CORON

About Coron

The major industry is fishing although during the past ten years, tourism has been steadily increasing. There is also some farming in the barrios.
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Currency: The main currency is the Philippine Peso. US Dollars may be exchanged but at a slightly lower rate than in Manila. A few establishments already accept credit cards.
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Banking: The Land Bank of the Philippines is the only bank in Coron. It has one ATM terminal.
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Communications: Globe, Touch Mobile, Smart and Talk n Text all have mobile phone signal. Sun does not yet have a cell site in the area. There are two internet cafes in town where one may check and send emails.
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How to get there:
By Air: Two airlines, Seair and Asian Spirit have several daily flights from the Manila. These are small twin engine planes that can hold a maximum of 19 passengers plus 2 pilots. Flying time from Manila Domestic Airport to Busuanga Airport is approximately 1 hour. Land trip from Busuanga airport to Coron town is 30 to 45 minutes.

By Sea: Superferry leaves Manila every Friday night on or about 7:15 PM for Coron. The voyage takes approximately 12 hours hence ETA Coron pier is 6:30-7:00 AM Saturday. Darayonan Lodge is about 7 minutes away by land transport from the pier.

Note: coming from Manila, Coron is the first airport or seaport. Hence, it does not make sense to fly to Puerto Princessa via a big plane and hope to get to Coron from there. The flight time to Puerto Princessa is also 1 hour and the sea voyage is also 12 hours.
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Major Tourist Attractions:

1. Coron Island – home to the indigenous Tagbanua tribes, Coron Island with its towering gray limestone cliffs, blue-green lakes and numerous coves and lagoons is one of the area’s main tourist attractions.
1.1 Kayangan Lake – adjudged as the country’s cleanest lake for three straight years. It is a good swimming area. Bamboo raft riding is also sometimes available. The twenty to thirty minute trek to the lake offers spectacular views and plenty of photo opportunities. A cave near the summit offers more thrills for the adventurous.


1.2 Barracuda Lake – named after a barracuda that supposedly resides within its waters. The path is much shorter than Kayangan but a little more challenging for first timers. Its waters are deeper than its more famous sister.


1.3 Twin Lagoon – two lagoons separated by a wall of rock. During low tide, an opening at the base of the cliff appears enabling swimmers to cross to the other lagoon.

1.4 Atuayan Beach – originally called Katuayan,(a place full of Tuay, a kind of shell) by the natives, Atuayan beach is situated I a cove with a small island near its mouth which makes it child friendly because there is virtually no current. It has the longest beach among the Coron Island beaches. It also has a decent snorkeling area and the natives taking care of it are among the most accommodating. Ideal also for kayaking. For the adventurous, Atuayan Lake is located just behind the beach, but one has to scale the cliff first.

1.5 Malwawey Island – a small island located off the Western side of Coron Island across Atuayan Beach. It features a nice coral reef (on the side facing Atuayan), and a small shipwreck. It has a very small beach with probably the finest white sand among the Coron Island beaches. Also known as Skeleton Wreck.

1.6 Banol Beach – perhaps the most well known amongst Coron Island beaches, Banol actually has two beaches, “Banol nga mabael” (Big Banol) and “Banol ng maite” (Small Banol) . Its rock formations are a photographer’s delight. The natives in it are also a source of Nido or Bird’s Nest (“balinsasayaw” in our native tongue), main ingredient for the Bird’s nest soup found in Chinese restaurants.

Coron Island, has other lakes and beaches aside from those mentioned above. It is also home to two villages of Palawan’s indigenous people the Tagbanuas. Some parts of the island especially the other lakes are not open to the general public because these are considered sacred ancestral lands.

Coron Island is about twenty minutes away by motor banca from Coron town.

2. Calauit Island Wildlife Sanctuary – established in the mod-70’s, Calauit, features Giraffes, Zebras, Bearcats, Calamian Deer, Mouse Deer (the smallest deer in the world), etc. A two-hour tour on board the center’s tour truck enables the visitor to see these animals in their natural habitat.

The trip to Calauit is four hours by banca from Coron town. One should leave as early as 3:00 AM in order to reach Calauit before the sun gets too hot as the animals tend to look for shade during the middle of the day. The alternative route is a two and a half hour land trip plus a ten minute banca ride to cross Biniktikan river, the body of water that separates Calauit island from Busuanga.

3. Maquinit Hot Springs – with a temperature ranging from 38 to 41 degrees Celsius, Maquinit’s waters are very relaxing and therapeutical. It is the perfect place to go after a day of trekking and snorkeling. It has a flow output of 85 liters/second or a whopping 5115 liter/minute! It is unique because unlike other hot springs, its waters are salty with a slight sulphuric content. In addition, the algae that grows on its pools walls contain spirulina.

4. Siete Pecados – located near Maquinit Hot Springs, Siete Pecados is a cluster of seven small islands. According to legend, seven sisters went swimming against their mother’s wishes. As a consequence they all drowned and afterwards, seven small islands sprouted from the sea. Siete Pecados is a good snorkeling area.

5. Kalumbuyan Island – offers one of the best reefs for snorkeling. Its white and shady beach make it an ideal picnic place. A destination definitely worth going.

6. Lusong Gunboat Wreck – an authentic WWII Japanese ship. Shallow enough that it does not require the tourist to go scuba diving to view it.

7. Coral Garden – another excellent snorkeling area. After seeing Coral Garden, one American guest said “I have never seen such beauty, and I have gone snorkeling in many parts of the world.” His six year old companion put it more eloquently when he said… “totally wicked…”.

8. Mt. Tapyas Eco-park – located on top of a hill with a big cross in the middle, the park can be reached by climbing a stairway of more than 700 steps. The viewing deck offers a panoramic view of Coron Bay.

9. Culion Town – a trip to historic Culion town includes a visit to a centuries old Spanish Church, an ancient watch tower, and a museum.

10. Dibatoc Island – located near the eastern entrance of Coron Bay, the beach at Dibatoc Island is one of the best in Coron. However due to its location, it is not an advisable destination when the Amihan (easterly winds) is in full swing.

There are other destinations such as Dibotunay Island, Banana Island, Diwaran, North and South Cay, and Black Island. For more information on these please contact us.