Go Underwater in Coron
The Diving Capital of Palawan
Coron is a small set of islands in the north of Palawan - with Coron City being where most travelers stay. A little less developed than its nearby neighbor El Nido, Coron was a small fishing village that is increasingly growing into a resort town. Known particularly for its diving, with many shipwrecks and incredible coral reefs, it’s considered the best spot for scuba in Palawan. If you’re not a diver, though, the snorkeling in this area is also incredible.
Take a Boat Tour
The only must do in Coron is to take at least one of the boat tours - either for scuba diving or snorkeling. I did the Super Ultimate day tour, which included stops at the four main attractions of the nearby islands: Lake Kayangan, Barracuda Lake, the Twin Lagoons and Coral Garden. I essentially snorkeled for five hours throughout the day amidst some of the best backdrops I could imagine. Huge, dramatic rock formations rising out of pristine blue water when you’re not snorkeling, and beautiful coral, colorful fish, and the same dramatic rock formations below water when you are. The boat tours make for absolutely incredible days out at sea.
In both Coron and El Nido, the tours are pre-packaged in a consistent way across businesses (Tour A, B, C, D, Ultimate, Super Ultimate). Pretty much anyone you talk to, the options will be the same. Super Ultimate is a busy day, but it’s the only option to hit all of the highlights in one tour.
If your vacation is a bit longer and you are also going to El Nido, there are three and six night island hopping expeditions from Coron to El Nido. You’ll stay in island huts along the way. I didn’t have the time to do one but I heard only incredible things - including that it is the best adventure in the Philippines.
Enjoy Some Hilltop Views (and Sunsets)
Coron Town and the surrounding area aren’t super developed - and its natural beauty is less exquisite than the nearby islands you’ll access by boat. Because of that, I spent most of my time in Coron just admiring the views from high points - which are incredible; in addition, the sunset is exquisite each night in Coron - and all of the view points offer great sunset views at this hour.
I hiked Mount Tapya for sweeping views of the bay and surrounding mountains - but mostly I just stayed in my hostel (Hop Hostel) which had a hillside pool and roof bar with stunning views. While I recommend anyone to stay at Hop Hostel because it was one of the best hostels I’ve ever stayed at, you don’t need to be a guest to enjoy the viewpoint. Its rooftop bar is open to the public - and many tourists come for sunset.
Other Things to Do
If you’re looking to get out and explore around Coron Town some, here are the most common things to do:
Relax at a Hot Springs: About a 20 minute drive out of Coron Town, Maquinit Hot Springs offers a cheap spot to relax. It’s open late, so you can go after sunset when the weather cools down.
Sunbathe: A bit beyond the hot springs, Cabo Beach offers a sandy strip for you to lie down and relax along the sea.
Check out the Produce: You can shop for local fruits and vegetables at the Coron Public Market along the shore.
Kayak in a Mangrove: A bit outside of Coron City, you can head to Kingfisher Park to kayak in a mangrove and watch local, native birds. It’s a good alternative if you need a break from snorkeling.
I think a Coron vacation is totally complete just doing boat tours and watching the sunset from a rooftop. The combination will leave each of your days soul-satisfying.