CORON TRAVEL GUIDE: 22 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN CORON

Add Coron, Palawan to your bucket list, because I’m about to share with you an epic adventure itinerary, which was so breathtaking it blew my mind! What to do in Coron? A small warm-up hike followed by two days of island hopping amongst the most breathtaking scenery and the clearest water I have ever laid my eyes on. Finish it with a soak in the magical hot springs. This blog post details all of my favorite things to do in Coron and how to beat the crowds.

In this blog post, I will first show you the viewpoint that helps you make sense of where you are and then help you decide how you want to plan your island hopping excursions to Coron Island. At the bottom of the post, you will also find my tips on where to stay before and after your island hopping tours. I hope you are staying for a week because there are so many awesome things to do in Coron.

22 AWESOME THINGS TO DO IN CORON

 

#1 HIKE UP MT. TAPYAS

Arriving in a new place, it’s sometimes tough to get your bearings to begin with. One of the best ways to figure out the layout of the town or city is to get to the highest viewpoint and take it all in. Coron has a great little trek that leads you up 742 steps to the summit of Mt. Tapyas. Don’t be intimidated, you can make it! A Hollywood-style ‘CORON’ sign is perched on the hill below a giant cross. The cross is covered in lights and is quite impressive at night. The hike will only take 10-15 minutes and the view is worth the effort. My tip is to walk out the back for 30 minutes exploring the hill trails as it is quite beautiful out there too!

There is actually a really interesting half-day town tour you can join for just $10 USD. It takes you to Mt. Tapyas, Maquinit Hot Springs and a couple of other sights around the town on a nice half-day town tour! It’s a great way to offset the overdose of epic island hopping you will do while in Coron. You can check the availability and book the tour by Clicking Here.

From the summit we could spot the port, hundreds of homes built only a few feet above the water and we also had a great view of the ocean and surrounding islands. The highlight of the Mt. Tapyas hike was the back side of the viewpoint. Rolling hills transported me out of the Philippines to a far away countryside for a brief moment. I never knew the Philippines would have landscapes like this.

View full blog post: HIKE UP MOUNT TAPYAS STAIRS IN CORON, PALAWAN – PHILIPPINES

 

CORON ISLAND HOPPING INFORMATION

Most people who visit Coron come for the epic island-hopping. Both TOUR A and TOUR B are equally epic with free-diving, snorkeling, and incredible lagoons of Coron Island. Both tours also include a seafood banquet lunch to eat on a beautiful island. To book either of the tours you can click below or continue reading and each location that I detail below also says which tour it belongs to so you can book the tour depending on which spots you want to visit the most. There are also TOUR C and TOUR D, which are equally as beautiful but away from the crowds and to quieter islands. They are still visited daily but not by the hundreds of tourists that flock to Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon.

To book your ISLAND HOPPING A TOUR you can Click Here to check the availability and book online (It’s just $20 USD)

• It includes Kayangan Lake, Coral Garden Snorkel, Cyc Beach and Lunch

To book your ISLAND HOPPING B TOUR you can Click Here to check the availability and book online (It’s just $20 USD)

• It includes Barracuda Lake, Banol Beach, Snorkel at Skeleton Wreck, Twin Lagoon

To book your ISLAND HOPPING C TOUR you can Click Here to check the availability and book online (It’s just $20 USD)

• It includes Malcapuya Island, Bulog Dos Island, Snorkeling, Private, Banana Island Lunch

To book your ISLAND HOPPING D TOUR you can Click Here to check the availability and book online (It’s just $20 USD)

• It includes Snorkeling Lusong Gun Boat, Coral Garden Snorkel, Snorkeling, Visit Pass Island

CORON ISLAND HOPPING INFO CONTINUED…’BIG DREAMBOAT MAN’

I also did a 3-day/4night tour of Coron with a company called Big Dream Boat Man, which is a 3-night Coron island hopping tour expedition that is different from the rest. Instead of battling the crowds, the sea of life-jackets and the lines, Big Dream Boat Man takes you to the hotspots such as Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon before the crowds come. After spending one day at the hotspots, Big Dream Boat Man veers away and guides you on an expedition to some of the hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path locations in Coron, which in my opinion were equally as impressive if not more so than the famous spots on Coron Island. We free-dived at WWII shipwrecks,  camped on secluded beaches, swam with stingrays, counted the stars from the beach at night, and ate like kings during our island hopping tour with Big Dream Boat Man.

Make an inquiry/booking: To visit the website to check the tour itineraries, costs, and availability of dates you can click here: Big Dream Boat Man Website.

If you want to read the big blog post about my Big Dream Boat Man 4-day journey you can head over to read that by clicking here.

 

# 2 KAYANGAN LAKE

Kayangan Lake is by far the most popular spot on Coron Island and for good reason. You cruise into the ‘parking lot’, which in itself is an immaculate reef with crystal clear water. After parking the boat you take a short hike up the stairs to the viewpoint before clambering down the other side to reach the famous Kayangan Lake. It’s a crystal clear freshwater lake with unbelievable underwater rock formations. It’s easily one of my favorite free-dive spots in the world. Make sure you head over the left side of the lake for the epic free-dive location. 

Kayangan Lake is part of the ISLAND HOPPING A TOUR you can Click Here to check the availability and book online (It’s just $20 USD)

• It includes Kayangan Lake, Coral Garden Snorkel, Cyc Beach and Lunch

View full blog post: KAYANGAN LAKE IN CORON ISLAND, PALAWAN

 

 #3 TWIN LAGOON

Twin Lagoon is a stunning pool of water hiding amongst the breathtaking cliffs. Through a small gap, you can swim under the cliff and into Twin Lagoon. Once inside the lagoon, you are surrounded in all directions by the towering, dagger-like cliffs as you float away from your worries in a private swimming pool.

Twin Lagoon is part of the ISLAND HOPPING B TOUR you can Click Here to check the availability and book online (It’s just $20 USD)

• It includes Barracuda Lake, Banol Beach, Snorkel at Skeleton Wreck, Twin Lagoon

#4 SKELETON WWII SHIPWRECK SNORKEL

Something I was quite excited about was free diving at Skeleton Wreck. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Coron for free-divers. It’s a mostly intact WWII ship that found its resting place in Coron, Palawan. Thousands of fish surrounded the wreck and swarmed us as we swam. To get down deep enough at the level of the wreck you will need to dive about 15ft but you can still get a great view from the surface. One of the guides managed to free-dive into the cabin of the ship and out of the window.

To book your ISLAND HOPPING B TOUR you can Click Here to check the availability and book online (It’s just $20 USD)

• It includes Barracuda Lake, Banol Beach, Snorkel at Skeleton Wreck, Twin Lagoon

View full blog post: EXPLORING SKELETON WRECK IN CORON, PALAWAN

#5 VIVIAN BEACH 

For lunch, you can always expect a huge spread of kinds of seafood, meats, and salads with Big Dream Boat Man. Josh and I are vegetarian and the chef catered to us for the entire trip with lots of variation and hearty meals. Vivan Beach is probably the most scenic lunch spot of your life with jagged cliffs surrounding lunch huts on a tiny white sand beach.

#6 LUSONG GUNBOAT SHIPWRECK SNORKEL 

From the surface, it doesn’t look like much but as soon as you dip your head underwater, the Lusong Gun Boat from WWII will blow you away. This huge ship is angled perfectly for freedivers because the rear of the ship is only about 2-feet deep while the nose of the ship is more than 20-feet deep. This means all levels of free-divers and snorkelers can get an up-close look of this sunken WWII ship. Barnacles, corals, and fish have taken over the ship as their home and if you are game you can dive through the panels of the ship!

Lusong Gun boat is part of  ISLAND HOPPING D TOUR you can Click Here to check the availability and book online (It’s just $20 USD)

• It includes Snorkeling Lusong Gun Boat, Coral Garden Snorkel, Snorkeling, Visit Pass Island

 

#7 CORAL GARDEN REEF SNORKEL

Just around the corner from the Lusong Gunboat shipwreck is a phenomenal snorkeling spot. Our guide Anthony described told us it would be one of the best snorkeling spots we had ever seen and we weren’t let down. Huge corals of all different colors blanketed the ocean floor before a dark drop-off invited free-divers to explore further!

 

#8 BANANA ISLAND CAMPING

Banana Island is an incredibly chill spot with coconut trees lining the white sand beach. This island is hammock central and the perfect place to unwind in the shade for a siesta. This is a great island for a kayak, snorkel and swims in the beautiful warm water the Philippines if so famous for.

 

SOUTH CAY

The South and North Cays are both prime camping spots. We camped on the north but we could see another small group with a bonfire camping on the South Cay just across the way on their own little private island. Take the kayak over from the North Cay if you are up for an exploration adventure.

 

#9 NORTH CAY CAMPING

We arrived at the North Cay for the last light of the day and it was some of the best conditions I have ever had for aerial photography. It took me an hour and two batteries just to get off the boat and stop flying. What the others didn’t know is that I had just enjoyed the reef, water, and islands more than anyone with an hour-long aerial tour in the golden hour. After I pulled myself together I headed off to check out our ‘glamping situation’, which was a tent with a mattress, sheet, and pillow. It was one of the best nights sleep I’ve had in a while as a soft breeze came through the top of the tent. There are toilet and shower facilities on the island.

Just before sunset, we took on our guides in a 2v2 basketball match and somehow squared with them at one game apiece in a game we won’t forget soon. Great fun with great people. Sunset was spent at the viewpoint on a small hill before we ventured back to the camping area, lit a bonfire and shared some drinks under the stars.

Breakfast was served by the crew on a table and chairs on our private stretch of beach during the first light. It’s moments like these where you pinch yourself and wonder if it’s a dream. Our time on the North Cay was incredibly relaxing and a great time with the crew!

This location was visited as part of our 3-day/4-night Coron Island hopping experience with Big Dream Boat Man. To visit the website to check the tour itineraries, costs and availability of dates you can click here: Big Dream Boat Man Website. 

#10 BLACK ISLAND 

After packing up early at North Cay, we headed to Black Island. The water was so glassy it was reflecting like a mirror as we edged ever closer to the ominous looking Black Island. When we arrived there was only one other boat there with two people chilling in a hut. We docked the boat and I went for a flight with the drone in another unforgettable aerial session. Looking directly down from the top of the cliff was an angle that just blew my mind as I saw the scale of the cliffs compared to our boat. We snorkeled here with some epic conditions for free-diving, amazing clarity and a wide variety of corals. 

This location was visited as part of our 3-day/4-night Coron Island hopping experience with Big Dream Boat Man. To visit the website to check the tour itineraries, costs and availability of dates you can click here: Big Dream Boat Man Website.  

View full blog post: EXPLORING BLACK ISLAND (MALAJON ISLAND) IN CORON, PHILIPPINES

#11 BLACK ISLAND CAVING

After our snorkel, we headed inland onto Black Island to check out the caves. The first cave was huge with at least 40-feet between floor and ceiling. Two crystal-clear pools shone as the morning light flooded into the cave. You can swim and even cliff jump into both or simply admire the stalactites and rock formations from within the depths of the cave. We then headed down to the other end of the beach and climbed up through another cave this time emerging onto a private beach around the corner where our guides met us with snorkel guy and the SUP. We explored this area and laid out on the beach. These were dream moments, isolated in paradise.

 

#12 DIBUTONAY ISLAND

Dibutonay Island was another secluded island with a great reef for snorkeling. It had one section of reef that was separated from the island and bursting with fish, marine life and unique coral. After a long morning of snorkeling, we ended up almost passing out on the beach only to be revived with a fresh coconut from the crew legends.

 

#13 MALTATAYOC ISLAND

Maltatayoc Island is beautiful sandbar but we had come for the underwater world. Here we searched for and found multiple stingrays and the crew told us small black-tip sharks (not dangerous) are often spotted in this area. The snorkeling was amazing again and by this point, I was in awe at the level of reef and snorkeling spots in the region famous for its cliffs and lagoons.

This location was visited as part of our 3-day/4-night Coron Island hopping experience with Big Dream Boat Man. To visit the website to check the tour itineraries, costs and availability of dates you can click here: Big Dream Boat Man Website. 

 

#14 PASS ISLAND OVERNIGHT STAY

Pass Island was another camping spot on our Big Dream Boat Man Coron Island hopping tour. Like with North Cay, we arrived just in time for the golden hour and I enjoyed the aerial view will chilling under a coconut tree. On the island, there are a few huts where you sleep and bathroom facilities. A basketball court and sunset viewpoint are the other highlights on this tiny private island for you and the crew to enjoy.

This location was visited as part of our 3-day/4-night Coron Island hopping experience with Big Dream Boat Man. To visit the website to check the tour itineraries, costs and availability of dates you can click here: Big Dream Boat Man Website. 

View full blog post: PASS ISLAND IN CORON PALAWAN (OVERNIGHT STAY)

 

#15 DITAYTAYAN ISLAND

On the final morning of our Coron island hopping tour expedition with Big Dream Boat Man, we headed off to Ditaytayan Island. While most boats stop at the beautiful sand bar we headed around the back side to explore the beach and what we found was a lot (I mean A LOT!) of trash. Together with the crew, we collected three huge garbage bags of trash to take back to Coron Town. It was great to see the crew pushing for this and it’s something they try and do on every trip. We also snorkeled here in another amazing reef location before exploring the sand bar and the beaches on Ditaytayan Island.

This location was visited as part of our 3-day/4-night Coron Island hopping experience with Big Dream Boat Man. To visit the website to check the tour itineraries, costs, and availability of dates you can click here: Big Dream Boat Man Website. 

 

#16 SUNSET LAGOON AND CAVE

Our final stop was to the Sunset Lagoon and Cave. Once again we magically arrived with the perfect lighting just like the entire trip. The aerial photography here blew my mind again as I pushed the distance limits on the drone. The lagoon is a small inlet, with towering cliffs closing in around you. We went for a paddle on the SUP before snorkeling into the incredible cave that is like a private room within the cliff once you swim inside!

This location was visited as part of our 3-day/4-night Coron Island hopping experience with Big Dream Boat Man. To visit the website to check the tour itineraries, costs and availability of dates you can click here: Big Dream Boat Man Website. 

#17 SIETE PECADOS MARINE PARK

Next stop was a snorkel at Siete Pecados. The coral was like an underwater fossilized forest. Each snorkel is always different and this was no exception. Starfish, hundreds of different fish and fluorescent coral.

Siete Pecados is part of the ISLAND HOPPING A TOUR you can Click Here to check the availability and book online (It’s just $20 USD)

• It includes Kayangan Lake, Coral Garden Snorkel, Cyc Beach and Lunch

 

#18 ATWAYAN BEACH

Atwayan Beach is one of the designated lunch spots on the island-hopping tours. Honestly, the island lunches are one of my favorite things to do in Coron. We ate in a small hut on Atwayan Beach while looking out over the glistening bay.

 

#19 CYC BEACH

We threw down the kayak and paddled a whole hundred yards to Cyc Beach. A reggae crew drank, sang and played music on the shore. We chatted for a while before exploring the mangroves and rocky coastline.

Cyc Beach is part of the ISLAND HOPPING A TOUR you can Click Here to check the availability and book online (It’s just $20 USD)

• It includes Kayangan Lake, Coral Garden Snorkel, Cyc Beach and Lunch

#20 BULOG DOS ISLAND

Depending on the time of day you visit will depend if the sandbars connect. I climbed to the top of the hill and almost destroyed my camera in a tumble down the rock face after my handhold crumbled. I knew I wanted a better vantage point of the whole scene and in the end, I think it was worth it.

A higher-end resort lays claim to most of the land on the island but it is a great place to visit. I have a thing for sandbars too so I was in heaven.

Bulog Dos Island is part of ISLAND HOPPING C TOUR you can Click Here to check the availability and book online (It’s just $20 USD)

• It includes Malcapuya Island, Bulog Dos Island, Snorkeling, Private, Banana Island Lunch

 

#20 BANANA ISLAND CORON

Lunch was at Banana Island which might need to be renamed ‘The Hammock Island’. We enjoyed another amazing spread for lunch including oysters, squid, grilled pork, salads, and fruit. After lunch, everyone got into the hammocks and had a mini siesta in the shade. I am terrible at relaxing and switching off but even I hung out in the hammock for twenty minutes. The awesome part of touring with Casa Fidelis was the lax schedule. If we wanted to a hammock for an hour it would have been fine.

Banana Island is part of ISLAND HOPPING C TOUR you can Click Here to check the availability and book online (It’s just $20 USD)

• It includes Malcapuya Island, Bulog Dos Island, Snorkeling, Private, Banana Island Lunch

 

#21 MALCAPUYA ISLAND CORON

Our last island to visit on our adventure was Malcapuya. A stunning stretch of sand, lined with coconut trees made the perfect spot for our afternoon chill session. There is a little viewpoint on the left side of the beach and caves to explore on the right. Coconuts are harvested by locals who free-climb the trees and cut the coconut. It doesn’t get any fresher.

Malcapuya Island is part of  ISLAND HOPPING C TOUR you can Click Here to check the availability and book online (It’s just $20 USD)

• It includes Malcapuya Island, Bulog Dos Island, Snorkeling, Private, Banana Island Lunch

For some reason on this Philippines trip I keep meeting white dogs on beautiful white sandy beaches.

 

 

#22 MAQUINIT HOT SPRING

Now that the island hopping was over, it was time to relax with a nice warm (public) bath!

Only a 20-minute drive from Coron town in a tricycle is a hot spring oasis in the mountains. Amazingly the hot spring also has a view of the ocean and it is a salt-water hot spring. The sunset was beautiful and lit the sky up with deep pinks and purples. I enjoyed it too much to get my camera out quick enough but this is what the hot springs look like. It is busy but there is enough space for everyone to chill around the edge. Sometimes I prefer places to be empty but the Maquinit Hot Spring had a really chill vibe with everyone enjoying their bath under the stars.

There is actually a really interesting half-day town tour you can join for just $10 USD. It takes you to Mt. Tapyas, Maquinity Hot Springs and a couple of other sights around the town on a nice half-day town tour! It’s a great way to offset the overdose of epic island hopping you will do while in Coron. You can check the availability and book the tour by Clicking Here.

 

WHERE TO STAY IN CORON TOWN BEFORE YOUR CORON ISLAND HOPPING TOUR

Read my full blog post: Best hotels, hostels, and resorts in Coron

Save money in Coron by staying at an Airbnb! Get a FREE $40 Airbnb Coupon by using my code when you book! I use Airbnb on about half of my travels and find you always get more value than a hotel.

Coron Town is the base for all of your adventures in Coron. In Coron Town you have the bars, restaurants, transport, places to book tours and you are close to Mt. Tapyas and Maquinit Hot Spring. It is also just a $3 shuttle to the airport. Below are my three picks plus one all-inclusive resort (I’ve stayed multiple times) that includes private island hopping.

Budget Pick: Fat Monkey Hostel – The Fat Monkey Hostel has great vibes and you can get a really cheap dorm room or a basic double room at pretty much the lowest price in Coron. It is in the city center so you are close to all the bars and restaurants.

Value Pick: Kokosnuss Garden Resort – A huge swimming pool in front of a hotel that looks like a castle. A highly-rated breakfast is included with your private room. For just $40 a night this represents about the best value you will find in Coron.

Luxury Pick: Coron Soleil Garden Resort – I stayed at this resort in 2018 and it was incredibly nice. A huge pool stretches down the length of the resort and it’s a relaxing place to chill out after island hopping. The rooms are very luxurious but this resort is actually only just over $100 per night for a double room.

All-inclusive (Includes private island hopping): Casa Fidelis Resort – I had the most amazing stay at Casa Fidelis. The villa had a large patio area that looked out over the garden. Stepping stones led you from the room to the dining area, where we had decadent spreads of gourmet food for every meal. Casa 

I highly recommend this resort if you are looking for an entire Coron experience. You won’t have to worry about what to do in Coron. It is a perfect resort if you want to see the best of this beautiful region and you can also enjoy the luxury of having every detail taken care of. 

ARE YOU KEEPING UP WITH MY CORON SERIES?

If you want to experience best island-hopping tour in Coron (4 Days & 3 Nights), which includes camping on private islands, all meals, drinks and parties then you can check out my Big Dream Boat Man Coron Tour Review.

I’ve been to Coron three times and have written a huge guide about all the amazing things you can do in Coron. The list is now up to 22 different spots which you can catch in my Coron Travel Guide: 22 Awesome Things To Do

Only have a few days in Coron and want to know how best to spend your valuable time? I’ve written a detailed Coron Itinerary for 3-4 days that will help you plan out your days and activities.

If you are wondering about where I suggest for accommodation and where I have stayed, I wrote a blog post about the Best Places to Stay in Coron. It’s a pretty detailed list with budget, luxury and value picks.

Aside from the island hopping there are two must-do activities. The first is the Maquinit Hot springs and the second is climbing up Mt. Tapyas for the best view in Coron.

Or you might want to jump to a few of my favorite spots in Coron:

Blog post about Kayangan Lake

Blog post about Black Island

Blog post about Barracuda Lake

Blog post about​ Lusong Gunboat