3 Days in Coron (Palawan): A Manila Getaway

We set off for a 3-day trip to Coron, an island designated as a national reserve located in the north of the Palawan province in the Philippines. Here is the story of our journey.

Planning the trip

We departed from Aquino Airport in Manila, the Philippine capital, headed for Francisco Reyes Airport in Busuanga, Coron, on a small plane for a one-hour flight.

We booked a flight+hotel package on sale through a local travel agency's website, which was much more economical than buying the plane tickets and hotel separately. Currently, Manila-Coron tickets are quite expensive (+ 200 euros round trip).

Once we arrived at the airport, we had to rent a van to reach the town of Coron and our hotel.

We stayed at the Sunz en Coron hotel, which is run by a Korean owner. I recommend this hotel, located just outside the town center. You can take a free tricycle ride to get into town.

It’s a small hotel made up of cottage-style rooms with palm-leaf roofs and wood construction.

Our boat excursion

We stayed on the island for 3 days, enough time to explore and take the opportunity to meet the locals. Coron stretches about 20 kilometers from north to south and up to 8 kilometers from east to west. As mentioned above, this entire territory has been protected since it became part of a national reserve created in 1967. The area is well-known to divers for the clarity of its water and also for the Japanese shipwrecks dating back to World War II.

We rented a boat with a guide who took us to the neighboring islands and must-see spots. Our guide was fantastic: she showed us paradisiacal places, provided us with snorkeling gear, and cooked us some excellent meals!!!

The boat we rented is a banka, a traditional Philippine watercraft. On board, we were able to explore a good part of the island:

• Kayangan Lake
• Twin Lagoon
• Barracuda lake
• Coral garden
• Coron bay
• Banol beach
• and Banana beach

Kayangan Lake

At Kayangan Lake, fresh water mixes with seawater. To get there, you have to climb a hill and head back down via bamboo stairs.

It’s quite crowded, but the environment is still pleasant for relaxing and taking photos.

Then we continued our boat trip.

Twin Lagoon

To get to Twin Lagoon, you have to swim under a rock overhang, and you arrive in a turquoise-colored lake. There are two lagoons side-by-side, which is why they are called the "twin" lagoons. The water was a bit chilly.

Banana Island and my favorite, Banol Beach

We stopped on Banana Island for lunch, then headed toward Banol Beach (my personal favorite). Banol Beach is a secluded beach on an island in the middle of nowhere. We ate there (again!!!!). The beach is small, but offers spectacular views thanks to the rock peaks that rise up all around us, truly magnificent.

Barracuda Lake

Then we headed to Barracuda Lake, a lake where scuba divers love to go because it is very deep and the water is crystal clear. Rest assured, there are no barracuda fish there!!!! You access it via bamboo stairs.

Mount Tapyas and walking tours

The next day, we went to Mt. Tapyas very early in the morning. It’s quite a workout because you have to climb hundreds of steps, but it’s definitely worth it, especially to see the sunrise.

Back in Coron Town, we enjoyed the small town center with its market and little restaurants serving local specialties.

I loved Coron because it has remained authentic and hasn't been spoiled by tourists. The people are truly kind and warm. It’s a place that is environmentally protected, which is a good thing. Exploring the coral and the Japanese shipwrecks with thousands of fish is truly excellent.

I hope to be able to return in the future and not have the unpleasant surprise of seeing the effects of mass tourism if it were to develop in an unchecked way.