack and get connected anywhere in the world as soon as you land, so there is no need to waste time looking for a local plastic SIM card.

Environment

On all the islands we visited in the Philippines, we found a ban on single-use plastics such as plastic bags, straws, cups, and so on. In all Supermarkets and even in the tiny local markets, they only gave us biodegradable bags. We loved this so much. We barely saw plastic pollution in the Philippines. People are much more aware of it than in other Asian countries. There are environmental taxes for most places you visit on boat tours so that these places can be protected and cleaned. On most boat tours, you cannot even bring plastic bottles or other plastic. Please never leave anything behind except your footprints in the sand.

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Coron Ultimate Tour, the Best Coron Island Hopping Tour

The best way to explore the beauty of the Philippines and its islands from Coron, Palawan, is to join the Coron Ultimate Tour . This tour is a Coron Island-Hopping Tour that hits all of Coron’s highlights, including Kayangan Lake and Coron’s Twin Lagoons. 

Many of the iconic spots around the Philippines are only reachable by boat, which basically forces you to join an island-hopping tour. For the number of sights and experiences you have on the Coron Ultimate Tour (also called the Coron Super Ultimate Tour) I thought the tour was 100% worth the price.

Several Coron Island-Hopping tours leave from Coron Town including  Coron Island Tour A ,  Coron Island Tour B ,  Coron Island Escapade Tour , and the Coron Ultimate Tour. Many of these Coron island-hopping tours hit the same beautiful lagoons, snorkeling spots, and islands. When I asked around in Coron which tour was the best for snorkeling and area highlights, the  Coron Ultimate Tour  was the answer. 

The Coron Ultimate Tour includes a trip to Kayangan Lake , one of the most famous spots in the Philippines, and the Coron Twin Lagoons where cold fresh water mixes with warm salt water from the ocean. On the tour, you’ll snorkel a small ship wreck and some coral gardens, plus hang out at two secluded islands. A life vest, snorkel gear, lunch, and snack were provided, as was a tricycle pick up and drop off at your guesthouse. 

Together with Marty from  Intrepid Road , we booked the Coron Ultimate Tour for  1300 pesos per person.  The standard cost across for the Coron Ultimate Tour across all Coron tour companies is 1300-1500 pesos ($25-$30 USD). If you’re visiting the Philippines in the high tourist season, I recommend booking the tour ahead of time . 

How to Book the Coron Ultimate Tour

Klook is a travel and activity booking platform that allows you to book a spot on a Coron Ultimate Tour before you arrive in the Philippines. The cost of joining a tour through Klook is $30 USD. If your visit to the Philippines and Palawan is on a tight schedule, I recommend booking the tour ahead of time. Booking ahead means you won’t miss out on this epic island-hopping adventure!

If you prefer to book a private Coron Island-Hopping tour that goes to all of these Coron highlights, Klook gives you options and prices for private tours also. 

Coron Ultimate Tour Packing List

• Underwater camera – I used my waterproof GoPro
• A Quick-Dry Towel because you’ll be in and out of the water multiple times throughout the day
• Water bottle & snacks
• Sunscreen – make sure it’s reef and marine-life friendly !
• Money to buy water, snacks, and alcohol offered during the tour
• Water shoes*

*Some companies may provide these, or you may be able to negotiate renting them in the price. Many shops near the catamaran port in Coron rent these for a reasonable price as well.

Check out my other Philippines travel blog posts:

• Read up on my Philippines itinerary – Philippines Four Week Island-Hopping Itinerary
• Check items off your Philippines bucket list – Swimming with Whale Sharks in Oslob
• See sea turtles and snorkel – Bohol Snorkeling Experience
• Explore the off-the-beaten-path island of Siquijor – Siquijor Island Travel Guide

Starting the Coron Ultimate Tour

8:00am pickup

The designated pickup time from our guesthouse was between 8-8:30 in the morning. Of course the pick-up was a bit later than that, but we were put on a tricycle to be taken down to Coron’s catamaran port.

Dozens of catamarans are lined up along the shore here, all departing for various Coron tours. Two or three more are often tied to the backs of the front catamarans, conga-line style. Tricycles and vans pull up left and right at the port to drop off tourists. Local tour operators rush around shouting in Tagalog, pointing in every direction. It’s a hectic scene for so early in the morning! 

When we were dropped off by our tricycle, a man from our tour company popped up out of nowhere pointed us towards a row of four catamarans. “Last boat, last boat”, he said, and ushered us forward. 

Although a snorkel mask and life vest were included in the tour price, flippers were not, so we made a quick detour to a shop that exclusively rented flippers. We rented them for 150 pesos ($2.80 USD) per pair , before heading to our boat. After passing through three other boats, we settled into ours which had about 20 other guests on board.

9:00 am 10:00 am departure

At 10 am (not 9 am like advertised) all the catamarans started to leave from the port, each one detaching from the one behind it. 

A local man stood at the bow (front) of our boat and used a massive bamboo stick to push the boat move away from shore. When we were a hundred yards off land, the engine roared to life at ear-splitting octave, propelling us across the water. 40 or 50 boats in total took to the open sea at once, like colorful seagulls ripping over the waves.

We were finally off to discover Coron and Palawan island’s incredible natural beauty! Coron, Palawan is known  known for its limestone rock formations that jut aggressively out of the water.  At the base of these formations are coral gardens and caves, sometimes sandbanks.

Coron Ultimate Tour Stop 1: Coron's Twin Lagoon

Our first stop on the Coron Super Ultimate Tour was the Twin Lagoon. The boat pulled up to where two limestone cliffs stand side by side, with a shallow sandbank between them. We were required to wear life vests before getting in the water, and took a pair of snorkels out of a communal bucket on-board. Our guide recommended that we wear water shoes because of the sea urchins and stone fish that call this place home. Since most people didn’t have shoes, we took our flip flops.

We had 30 minutes to spend here and the only way to start was by jumping about five feet down into the water! 

It was a quick swim to the sandbank, where the water was shallow enough to walk through. The rocks below our feet were sharp, and the sand that was kicked up every step we took made it near impossible to see our feet. I prayed there were no sea urchins or stonefish in front of me as my flip flops dragged through the water with each step. 

Soon the water was too deep to walk in again. As I started paddling, I looked up in awe at the massive limestone rocks that surrounded this lagoon . The lagoon was crowded with floating tourists all wearing their orange life vests. In a sense it added to the beautiful colors of the landscape – the turquoise blue of the water, the green of the forest, the brown and gray the rocks, and the bright orange dots of tourists floating like confetti on the water.

We swam under a rock overpass to reach the second lagoon, which was filled with more catamarans and tourists coming in from that direction too. We spent our time in the larger first lagoon, where depending on where you’re swimming, feels cold or warm.

The fresh water mixes with the ocean water here, creating currents of different temperatures. The water was actually too warm in most of the lagoon to see clearly with the snorkels, so there wasn’t really a point in bringing them along with us.

Stop 2: CYC Island and Las Islas De Coral (and 7-Eleven)

Our next stop  checked off two spots off of the Coron Super Ultimate Tour itinerary: CYC Beach, and Las Islas De Coral . The main attraction here was the island that CYC Beach is on. The tiny island has a large sandbank in the shape of a boomerang that stretches towards the tourist boats. Some locals were hanging out on the island, waiting for tourists to come so they could try and sell some souvenirs.

Our guide told us there was a 7-Eleven on this island, a popular convenience store throughout Southeast Asia. When our guides dropped the anchor, two local guys on paddle boats, each with a trash bag full of chips and a cooler of beer and cola pulled up on either side of the boat. “7-Eleven is here!” our guide joked. Almost everyone reached over the edge with pesos to buy beers and snacks from the paddle boaters. 

Half of the people on board decided to stay dry and rest while consuming their newly purchased 7-Eleven goods. The other half of us dove into the water with our snorkeling gear. We decided to skip visiting the island and just swim around it to explore the corals. 

Unfortunately the coral here was pretty bleached. A few lonesome fish were swimming around, but the colors were nowhere near as impressive as when we were snorkeling in Bohol. The only common creatures were black sea urchins with stingers over 10cm long.

Stop 3: Skeleton Shipwrek and Coral Gardens

Our next stop on the Coron, Palawan island-hopping tour was way better for snorkeling. Again it combined two separate spots: the Skeleton Wreck , and Coral Gardens . Though the Skeleton Wreck was included in our itinerary, we were happy to have gotten a bonus location, the Coral Gardens, which appears in some of the other tour itineraries.

As the boat was approaching this next island, we could see a swarm of people life vests and all, circling a very small spot in the water. Our guide told us they’re swimming above where the Skeleton Wreck is. Luckily the people cleared out by the time we jumped in and swam over.

It took us a couple of minutes to find the ship. I expected a massive pirate ship in the water, flag and all, something straight out of Pirates of the Caribbean. When someone finally pointed out the shipwreck to me, it was a unsurprisingly a bit smaller. A small, pointed section at the front of a ship was the easiest to spot, and it had been in the water long enough to basically look like a triangle of corals. The water was too murky to see much more of it, but some people were diving down to get a closer look. 

We spent most of our time here at the Coral Gardens. 

The coral was in great shape here. We could see the blues, reds, greens, and yellows that covered the uneven ground, sticking out in all shapes and directions. There were still sea urchins, but also schools of fish swimming through anemones and the coral. 

A massive school of fish was chilling around the corner all frozen in space. Their eyes were bulging from their small bodies, watching us and reacting just in the nick of time when we swam towards them. When we swam up to them with outstretched arms, their collective group changed shape to avoid us. They didn’t scatter, they just flowed around us in a synchronized motion.

Once of the guides who was in the water with us told us our 30 minutes were up, and in a single-file line, we swam back to the boat. Only when I climbed up onto the safety of the vessel, I heard someone say,  “Did you see that sea snake?”

“What? What?” people’s heads started turning. “Yeah, a sea snake! About this big,” someone motioned with their hands that it was over a meter long. “Brown and white stripes, just swam past us out of his hiding hole.” A guide and another swimmer who was next to him confirmed the sighting. 

Before starting the tour, Marty and I were irrationally afraid of sharks (which are of no concern here). Then we were warned by the guides about sea urchins and stonefish. No one had even mentioned sea snakes! One bite from these creatures will kill you in 20 minutes.

Stop 4: Atwayan Island for Lunch

1:30pm – Lunch

Buzzing with excitement because of the sea snake sighting, the boat left for our lunch destination on the Coron Ultimate Tour: Atwayan Island . This island was beautiful and surrounded by other limestone island cliffs. The water was bright blue, shallow and warm, the sand was soft, and many large bungalows were set up along the beach where tour groups would come and have their lunch. 

We all sat in big bungalow built over the water, and the tour guides started to bring out our food: grilled fish, chicken, pork, vegetables, rice, and some pineapples and watermelon. For vegetarians, stir-fried vegetables of mostly green beans and kabocha pumpkin was available, along with the fruits and rice. For the omnivores, the fish and meat smelled wonderful! The guides had been cooking everything on a grill at the back of the boat throughout the day, so it was all fresh.

Stop 5: Kayangan Lake

Our next stop on the Coron island-hopping tour was the famous Kayangan Lake. This lake is arguably one of the most famous spots in the Philippines because of its blue waters and dramatic limestone cliffs that surround the lake. To get to a famous viewpoint there was a bit of a climb, but it was the most beautiful view of the day when we got to the top. 

Down another set of stairs leads you to Kayangan Lake, where we were required to wear life vests again. Some people just hung out at the wooden boardwalk that surrounded a part of the lake. Others jumped in the water and swam to the edge of a roped-off area, where the lake opened up to a larger body of water. It was nice to just float around a little bit – there wasn’t much to see with the snorkeling mask.

As the boat pulled away from the Coron Ultimate Tour’s Kayangan Lake, the guides gave us each a cup of Coca-Cola, and a Philippine donut as a snack.

Stop 6, Coron Ultimate Tour's Last Stop: Siete Pecados

The last stop on the Coron Ultimate Tour was one of my favorites. Siete Pecados means Six Islands in Tagalog, and this is a protected coral area where no bleaching has taken place! The whole area was pretty shallow, so we had to be careful not to hit the ever-present sea urchins or the coral. We were reminded multiple times to not touch the coral, or else we would be fined 500 pesos by the sea marshals, wherever they were. 

Many different, interesting fish species call this place home. Beautiful corals branched out in all directions. The only downside was it was the end of the day when the sun was setting. The water was no longer a bright blue from the sun right above us. 

4:30pm – back to Coron

When we returned to the boat, the sun was setting over some islands in the distance, and the sky was turning a brilliant red and orange. Our boat was one of the last catamarans to shore as we locked on to a train of them that were already abandoned for the evening. 

A swarm of tricycle drivers were waiting to pick up passengers. After a little bit of back and forth, we were all sent back to our guesthouses. We were back by about 5:30 pm . 

Coron Ultimate Tour Summary

Tour: 1300 pesos, incl of snorkel mask ($25 USD) Flippers: 150 pesos extra to rent a pair for the day ($2.80 USD) Extra Snacks & Water: ~300 pesos ($5.50)

Pickup between 8:00-8:30am Tour starts at 9am (more like 10am for us) Tour ends at 5pm Drop-off to guesthouse by 5:30pm

If I was to visit Coron, Palawan in the Philippines again, I would absolutely join another Coron Super Ultimate Day Tour. I don’t doubt that it’s the best island-hopping tour from Coron because of the number and variety of amazing sights we saw. The experience was well worth the price of the ticket, and I highly recommend this on any future trip to the Philippines! 

Are You Prepared For The Coron Ultimate Tour and The Philippines? 

• Read my Philippines Island-Hopping Itinerary to plan your perfect Philippines itinerary! 
• Book Your Flights – To find the cheapest flights, flexibility is key. I use both  Google Flights  and their low fare calendar, and  Skiplagged , which uses airfare loopholes to get the lowest prices. 
• Book Your Accommodation – Check out  Booking.com  for the largest selection of accommodation around the world. For backpackers,  Hostelworld.com  is also a favorite. 
• Buy Travel Insurance – It’s better to protect yourself from mishaps when traveling. Get a quote from  World Nomads  to see how much it’ll cost to get you covered! 
• Check Visa Requirements – From E-Visas to Visas-on-Arrival,  iVisa  has all the info on country visa requirements. If one is required, you can order one hassle-free through their site.  
• Book Local Excursions – Don’t miss out on world-class experiences by booking tours and tickets online, ahead of your arrival.  GetYourGuide  and  Klook  both have fun experiences from around the Philippines like  Island-Hopping in El Nido , a Boracay Island Tour , and the Coron Ultimate Tour .
• Pack Your Essentials – Check out my posts about Long Term Travel Gear , and Carry-On Luggage Packing Essentials .

You might also like:

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One Month in Thailand Itinerary – The Thailand Backpacking Route

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The Best Coron Island Hopping Tours for Every Type Of Traveller

Choosing your Coron island hopping tours? You’re going to want to assess all of your options.

With lakes, lagoons, World War II shipwrecks, coral gardens, and handfuls of remote, white-sand beaches scattered around Coron, you do not want to miss anything important – especially when there are so many different tours to wrap your head around.

Located in the northern part of Palawan and with its own small airport, Coron is often the first or final destination on tourists’ Palawan itinerary.

Slightly quieter than El Nido, another popular island tour destination, it is my favourite place for island hopping in Palawan.

Compared to El Nido, the corals in Coron are typically healthier, more colourful, and have a more diverse population of fish. The bay also has a number of World War II shipwrecks, which divers and/or snorkellers can explore. 

There are heaps of Coron island hopping tours, enough options to drive you crazy. That’s why my guide explains exactly what you need to know: the difference between group tours and private tours ; the most popular routes; and the best Coron island hopping tours for snorkelling, beaches, or visiting lakes and lagoons.

Depending upon which island tour in Coron you choose – or island tours, rather, as the more the merrier – prepare to explore lakes, lagoons, sandbars, coral gardens, shipwrecks, and remote beaches surrounded by limestone cliffs and palm trees.

Before you visit Coron, read up on what to wear in Palawan and while island hopping too.

I also have a full guide to island hopping in Palawan , in case you’re looking for the best island hopping destinations in the area and where to visit next.

Table of Contents

Where is Coron?

Coron is an island in the northern part of Palawan in the Philippines .

The Philippines has over 7,641 islands, and yet, Coron is a stand-out. It has translucent, turquoise lakes, vibrant coral gardens, sunken World War II ships, white-sand beaches, and limestone cliffs (the limestone in Coron even has a name: Coron limestone).

Coron is also the name of a town on the same island, which is also referred to as Coron town proper. Coron town is more of a fishing village really, with a small port.

Positioned next to Mount Tapyas, the town has become the main hub of the island. Coron island hopping tours depart from the port in Coron town proper.

ESCAPE CHEAT SHEET

Planning your big escape? These are the booking resources I return to time and time again.

Book your hotel or hostel on Booking.com or Hostelworld .

Protect against accidents and emergencies with insurance from Staysure or SafetyWing .

Find a tour or experience on Get Your Guide .

Travel the world for free with TrustedHousesitters .

Is Coron worth visiting?

In Coron, you’ll soon find yourself sailing between limestone islands and barely-scathed beaches.

Every now and then, you’ll pull up to the islands to kayak or swim around deep, turquoise lakes and lagoons. At other times, you’ll stop over a coral garden or a World War II shipwreck to snorkel.

If that sounds like a day well-spent, Coron is absolutely worth visiting.

Island hopping is the main attraction in Coron, as the town is surrounded by a number of gorgeous limestone islands and islets with lagoons, lakes, coves, and coral reefs. 

However, there are also things to do closer to the town, including climbing Mount Tapyas for a view over the bay or visiting the local hot springs.

How many days is enough for Coron Palawan?

The best amount of time to spend in Coron in Palawan is between two and five days . 

Two days is the minimum amount of time you’ll need in Coron. This allows you to take at least one or two Coron island hopping tours and, if you’re not too tired in the evening, to climb Mount Tapyas and visit the hot springs. 

There are four main island hopping tours in Coron (A, B, C and D), each taking one full day to complete. If you don’t want to miss a beat – or rather, a coral reef – factor in four or more days to fully explore Coron. 

Up to five days is ideal if you want to take more than one or two Coron island tours. You can also take your days at a slower pace.

If you want to explore outside of Coron town and the wider Busuanga Island (on which Coron town proper is based), you will need to put aside more time. Either employ a driver or rent a scooter if you’re confident to drive.

How to get to Coron

If you’re visiting Coron, it’s likely that you’re either A) Beginning your Palawan itinerary in Coron and working your way from north to south, or B) Visiting Coron after visiting El Nido and/or Puerto Princesa and other destinations in the south of Palawan.

If Coron is your first destination in Palawan, you will need to take a flight from Manila (or another city in the Philippines with domestic connections, such as Cebu) to Coron airport . 

Coron airport is a very small airport, half an hour’s drive north of Coron town. Once upon a time, in 2018, when I first visited Coron, taxi drivers flocked new arrivals as soon as they exited the airport doors.

Nowadays, things are far more relaxed. This time, as soon as you walk outside, one mini-van driver will ask you which hotel you’re staying at. There are several buses waiting to whisk new arrivals away to their respective areas in Coron town. The official will direct you to the correct bus for your hotel. 

They charge a fixed price under the direction of the government, so don’t bother trying to haggle the price down. A one-way ticket costs 150 PHP (£2.10). 

If you’d rather not share a mini-van with other people, which will involve waiting for passengers to be dropped to their respective destinations in the town, you can order a private Coron one-way airport transfer instead. 

How much is island hopping in Coron?

Coron island hopping tours are the cheapest when you book a group tour. Group tours cost approximately 3000 PHP (£40). Group tours can be booked online or through your hotel or hostel.

Private island hopping tours in Coron cost approximately 5,000 to 7,000 PHP (equivalent to £60 – £100). The individual price person depends upon the route and the number of people in your group. If you have a larger group, the cost will be less per person.

Entry fees for Coron Island Hopping Tours

The main attractions in Coron require an entry fee. The fee goes towards supporting sustainable tourism and keeping the area clean and free from pollutants. 

The entry fees may or may not be included in the cost of the Coron island hopping tour. This is something you will need to check when you book your tour.

The entry fees are approximately as follows (per person):

• Twin Lagoon: 200 PHP (£2.80)
• Kayangan Lake: 300 PHPS (£4.20)
• Banana Island: 150 PHP (£2.10)
• Malcapuya Island: 250 PHP (£3.50)
• Siete Pecados: 100 PHP (£1.40)
• Banul Beach: 150 PHP (£2.10)
• Skeleton Wreck: 150 PHP (£2.10)

Types of Coron Island Hopping Tours 

1. coron island hopping tours by a private boat.

A private tour gives you the privacy and the freedom to do what you choose. This will be especially helpful if you are travelling as a group of friends, a family, or as work colleagues.

Even if you take a set Coron island tour such as the A, B, C, or D tours, you can ask your crew to take a detour to a different attraction if it is vaguely nearby.

They will be far more flexible with the itinerary if you are travelling on a private tour rather than on a group tour where they have a large number of people with different interests to cater to.

Private boat tours don’t include a buffet lunch, as group tours do. However, it’s very easy to make arrangements for lunch because the departure point for boats at Coron port is directly opposite the market.

Our private guide insisted upon buying us fresh fish, vegetables, and rice. He cooked us a delicious barbecued lunch to eat on the beach.

They didn’t charge extra for the price of cooking the lunch, but I imagine that they added what they deemed appropriate onto the cost of buying food from the market. Either way, the food from the market was inexpensive and less than your typical meal in Coron town.

Private tours are typically suitable for up to six to eight people. They include a private boat and a private English- or Tagalog-speaking local guide. 

Gluten-free? Read my guide to gluten free food Philippines , including how to travel and eat out confidently and safely.

2. Group Coron island hopping tour s

Group tours usually consist of 10-12 people in one boat. They follow a set itinerary and don’t deviate from the route or timings to keep the majority of the group happy.

This is a good option for solo travellers or small groups who want to make friends with other tourists or backpackers.

It is also budget-friendly, as group tours usually cost less than a private island tour in Coron if you do not have multiple people to split the cost with.

Unlike in a private tour, a buffet lunch is included. Entry fees to the attractions are also typically included in the price of the tour.

3. Coron island hopping tours by yacht or speedboat

The third island tour option in Coron is to take a private yacht or speedboat tour.

The main benefit of taking a yacht or a speedboat is that you have a quick, luxurious ride. The speedboats and yachts are much quicker than the traditional bangka boats used for standard private or group island tours in Coron.

This means that you can visit almost double the number of sites they do in one day, although you also have the option to move at your own pace.

The private yacht or speedboat tour visits Coron’s three most popular island hopping sites: Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, and Twin Lagoon.

It fits in two beaches, Banon Beach and CYC Beach, as well as a coral garden. A three-course lunch is provided, although there’s more scope to bring your own food and drinks onto the yacht.

Check the availability for a yacht or speedboat tour in Coron .

How to Prepare for Coron Island Hopping Tours

1. check the weather.

Most Coron island hopping tours provide the option to reschedule or get a full refund if the weather conditions are sub-optimal. If there are any signs of thunderstorms or rainstorms, you might want to take advantage of this option. 

For days with a lighter drizzle, the water activities may still go ahead. However, consider packing a light raincoat or something warmer to wear after emerging from the water.

The ideal conditions for the tours in Coron are be sunny, warm, and dry with good visibility.

2. Bring cash for entry fees and add-ons

You can check the fine print of your island hopping tour in Coron to see what is and isn’t included in your tour.

Most of the time, the main entry fees for attractions are included in the tour.  However, add-ons such as kayaks and snorkelling equipment rental may be applicable. 

Lunch is typically included in group tours but excluded in private tours. It goes without saying that you’ll need to pay for any add-ons, entrance fees, or food in cash. There are no card machines on the boats. 

3. Pack your dry bag

If you’re wondering what to wear in Palawan and island hopping, I have a full guide that sets out the do’s and don’ts.

A dry bag is essential when island hopping because there is a high chance that your belongings could get wet from the boat’s spray, dripping guests, or wet snorkel or kayaking equipment 

To summarise, you should bring or wear:

• Comfortable sandals or flip flops
• A change of clothes or cover-up
• Lightweight towel
• Optional: your own snorkelling gear

4. Allow time for your journey to the port

Unless your tour includes free pick-up from your accommodation, don’t forget to allow time for your journey to the port in Coron. 

The port is located a five- to 10-minute drive from most of the hotels in Coron town, but it is further away from hotels on the outskirts of Coron or on another part of Busuanga Island.

Traffic can be busy around Coron during the morning. Plus, tricycles move slower than you think, if that’s your main form of transport to the port.

You may need to pre-arrange for a taxi or tricycle with your accommodation or allot some time to find a driver and haggle for a reasonable price.

You should expect to pay around 20 PHP for a 15-minute tricycle ride from the town to the port.

Travel insurance is essential for any trip abroad. If you’re in an accident or experience an emergency, you need adequate cover. I recommend  Staysure  for single or multiple trips per year and SafetyWing for digital nomads.

What to expect on Coron Island Hopping Tours

1. an early start.

Coron island hopping tours typically depart at around 8am from Coron port. It takes around half an hour to an hour to sail from Coron to some of the island hopping destinations.

You also need to account for the journey time to the port, which can take around half an hour by tricycle.

2. Incredible scenery and photo opportunities

You’ll probably be raving about the things you see in Coron for a long time to come – or posting about them on Instagram, at least.

Limestone peaks and green hills rise from the ocean in all directions, providing the perfect backdrop and photo opportunities for your cruise.

3. Great coral gardens and wreck sites

Coron has a number of colourful coral gardens. They are some of the best I’ve seen on my travels. I’ve even gone so far as to say that I preferred some of the coral gardens in Palawan to the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, Australia.

The wreck sites are just an added bonus. There’s nothing quite like gliding over a boat encased in corals and barnacles. If you’re going wreck diving, even better.

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.

Still, there are less crowds in Coron than in El Nido. If you prefer not to compete with throngs of people, Coron is the more peaceful destination.

You’ll find less crowds on Tour C, which visits remote beaches rather than the most popular tourist sites. You can also avoid crowds easier on a private tour.

5. Barbecued local lunches

Group tours include a delicious barbecued buffet lunch, featuring seafood, chicken, pork, and salad or vegetable dishes with fresh tropical fruits. Private tour guides will also happily cook you a fresh local lunch from ingredients brought from the morning market at Coron port.

The spread is so ridiculously extensive and well-prepared that the lunch quickly became one of my highlights of booking a Coron island hopping tour for me.

The guides are very artistic in their presentation. Expect to receive carved pineapples in the shape of a bird, cucumber spirals, and carved fruit turtles.

The Best Coron Island Hopping Tours

There are four main Coron island hopping tours, labelled A, B, C, D, and the Coron Ultimate Tour. 

If you’re limited on time, the Coron Ultimate Tour is specifically designed to cover the most popular sites in one fell swoop. It visits Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Sunset Beach, Siete Pecados (coral garden) Skeleton Wreck, and CYC Beach.

However, the downside is that it is fast-paced and seems more about ‘ticking boxes’ than really experiencing the sites.

If you really want to experience Coron and its surrounding islands, tours A, B, C, and D are slightly slower-paced. 

Tour A and B are the most popular tours. Tour A visits Kayangan Lake, thought to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines and possibly in southeast Asia.

Tour B visits Barracuda Lake and Twin Lagoon, two other immensely popular sites famed for their underwater cliffs and free-diving or snorkelling.

Tour C is the best option for a relaxed beach day on Coron’s remotest islands.

Tour D is the best option for those who want to snorkel over Japanese shipwrecks which sank in Coron Bay during World War II.

Ideally, you’ll have time for all four tours. If not, you’ll need to decide what are the most important things for you to see and how much snorkelling or relaxing you want to do.

Coron Ultimate Tour : Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Sunset Beach, Siete Pecados (coral garden) Skeleton Wreck, and CYC Beach

Best for:  A jam-packed itinerary visiting Coron’s most popular locations and a World War II wreck.

The Coron Ultimate Tour gives you the biggest bang for your buck.

It pretty much fits in all of the most popular tourist sites in Coron, along with one of the best coral gardens for snorkelling, a beach, and a World War II shipwreck.

It visits Kayangan Lake, the cleanest lake in Palawan (and perhaps in Asia). Just like the next stop, Twin Lagoon, it has underwater limestone cliffs ideal for free-diving, snorkelling, or simply floating and enjoying the scenery.

Kayangan Lake

The only thing is, Coron Ultimate Tour does not visit Barracuda Lake, one of the most popular (and on the rise to be THE most popular) sites in Coron. The island hopping tour is also very fast-paced, leaving little time for you to enjoy each place before you’re shuttled off to the next.

If you’d prefer to spend more time rather than feeling rushed from one place to the next, you may want to pick two to four of the A, B, C, and D tours to take things at a slower pace.

Check the availability for the Coron Ultimate Tour .

Tour A: Kayangan Lake, CYC Beach, Sunset Beach, and Las Islas De Coral

Best for: Visiting Kayangan Lake and snorkelling at a powdery beach.

Visiting Kayangan Lake is a must for many people visiting Coron. Why? It’s supposedly the cleanest lake in the Philippines, and some argue, in the whole of southeast Asia. 

Kayangan Lake, Coron

A translucent turquoise shade, Kayangan lake is made up of only 30% saltwater and the remainder freshwater. The lake is full of tiny silver needle fish; if you stay still long enough, they’ll cosy up to you.

There are small caves within the water, located on the left-hand side as you enter the boardwalk. 

The lake is also popular for free-diving, because it has underwater limestone cliffs and crevices, although the rule is that every swimmer must have a life vest in the water with them at all times.

To reach Kayangan Lake, there is a 10-minute stair climb. It passes a viewpoint over a small seaport and green limestone cliffs. The view is almost as popular as the lake itself. 

Viewpoint near Kayangan Lake, Coron 

Tour A’s main attraction is Kayangan Lake, but it also visits two of Coron’s most popular beaches.

CYC Beach is a small cove with silky white sand. It’s located on a tiny island surrounded by mangroves and small corals suitable for snorkelling over.

The coral garden, named Las Islas De Coral, is best-known for its multicoloured corals and fish. 

The tours normally stop at Sunset Beach for lunch. It’s very similar to CYC Beach, but it is lined with wooden shacks and picnic benches for people to eat. 

Check the availability for Tour A .

Tour B: Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon and Smith Beach

Best for: Visiting popular lakes and lagoons and a shipwreck

If you’re keen to free-dive or snorkel in some of Coron’s most popular lagoons and lakes – and a shipwreck is just another bonus in your eyes – Tour B is the tour for you.

The Twin Lagoons and Barracuda Lake

The tour begins by visiting Barracuda Lake, a lake with jagged underwater limestone formations ideal for snorkelling or shallow free-diving.

The deeper you dive, the warmer the lake feels due to the combination of fresh and saltwater. Freediving is actually banned for the safety of the majority of tourists, but experienced and confident free-divers may want to try some shallow dives out.

Skeleton Wreck is the next (and well-awaited) stop-off. The Japanese warship, which is now layered with coral and barnacles, sunk during World War II. Tour B also visits a second reef garden.

Twin Lagoon

Twin Lagoon is also a key item on the itinerary. This destination consists of two clear lagoons separated by jagged limestone cliffs. Because the lagoons are so shallow, the main way of exploring is by kayak, although you can swim in the deeper areas.

Check the availability for Tour B .

Tour C: Malcapuya Island and Ditaytayan Island sand bar 

Best for: A relaxed day visiting beaches, coral gardens and a sandbar (family-friendly too!)

Sometimes you just want to take things easy, and this is the tour for that.

If you can’t get enough of white sands and you simply want to lay among the powder all day long (with the exception of stopping at a coral garden for some snorkelling), Tour C is a great option.

It begins by visiting Malcapuya Island, one of the most deserted beaches in Coron. The shallow water is ideal for swimming (or floating), and very family-friendly.

Malcapuya Island

Ditaytayan Island is another of Coron’s more peaceful spots. The island has a lengthy sand bar, bordered on both sides by warm, shallow swimming waters. Here, you can sunbathe with the water on either side and a gentle breeze passing over at all times.

Check the availability for Tour C .

Tour D: East Tangat Wreck, Lusong Gunboat Wreck, and Lusong Coral Garden

Best for: Snorkelling over two World War II shipwrecks.

Coron Bay is scattered with sunken Japanese war ships from World War II. Some are shallow enough to snorkel over, while others are perfect for divers to explore. 

Tour D is the best way to explore the World War II wrecks in Coron and get clued up on the war history in the area. Both wrecks have been left to linger in the ocean so long that they’re now covered in corals and barnacles, which attract colourful schools of fish and other sea critters.

The tour also stops at Pass Island, which has soft silica sand known for its exfoliating properties.

Lusong Gunboat is the first wreck on the itinerary, and one of the most famous around Coron. The ship met its demise after being hit by bullets from a machine gun, before crashing on the beach and eventually being swept just offshore.

Pufferfish, batfish, and angelfish are regular visitors to the wreck’s soft corals. Better yet, the wreck is also close to the large Lusong Coral Garden, one of the best in Coron. 

The second wreck on the tour, East Tangat, is a 40-metre tugboat or anti-submarine boat (experts aren’t quite sure) which sank in September 1944. Weighing 500 gross tons, it is planted on a sandy underwater bank in shallow water.

There aren’t as many corals on this wreck, but nevertheless, it attracts fish like butterflyfish, sea stars, and angelfish. This is my favourite wreck because the visibility is often very good and you can see the many contours of the boat. 

Check the availability for Tour D .

Coron Island Hopping Tours: How to Rent a Private Boat in Coron

If you ask the right people, it’s possible to rent a private boat and guide in Coron for a reasonable price. I managed to do this with two friends by asking my hotel staff.

Your success rate will depend upon your/their connections and your success at haggling. You can rent a speedboat or yacht instead, too. 

This gives you the chance to visit places that are not covered on the typical tour routes in Coron. Below I’ve listed a couple of locations that we visited during our time island hopping in Coron. 

If you take a private tour (A, B, C, or D), you can also request to change one of the stops to one of the following locations, which aren’t included in the typical tours.

It will depend upon whether the new destination is in the same area or far away from your other stops, so ask early on into the tour.

Banul Beach

Banul Beach is by far my favourite beach in Coron. I’d go so far as to say that it’s my favourite beach in Palawan. 

The shallow waters must have a very high concentration of salt, because it’s incredibly easy to float on your back for minutes at a time. The water is very shallow, and the sand is perfectly powdery. There’s also a small coral garden.

With wooden huts and picnic benches set up for shade and passing boats to stop for lunch, it’s an excellent place for a lazy day without too many crowds.

The beach is empty in the morning, and even at lunchtime, it’s not as busy as the main beaches featured in the Coron A, B, C and D tours. There are toilets on top of the hill, so you can spend an entire day here if you wish, just like I did.

Banul Beach is between Sunset Beach and Twin Lagoon, making an easy additional stop on Tour B .

Hidden Lagoon

One of my tour guides let me in on the secret of Hidden Lagoon. If you want to avoid the crowds at Twin Lagoon, this is your place. It’s smaller than Twin Lagoon, and when we were there first-thing in the morning, we had it completely to ourselves.

Jump into a kayak and glide over the shallow waters, spotting sea urchins and manoeuvring through a mangrove forest. You can even take a lap of the limestone bay and corals outside of the lagoon.

Hidden Lagoon is only a 10-minute boat ride from Kayangan Lake, so it makes an easy addition to Tour A .

Things to do in Coron Town

1. climb mount tapyas.

Island hopping tours are the main thing to do in Coron. However, you won’t spend all of your time on the water.

Most island tours return just in time for you to fit in a sunset climb up Mount Tapyas, the hill which overlooks the town. You can spot the large ‘Coron’ sign and cross on the hill from miles off while cruising in the bay.

Mount Tapyas is only 210 metres high, so it’s a relatively entry-level climb. It helps that the entire distance is covered by a concrete staircase, so no scrambling is required.

The viewing deck has views over the town, ocean, port, and the exact islands which host your island hopping.

Stray from the viewing deck onto the hill, where there is long grass which takes on a golden hue in the sunset.

2. Visit the Maquinit Hot Spring

Maquinit Hot Spring doesn’t require any island hopping. Located half an hour’s tricycle ride from Coron, the hot springs are heated by an underwater volcano (don’t worry, not the type that will erupt).

It’s a popular place to visit at night, after climbing Mount Tapyas.

The springs are approximately 36 to 40°C, and the silica in the water can help to relieve dry or cracked skin. Who needs a hot tub or a sauna for a detox?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Raf Hormaza (@lifeofanfa)

3. Explore the town

Not many take the time to explore within Coron town. However, the town has an interesting number of historical sites, as well as a distinct culture.

St. Augustine Church is the only Catholic church in Coron. It has high, white ceilings and a pulpit honouring the patron saint St. Augustine. The Town Plaza is another community hub.

A town tour will take you to the cultural landmarks of Coron, including a small family-run cashew factory on the way to the Maquinit Hot Spring.

Transport to Mount Tapyas and Maquinit Hot Spring is arranged via an air-conditioned van, saving you the trouble of a dusty, bumpy tricycle journey.

Check the availability for a Coron town tour .

4. Go parasailing

Parasailing, in my eyes, is the sort of good old-fashioned fun that never gets old.

And what could be a better place to go parasailing than in Coron Bay, where you’ll have views of Coron’s limestone islands, the rows of bangka boats in the port, and the distant green mountains? 

Check the availability for parasailing in Coron .

Coron Island Hopping Tours: Where to Stay in Coron

Most backpackers stay at Hop Hostel . In fact, it’s so popular that it is regularly sold out months in advance.

The second go-to hostel, rated highly for its cleanliness and social areas, is Michel’inn Coron . 

If you’re treating yourself to a luxury break in Coron, then you absolutely must look at the Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel on the right-hand side of Coron Bay. It has its very own turtle and giant clam sanctuary.

The Funny Lion is another popular luxury hotel in Coron, situated in a more central location.

Coron is packed with mid-budget hotels too. The difficulty is finding a good-quality, clean, and mosquito-free hotel for a good price. 

The good ones sell out way in advance, so I’d recommend taking a look early and taking advantage of a free cancellation policy should you need it.

Some of the best mid-budget hotels are:

• Bay Area Lodge
• Kalis Viewpoint Lodge Coron
• Corto del Mar Hotel
• Haisa Apartment

Where to Visit After Coron Island Hopping Tours

1. lincapan.

Lincapan, no doubt about it, is Palawan’s most underrated island. It has some of Palawan’s most pristine coral reefs, partly because it’s so far away from Palawan’s main islands and towns and the corals haven’t been damaged by irresponsible tourists or boats.

Sleeping in a hut on a remote island near Lincapan

The only way to visit Lincapan is by taking an island hopping tour from Coron to El Nido (or the reverse, from El Nido to Coron). These trips range from between three to five nights and involve travelling by a traditional bangka boat, snorkelling and cliff diving all day, and sleeping in a handmade hut on remote islands.

Island hopping in Lincapan is so special that I’ve done it twice, once in 2018 and again in late 2022. Both times I travelled with Tao Philippines .

The organisation uses some of their earnings to support the local island communities by providing education, employment, and promoting sustainable fishing and farming rather than damaging slash-and-burn methods.

El Nido is the most popular next destination for people who visit Coron. Its lagoons are huge compared to those in Coron, and a few are completely or partially concealed by high karst cliffs.

Coral reefs and high-quality beaches are, of course, another big draw. Its dive sites are also epic, and include an underwater tunnel and cavern at Dilumacad Island.

Big Lagoon, El Nido

The Taraw Cliff, a collection of sharp limestone rocks, towers over the town and bay. The cliffs have a canopy walk, a collection of stairs and boardwalks, which lead to the viewpoint.

There are also a number of luxury private island resorts a short boat ride from El Nido, including the Cauayan Island Resort and Spa and Matinloc Resort , making it popular for honeymooners and luxury travellers.

Before you go, check out my blog post on the best El Nido tour .

From El Nido, you can continue southwards through Palawan to visit Puerto Princesa, where there are cheap flight connections to other destinations in the Philippines (including Manila).

In Puerto Princesa, there’s not much to do in the city, but you can visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park located 80 kilometres north of the city.

The limestone karst underground river is more than 15 miles long, making it the second longest underground river in the world. Its ecosystem is extraordinary.

I took this full-day tour of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River from the city .

Sabang, the departure point for the underground river

Three days in Coron is enough to take two or three island hopping tours. If you want more time to take things at a slower pace, spend up to 5 days or a week in Coron.

A Coron group boat tour costs approximately 3000 PHP. A private group tour in Coron costs approximately 5,000 to 7,000 PHP.

Katie Treharne

I’m Katie, the owner of Escape Artist Katie. I have been travel writing since 2018, including writing for luxury travel magazines and publications such as Wanderlust.

As well as being a digital nomad who works and lives abroad permanently, I’m a big advocate for  offbeat travel  and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

I hope you found my article useful – find out more  about  me here or keep up with my travels on  Instagram .

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Welcome to Big Dream Boatman Expeditions.

Big Dream Boatman Expeditions specialises in award winning multi-day Island Expeditions in Coron and El Nido, Palawan.  

We have one aim : to make our guests happy... and we love what we do!

We're very proud to be Trip Advisor's Best Philippines Expedition .

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We are Big Dream Boatman Expeditions.

We specialise in award winning multi-day Island Expeditions in Coron and El Nido, Palawan.  

Instagram: @bdbm_coron

"Hidden beaches and coves, private lakes and emerald lagoons, fresh native cuisine and rustic and comfortable cabins, cottages and camping are Big Dream Boatman's signature experiences. Travel with them and you'll get to know the region's hidden gems" - Lonely Planet

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Experience the beautiful island of Coron, Palawan

Book your coron island tour now.

Select a tour package, chose a date, and pay via bank transfer or credit card. 

Booking your Coron island hopping tour is even easier than booking your plane ticket. Try it now!

You may also call or email us by clicking the icons below

The ultimate coron island tour.

DESTINATIONS

Kayangan Lake – Swimming Barracuda Lake – Swimming Twin Lagoon – Swimming Coral Garden – Snorkeling Banul Beach – Lunch Skeleton Ship Wreck – Snorkeling CYC Beach – Relaxing

Licensed Tourist Boat Licensed Tour Guide Buffet Lunch Light PM Snacks Unlimited Drinking Water (bottled water) Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off within Coron Town All Entrance Fees Guide Fees All Government Taxes

Coron Island Escapade

Bulog Dos Island Malcapuya Island Ditaytayan Island

Coron Reefs and Wrecks

East Tangat Wreck – Snorkelng Lusong Gunboat Wreck – Snorkeling Coral Garden – Snorkeling Pass Island – Swimming & Chilling

Why Book a Coron Island Hopping Tour With Us?

It’s convenient . We’ll take care of all your needs and you won’t have to pay for anything else. Boat, tour guide, entrance fees, lunch, cottage, etc. You can leave it all to us and enjoy a worry-free tour.

You save money.  We have available  Coron Island Joiners Tour packages  where you only pay a minimal cost to be part of the organized tours. You also get to meet other fellow travelers.

It’s fast.  you can directly book online, and we accept online payments including  PayPal and credit cards, as well banks and e-wallets . You can ensure that your slots are reserved early.

Is Travelling to Coron, Palawan Worth It?

If you love pristine waters, white beaches, and rich underwater life – then Coron definitely deserves a spot on your travel bucket list this 2023. 

Or perhap you just want to chill out, unwind your mind, or take a break from social media or the busy city life. 

Or simply reward yourself for the growth you’ve achieved despite the pandemic. 

Whatever that is, at CoronIslandHopping.com , we can help you book your tours conveniently.  We offer hassle-free island hopping packages, reliable payment methods, and Palawan’s own brand of hospitality.

To inquire about our island hopping packages, kindly use any of the following methods:

(1) Message Us on Facebook

(2) E-mail us at [email protected]

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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.

All the tours depart at the same time (around 9:00 am by coast guard regulation) and many follow the same route. This means that popular stops may become crowded.

Group tours usually consist of 10-15 people in one boat.

How much does the Ultimate Coron Island Tour cost?

For our tour, we paid ₽1900 per person ($45CAD or $35USD)

What was included:

• 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!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kayla (& Ben) (@adventureswechase)

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.

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.

Despite the absence of a direct view of the lake, the scenery is stunning, offering crystal-clear water clarity that reveals the continuation of the cliffs beneath the surface. During peak hours, queues can form at this viewpoint.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Personal snorkel gear Underwater Camera /Waterproof phone case Rash guard 

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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How to get from Manila to Puerto Galera (2024)

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ROYAL ISLAND WATERSPORTS

Your Home of Watersports and Premium Island Hopping Tour In CORON PALAWAN

Private yacht: coron island tour.

Experience an exclusive tour of Coron Island onboard your own private yacht that will take you to its popular and off beaten track destinations. Tour to Coron’s famous kayangan lake, barracuda lake, twin lagoon, snorkeling reefs & beaches and enjoy a convenient and fast transfer at your own pace. Perfect for families and friends, this service provides convenient and comfort, and avoid the mass tour island hopping boats

PRIVATE YACHT RENTAL RATES

Php 35,000 (maximum of 10 persons) ​

Option to add:

** Php 600 per head for the island lunch 

** Php 200 per head for snorkeling gear rental

** Php 1200 per group for the Hotel pick up and drop off

** Php 8000 per group for tour photographer (unli shots + drone shots)

PACKAGE DESCRIPTION

Inclusive of: ​

9- hour private yacht tour

Crew and licensed tour guides

Not inclusive of: ​

Entrance fees (guests will pay on the destination itself)

Choose 6-8 destinations depending on your pacing

Kayangan lake

Barracuda lake

Twin lagoon

Twin peaks coral garden

Balinsasayaw Reef

Skeleton wreck

Banol beach (lunch area)

Smith beach

Atwayan beach

Pick up information:

Choose your own time for the hotel pick up. Failure to show up at hotel lobby at those times will be considered a no-show and no refunds will be provided. 

Hotel pick up will be available in hotels centrally located in Coron Town.

Earliest pick up time available is 6:00AM if you want to beat the crowd. You can also start at 7:00AM - 9:00AM whichever you prefer.

Sample Itinerary:

7:30am - 8:00am                 hotel pick up.

8:00am – 8:30am                Yacht Departure

8:30am - 9:30am                 Kayangan lake

9:30am – 10:30am              Barracuda lake

10:30am – 12:00pm            Twin Lagoon

12:00pm – 1:30pm              Lunch at Banol beach

1:30pm – 2:30pm               Balinsasayaw Reef

2:30pm – 3:30pm               Skeleton Wreck

3:30pm – 5:00pm                CYC beach

Note: This is a sample itinerary. Your time allotted in 1 destination will vary depends on how long you want to stay in a certain destination.

Additional Information

Please note: Yacht maximum capacity is 10 persons only

The tour is not suitable for PWDs, pregnant women, and people with serious medical conditions

You are allowed to bring your own food and drinks during the yacht tour.

You can also choose to end your tour early if you have other itineraries within the day. Just inform your tour guide and driver.

If the sea is too rough, the tour may be cancelled. If the winds are too strong, the tour may also be cancelled. In such cases, you will be given the option to reschedule or get a full refund

Please note: The itinerary is for reference only and is subject to change without prior notice depending on tide and weather conditions

All guests are required to sign a liability waiver form that inform them of the risks of the activity

Lunch menu of Php 600/head consists of grilled fish, grilled liempo, shrimps, veggies, fruits, rice, bottled water

Please bring your own personal towels as we do not have towels provided on board

Coron Tours: 8 results found

Coron Island Super Ultimate Tour

Coron Island Hopping by Shared Boat

Coron Reef and Wreck Tour by Private Boat

Coron Island Hopping by Private Boat

Coron Island Super Ultimate Tour by Private Boat

Coron Town Sightseeing and Mount Tapyas Hike

Calauit and Black Island

Coron Scuba Diving

Showing all 8 results

Ultimate Coron Island Hopping Tours Guide

By: Author MC Miller

Posted on Last updated: October 23, 2022

Categories Philippines , Travel Blog Post

Wondering which are the best Coron Island Hopping Tours to spend your money on? We know the feeling!

Having tried and tested the tours we can help you pick the right tour for you.

After experiencing all there was to offer in  El Nido , we moved on to Coron (only a short boat ride away).

Like El Nido, Coron is an area where boat tours whisk you to jaw-dropping lagoons, reefs and white sand beaches.

Which Coron Tour should I take? 4 Coron Tours which Rocked!

We did the 4 main tours in Coron with JY Travel & Tours . They were all absolutely amazing!

Know which tour you’re interested in? Jump right to it here:

• Ultimate Tour
• Coron Escapade
• Calauit Safari

Coron Town Tour

Or keep reading to see what each tour has to offer to help you decide what is the best for you.

The Ultimate Tour – For those who only want 1 Tour

The Ultimate Tour is exactly as the name suggests – it showcases the best & most iconic areas Coron has to offer.

If we had time for only one tour in Coron, this would be it. The stunning lagoons and amazing landscapes are unique to Coron and something you do not see everyday.

The Ultimate Tour costs 1200 PHP per person ($22 USD).

The tour includes: hotel transfers, an experienced guide & lunch. It does not include the use of kayaks (1000 PHP per kayak).

Tips for the Ultimate Tour:

• Unlike the El Nido tours, hiring/buying reef shoes is not really a necessity. We did not hire the reef shoes and were perfectly fine;
• Bringing or hiring a snorkel is worthwhile as part of the tour involves viewing of an underwater ship wreck;
• Hiring a kayak is advantageous but not essential. You can also enjoy the Twin Lakes by swimming.

Kayangan Lake

The first destination of the day is Kayangan Lake. This is perhaps the attraction we were most excited to see in Coron due to the perfect turquoise water.

To reach this attraction, it involves a 367 step climb.

Luckily half way up, you will find an absolutely stunning view of Coron.

As this is one of the most iconic views of Coron, there was quite a line up to get this shot. Well worthwhile for a beautiful memory though!

And yes, the hike is completely worth every agonising step up as at the bottom you are rewarded with some of the clearest water in Asia with absolutely stunning natural rock formations.

The water is in fact so clear that you can see garfish swimming around you in the lake.

You are not allowed to swim in Kayangan Lake without a life jacket so make sure you bring one with you from the boat!

Barracuda Lake

Our next stop was Barracuda Lake. This was an unexpected stop and a “bonus stop” of our tour.

We thoroughly enjoyed Barracuda Lake and would recommend trying to book a tour which includes it.

If anyone is also interested in the best place to free dive in Coron – this is the place to do it! The underwater rock formations at Barracuda Lake are absolutely unreal.

We did not free dive but we had an opportunity to snorkel at Barracuda Lake and were very happy with the opportunity to be able to swim & snorkel in one of Coron’s most iconic locations.

We could also see the beautiful underwater rock formations just by snorkeling as the water is SO clear in Barracuda Lake. The visibility is unparalleled anywhere else we visited in Palawan.

Following Barracuda Lake is one spot we were eagerly awaiting. It’s one of the most iconic spots of Coron – the Twin Lake.

Twin Lake is known for the beautiful colour of water & stunning rock formations.

Here you have the opportunity to use rented kayaks. It is advisable but not absolutely necessary to kayak at Twin Lake.

After a fun time swimming & kayaking in the lake, we enjoyed a delicious lunch aboard the boat. This consisted of grilled fish, rice, vegetables, chicken & fruit.

Japanese Ship Wreck

The next stop is a Japanese ship wreck. It was very cool seeing a Japanese ship wreck from WW2 submerged underwater.

As stated above, it is advisable to hire or buy snorkel gear for this tour as it is fascinating to see the ship wreck.

The final stop of the day was CYC beach.

You can swim or use your kayak to access the beach.

Interestingly, we met a French tourist camping overnight on CYC beach. He had actually come on a day trip and asked if he could be collected the next day.

An option for anyone who wants to get back to nature for a night. Ask your tour if this is possible in advance. The tourist brought all his own supplies.

As we got back on the boat, we were treated to “Turon” a Filipino specialty which is banana wrapped in spring roll paper and fried.

Turon was one of the extra perks on our tour with JY Travel and Tours and one of the many reasons why we love them!

Coron Escapade Tour

The next tour we took of Coron was the Escapade Tour . We choose this tour as we wanted to see some spots further away from Coron where fewer tours (and tourists) go.

We recommend this tour for those looking for beautiful beaches further away from Coron.

There are less stops included in this tour as the first stop is 1.5 hours boat ride from Coron.

Tips for the Escapade Tour:

• Hiring/buying reef shoes is not really a necessity. We did not hire the reef shoes and were perfectly fine;
• Bringing or hiring a snorkel is worthwhile as the snorkeling on this tour is amazing;
• Hiring a kayak on this tour is not necessary.

Malcapuya Island

The first stop was Malcapuya Island. This Island is absolutely beautiful – white sand beaches & crystal clear water.

What we also loved about this beach was that there are plenty of tables & chairs to sit on at the beach to keep shaded in the hot weather in the Philippines.

This island is also great for off shore snorkeling so if you have brought or hired a snorkel, this is a great opportunity to see some beautiful reef life.

Banana Island

After enjoying snorkeling and swimming at Malcapuya Island, it was time to stop for lunch at Banana Island.

The JY crew prepared the most delicious lunch at Banana Island consisting of grilled fish, chicken, rice & fresh fruit.

Banana Island is also a great place to snorkel. If you feel energised after lunch we highly recommend snorkeling at Banana Island as it was one of the best snorkeling spots we experienced in the Philippines.

Metres from shore Mike found a huge school of fish on a feeding frenzy – check out our Instagram story highlights for more about this!

Bulog Dos Island

The island we were most excited about visiting for the day was Bulog Dos Island , which features a stunning white sandbar which protrudes from the beach.

Alas, we are not very lucky with sandbars. Just like our visit to Snake Island, El Nido – we visited at high tide so the ocean covered most of the sandbar.

Even though the full sandbar was not visible Bulog Dos was still an absolutely beautiful island. The snorkeling on this island is also fabulous.

There is also a viewpoint on this Island where you can get some pretty cool Instagram shots.

View this post on Instagram Paradise found ????️ Where is your happy place? . . . . . . @jytravelandtourscoron A post shared by Travel Couple ✈︎ (@coupletraveltheworld) on Nov 18, 2018 at 7:47am PST

Calauit Safari Tour

One of the reasons we were excited to visit Coron was to see African animals at the Calauit Safari.

We had seen this safari park on Instagram and were amazed that there was really African animals living in the Philippines. I mean, how cool is that?

Coron Safari

This tour starts even earlier than regular El Nido and Coron tours. The pickup time for the Coron Safari tour is 5am.

We actually didn’t realise this and managed to miss our tour one morning. Not recommended. All of the island tours in Coron start at around 8am. This is different – be prepared.

The first stop is for a local breakfast for those who want it. Breakfast is 100 pesos per person and includes 2 eggs, Filipino sausages & rice.

From here, it takes around 30 minutes to reach the entry to the safari park.

The safari park is a very interesting experience and definitely not be missed if you are in Coron.

A cool quirk of the park is that it’s located on an island reachable only by boat. It really felt like we were visiting Jurassic Park as our boat trundled up to this densely green island where rare animals awaited.

We found the boat ride over to the island to be pretty fun in itself.

When you first arrive, you get to feed the giraffes. It was so fun to be able to feed these animals. They were quite cheeky too so hold on to your branch or they will take it in one bite!

From there the rangers take you around the park to have a longer look at the animals and take photographs.

You can get fairly close to the giraffes and zebras in order to take a beautiful photo. The rangers don’t like you getting closer than 3-4 metres.

On the safari, the ranger also took us to see turtles, monkeys & a large snake.

It was a great experience and we would highly recommend it to anyone who loves animals.

After the safari, we had a quick pitstop at a local beach before heading back to the same restaurant as breakfast for lunch.

Black Island

After lunch the group split into two: those who wanted to see a waterfall & those who wanted to see Black Island.

We choose to skip the waterfall in favour of Black Island, an absolutely beautiful island off the north coast of Coron.

There is also an amazing cave on the island with a natural swimming hole. If you feel like an icey cold dip, you can even take a swim in the cave.

We arrived in Coron after a ferry ride from El Nido. The boat from El Nido arrrives at around 10am in the morning. This means it is too late to do a boat tour.

However, we didn’t need to waste any time as we were able to join the Coron Town Tour! This tour starts at 4pm in the afternoon.

Admittedly, we are not usually fans of town tours. We would rather DIY. However, as this tour requires an after dark transfer to the hot springs 30 minutes from town, we think it’s good value and more convenient than taking a tuk tuk.

We would highly recommend it if you have an extra afternoon spare while you are in Coron.

Lualhati Park

The first stop on the Coron Town Tour is Lualhati Park.

This was our least favourite spot of the tour but it was only a short stop for 10 minutes.

Basically, it is a nice river view walk/dock boat. Locals sell various souvenirs here and if you haggle, you can get a great price!

Mt Tapyas View Deck

The highlight of the Tour in our opinion was what came next – Tapyas View Deck.

The view and scenery at the View Deck is sublime.

We were not expecting this kind of countryside in the fisherman village of Coron and we were totally blown away.

In order to access the view deck, it is around a 20 minute stair climb to the top. We found it reasonably tiring (we were quite exhausted at the top).

Our guide told us that older people still manage to make it so it is definitely a doable hike!

From on side of the mountain a view deck with a beautiful vista of Coron town. On the other side is beautiful yellow rolling countryside like the one pictured below.

Mt Tapyas View Deck is the perfect place to enjoy a beautiful sunset.

One of the reasons for the late start of this tour is so you can sit down and enjoy the sun set over Coron.

Maquinit Hot spring

After a steep climb uphill, what is better than relaxing tired muscles under the stars?

We weren’t sure what to expect of Maquinit Hot Spring but we were pleasantly surprised.

The hot spring was so relaxing. It is extremely hot though and hard to stay in longer than 20-30 minutes at a time.

Luckily, there is a little cafe where you can buy cheap drinks and relax around the hot springs while you steam off.

Our group preferred to stay longer at the bigger attractions. There were a few attractions we missed in this tour: Town Plaza, Souvenir Shops, St Augustine Church & the cashew harvest.

What is great about JY Travel & Tours – they listen to the needs of the group and their preferences.

We loved that the tour is adaptable to individuals interests.

Which Tour Company? JY Travel & Tour

All Tours of Coron we did with JY Travel & Tours. We couldn’t recommend this company highly enough.

The staff were fun, professional and looked after our safety the entire time. They were also very helpful with information about the surrounds.

Not only are the staff fabulous but they serve a fabulous lunch consisting of grilled fish, chicken, pork, prawns, grilled vegetables, rich & fruit.

If you are looking for a tour in Coron, we would highly recommend this company.

You can find more information on  JY Travel & Tour   website . You can also them on Facebook &  Instagram .

Where to Stay in Coron

There are so many great places to stay in Coron to suit all budgets.

Click here to search all accommodation in Coron during your dates.

We would recommend staying in town rather than outside of town as there tends to be better access to internet! We stayed in a very clean & comfortable place in town with a great view.

To see where we stayed in Coron click here !

We were guests at JY Travel & Tour as part of these tours. However, as always, all opinions are our own.

We hope this helped you plan your Coron tour! If you have anything to add or need some advice, leave a comment below!

Save this ‘Coron Tour Guide’ to Pinterest so you can find it again later!

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://coupletraveltheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/What-to-do-in-Coron-Philippines.png” alt=”What to do in Coron Philippines” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://coupletraveltheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/The-Best-Tours-Coron.png” alt=”The Best Tours Coron” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://coupletraveltheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Things-to-do-in-Coron-and-what-tour-to-take.png” alt=”Things-to-do-in-Coron-and-what-tour-to-take” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”left” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

MC Miller is a travel blogger and writer who has travelled America extensively and abroad to over 80 countries. He founded Couple Travel The World in 2017. Since then, he has spent over 6 years on the road as a full time travel couple. When he not traveling he likes to spend quality time with his partner Bett, planning our their next date or romantic getaway!

Thursday 27th of February 2020

OMG! I have been to Palawan at least 5 times and just falls in love with the place even more each time.

coupletraveltheworld

Saturday 29th of February 2020

Palawan is truly amazing. Did you take any of the tours in Coron? Between visiting the islands and meeting the friendly locals we fell in love too

Island Hopping in the Philippines

Discover 7,107 islands of beach paradise

Custom private multi-day boat tours between El Nido and Coron

Palawan has been voted three years in a row as the best island in the world . And what better way to explore the 7,000+ islands in the Philippines than by island hopping? The area between the popular tourist destinations of El Nido and Coron is adorned with 82 paradise white sand beach islands off the beaten path.

Most people take the ferry, missing all the jewels in between, others join group tours , but if you want to avoid the crowds and proceed at your own pace, a custom private tour is the best. We also organize private custom tours around El Nido and Coron only, or a combination package of all of them.

Check out these beautiful photos and videos of the area and send us a note below so we can find the perfect solution for you. The snorkeling is fantastic and you can borrow our speargun, kayaks, wakeboard and wakesurf board .

Our standard 4 day 3 nights tour for two people is $2,500 all-inclusive , on our standard, different sized banca boats . Discount available if you help us with promotion.

For the luxury at heart, there is also the catamaran yacht option , where you can sleep on board in comfortable accommodation. Or for those in a rush, they can also take our speedboat in a single day, while still checking out tons of beautiful, secluded beaches along the way.

For an instant quote based on a different number of people or days:

Get away from the crowds, choose your own places to see and accommodation ! Based on your stated preferences and our discussions with you, we can work out the perfect master plan for you, such as these sample itineraries for our previous customer. Or here is a general synopsis of what we offer.

Check out our fantastic reviews !

Just fill in this quick form so that we can start chatting, or email us to info [AT] islandhoppinginthephilippines [DOT] com

Island hopping in breathtaking beauty off the beaten path

Perfect for romantic honeymoon couples or small families who want to get away from hustle bustle tourism and enjoy their vacation at their own pace, leisure and solitude. You can camp out on your own deserted island, enjoy fantastic coral snorkelling in amazingly clean waters, stay in romantic bamboo huts with air-conditioning, meet the real, warm hearted and local Filipinos, and soak in nature at its best.

Alternatively you can join another group or form your own to reduce costs.

Check out some amazing island hopping videos of this beautiful region in the world

Scenes from our own private custom expedition tours between El Nido and Coron:

More videos here .

Awesome reviews of our boat tour services

Google reviews from our customers.

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More reviews

FAQ and send us a quick note so we can find the perfect, private custom solution for you

What are the prices of your island hopping boat tours.

The prices of our boat tours depend on which tour it is. If you are joining a group the price is different than if hiring your own boat and crew. If it is your own private tour, usually it depends on the number of days and people. For the multiday expeditions between El Nido and Coron, there is a price calculator to give you an instant quote. As an example, a four day tour for two people would cost $2,500usd. For other tours, several factors may come into play, in which case it would be best to just write to us directly through the contact form below.

What type of tours do you offer?

We offer the following types of tours:

• private single day boat tours in El Nido and Coron
• joiner group tours for scuba diving in Coron
• marriage proposal or honeymoon tour
• private multiday boat tours between El Nido and Coron
• joiner multiday group tours between El Nido and Coron
• others are possible and we always aim to please. Just ask!

When is the best time of year to visit the Philippines?

There are several factors to consider:

• peak or low tourist season

For weather, the best time of year is during the dry (not rainy) season, which starts roughly around December and ends by the start of June. You can check out our weather forecast page for more details. But even during the rainy season, generally the rain is intense and short (often only a couple of hours), and past midnight, so that during the day it is often sunny – perhaps just a little cooler than during the dry season, which some may prefer.

The peak season is roughly from December to the end of February, but that means you will be sharing the sites with a lot of others, and the prices can go up in some places. Therefore, if you like to get away from the crowds and enjoy the beautiful scenery in greater peace, while it is still sunnier in general, you might prefer March to the end of May.

Important regions of the Philippines: Palawan , Visayas

The Best Group Tours in Coron (2023 Reviews + Itineraries)

01/22/2023 by Ashley Yap Leave a Comment

This post was written by Ashley Yap, BMTM’s Director of Brand Relations.

Coron is seriously beautiful. The island is known for its world-famous freshwater lagoons and majestic limestone cliffs. Every year, tourists from all over the world flock to try this enchanting paradise. I’ve been looking forward to visiting for years, and when the opportunity finally came, I decided I wanted a taste of everything.

During my week-long visit to Coron, Palawan, I took a mix of private and group tours and enjoyed some better than others. Here are my honest reviews and advice to help you plan your time on this beautiful island:

Table of Contents

Big Dream Boat Man Coron Island Life Expedition, $450

The BDBM Coron Island Life Expedition may have been my favorite adventure in the Philippines. For three days, I and a small group of fellow travelers from all around the world joined the BDBM crew as they took us to both the iconic spots in Coron, such as the Twin Lagoon and Kayangan Lake, and also secret places off the beaten path, such as this gorgeous cay that reminds me of the Maldives:

We spent our days swimming in the ocean, eating delicious seafood, and taking naps on the multihull nets by our adorable Banka boat in between. We slept in cottages under the stars at night, with nobody else around us. It was truly an adventure like no other and a refreshing experience compared to the typical island hopping tours available all over town. I cannot recommend this expedition enough and would love to check out their Coron to El Nido or El Nido to Coron adventure the next time I visit.

Initially, the price tag may seem exorbitant, but you are covered with three days of island hopping, all meals and drinks (including alcohol), and three nights of island-style accommodation. With a bit of calculation, you will find it’s truly worth the money! For an in-depth review and itinerary on the BDBM Coron Island Life Expedition, click to read this post .

Book the tour here!

Coron Super Ultimate Day Tour, $28.95

If your time on Coron island is short, and you only have enough time for one day trip, the Coron Super Ultimate Day Tour covers all the highlights, including Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, two reef gardens, and two beaches. I joined the group tour expecting it to be a little bit overwhelming but was pleasantly surprised by how well spread out the day was, and our group even had Kayangan Lake all to ourselves for a good 15 minutes.

For $28.95, this tour includes hotel transfers, a professional English-speaking guide who is informational and entertaining, seven stops, and a buffet lunch break on the beach. The pace of the tour is relaxing, with ample time at each stop and a well-thought-out route that allows rest in between stops.

You can rent snorkeling gear for 150 PHP, which is generally true for both Coron and El Nido island hopping group tours. I was happy to have my own snorkeling gear. Bring a refillable water bottle, water shoes, and reef-safe sunscreen for this tour.

Coron Island Escapade Day Tour, $28.25

The Coron Island Escapade Day Tour covers Malcapuya island, Ditaytayan island, and Bulog Dos island, three beautiful spots with unique views and decent snorkeling on Malcapuya island, of which you have the option of swimming out from the beach or paying 100 PHP for a small boat to pull you over while you hold on to the planks on the side of the boat. I opted for the latter simply because I had never tried that method and found the experience amusing.

To be honest, I have mixed feelings about this tour. It’s definitely value for money given the distance from Coron Town Proper to these islands, but it felt like we spent more time on the boat than on the islands on this tour. I also didn’t like that the small boat’s guide (not from the tour) fed the fish biscuits and fiddled with the corals to get the fish out, so people can get great photos. Overall, given that I had joined the BDBM expedition and visited many islands earlier, I was not blown away by this tour.

That being said, if you are looking for a relaxing day tour with lots of time spent sunbathing and swimming, this is the tour for you. interested in joining this tour, I recommend bringing along a Kindle to kill time on the boat. I also recommend swimming out alone instead of paying for the small boat to snorkel on Malcapuya island.

All of the above tours are great if you are traveling solo and would like to meet others on your trip, but if you are in a group or simply prefer privacy, a private tour may make more sense:

Private Island Hopping Tour, prices vary

Private tours are expensive, for good reasons. On group tours, I often wish we had more time on certain stops and less on others, but that’s not really up to me. Customizing your itinerary is only possible with a private tour; at each stop, you can come and go as you please. I also noticed that group tours departing from Coron town follow the same route, so unless you happen to be the first boat out, you will share space with others. On a private tour, you can organize the boat to leave much earlier in the day so that you get to experience the popular places without the crowds.

Here are your options if you plan to do a private island hopping tour:

• Coron Tour A (CYC Beach, coral garden, Atwayan Beach, Siete Pecado, and Kayangan Lake): $106.15 for 1, $128.90 for 2, $152.97 for 3-5, and so on.
• Coron Tour B (Barracuda Lake, Skeleton Wreck, Banol Beach, Twin Lagoon, and Reef Garden): $107.25 for 1, $129.80 for 2, $149.97 for 3-5, and so on.
• Coron Tour C (Coco Beach, Ditaytayan Island, and Malcapuya Island): $151.15 for 1, $88.85 for 2, $66.90 for 3-5, and so on.

All of these tours include hotel transfers, buffet lunch, snorkeling masks, and entrance fees.

Based on the pricing, it’s definitely worth taking up a private tour if you are a group of 5 or more. Now, what if you want complete control of the itinerary? Head straight to the dock (tell the tricycle driver you want to go to Calamian dock, and he’ll know what you mean), and negotiate with the boat drivers yourself. Here’s a detailed guide on organizing a private Coron island hopping tour.

Coron Town Private Half Day Tour, prices vary.

I wanted to check out Mt. Tapyas and Maquinit Hotspring during my stay on Coron island. I rented a bike for half the day for $7 and went on my own . If you are not confident on a bike, the Coron Town Half Day Tour will be the best solution since it takes you to both spots, plus Lualhati Park, a cashew factory, and St. Agustin Church. This is a private tour, and prices are $59.19 for 1, $37.35 for 2, $34.95 for 3-5, and so on. As you can see, this tour only makes sense if you are at least 2, so if you are a solo traveler and are not confident on a bike, I suggest negotiating with a tricycle driver to take you to these places at a cheaper rate.

I hope this guide helps you plan your Coron island hopping tour! I really enjoyed my time in Coron and would highly recommend visiting. Read these next to continue planning your Coron itinerary:

Best Places to Stay in Coron

Mount tapyas hiking guide (+ maquinit hotspring), coron budget guide, about ashley yap.

Ashley is the manager of Be My Travel Muse, one of the biggest solo female travel blogs in the world. She's traveled solo to over 20 countries, spending months in each for an immersive experience.

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