Ultimate 5-Day Coron Itinerary: Diving, Trekking & Island Hopping

If you've been around here for a while, you know I'm obsessed with the Philippines! It's a land of pristine beaches, warm locals, and adventure around every corner. While the whole nation is amazing, no Philippine itinerary would be complete without a visit to the island archipelago of Coron.

In this Coron itinerary, I'll lay out a full five days of top spots and give you a few off-the-beaten-path adventures too! Where to stay in Coron? How to avoid the crowds? Where to eat? I'll cover it all. Let's dive in (pun wholeheartedly intended)!

What Does Coron Have to Offer?

Coron Palawan is in the Calamian Islands, a fairly isolated group of islands north of the main island of Palawan. It is blessed with some of the world's best scuba and snorkeling sites, epic limestone karsts surrounding impossibly deep lakes, and some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet.

The area is a haven for divers and adventure-seekers who mostly cluster in the backpacker town of Coron on Busuanga Island. The surrounding islands are privately owned and many offer fantastic luxury resorts for higher-end travelers.

For clarity's sake, Coron is the name of the whole region, Coron Island, and the above-mentioned town on Busuanga.

Best Time to Visit Coron

The best time to visit Coron is a little dependent on what you like. Most travelers choose the dry season. Weather in the Sulu Sea during the rainy season (typhoons) can produce some pretty unpleasant boat rides!

The dry season runs from November to May, with December to March being the most popular. This time of year is jam-packed with beach bums escaping the cold winters of the United Kingdom, Germany, and Sweden. If you want to spend your vacation meeting new friends, then go in December!

If you want slightly fewer crowds, visit in April or May, but prepare for soaring temperatures.

How to Get to Coron

A flight from Manila is the easiest (and most cost-efficient) way to get to Coron. I suggest arriving in the afternoon or evening so you can get settled and hit the ground running the next day.

Daily flights are available from Cebu as well, and ferry services run from both El Nido and Puerto Princesa. Just be aware that when it comes to Coron, the ferry options are costly and not the most time-efficient.

• You'll arrive at Busuanga Airport and travel by shared van with other tourists, for about 30 minutes, to Coron City Center.
• If you've booked a stay with one of the luxury resorts, they will organize airport pickup.

Getting Around Coron

Getting around in the Philippines has its challenges, but public transit options in Coron have advanced in recent years, and it's much easier than it used to be.

• Boat: You'll likely do most of your travel in Coron via an island-hopping tour. Popular tours are easily booked online, but you can also go straight to Calamian Dock and bargain with the boatmen if you want to go somewhere else.
• Habal Habal: Habals are a motorcycle with an extended seat and are a popular means of travel for locals and adventurous tourists. You can also book a more steady tricycle for short trips around the island. – Fun fact: Habal is the word for “mating” in several local dialects. Habal habal translates to “looks like mating” and is a colorful way of describing how four people look when crammed on a tiny motorcycle.
• Inter-Island Flight: There are several small airports around the islands. If you're willing to fly with just a personal item, it can be a cost-efficient alternative for remote islands.
• Bikes: Biking is a great way to explore the Town Proper or West Busuanga. Bike rentals are available through many hostels and small shops in town.

Where to Stay in Coron

Picking a base to stay in Coron is tricky! The area is a dream world of hidden gems with dozens of islands to choose from. Even on Busuanga, there are several spots to station yourself, each offering pros and cons, depending on your list of activities.

4 Best Areas to Stay in Coron

1. Coron Town Proper: Coron is the primary tourist hub with a large array of accommodations for all budgets, easy access to activities, and a bustling vibe.

2. North Coast: The North Cay is very secluded, with quiet beaches and a few resorts.

3. West Busuanga Island: Secluded resorts and hostels along the beach with jungle backdrops.

4. South Islands: If you prefer an exclusive island resort, the South Islands are private, romantic, and perfect for honeymooners.

I suggest staying in two different areas of the island, especially if you have longer than three days to explore. I would split my time spending two nights in Coron Town Proper and two nights in either West Busuanga or the north. For a quick rundown of the best hotels, check out the table below.

Find more options in this blog post on the best places to stay in Coron.

LOCATION	VIBE	ACTIVITIES	BEST HOTEL
PROPER	VIBRANT AND FRIENDLY WITH OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE	ISLAND-HOPPING TOURS, MAQUINIT HOT SPRINGS SIETE PECADOS MARINE PARK	THE FUNNY LION
WEST BUSUANGA	LAID BACK WITH HIDDEN SHORESIDE RESORTS	EASY ACCESS TO BLACK ISLAND	AL FARO COSMIO HOTEL
NORTH COAST	QUIET AND STUNNING	GREAT BEACHES AND CALUIT WILDLIFE SANCTUARY	CLUB PARADISE PALAWAN
SOUTH ISLANDS	LUXURY AND PRIVACY	ALL MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND PRIVATE TOURS	TWO SEASONS CORON ON BULALACAO ISLANDS

Coron Top Attractions & Things to Do

Now that the particulars are in order, let's start exploring Coron! This amazing trip includes island tours, World War II shipwreck dives, and majestic limestone cliffs. Before I detail a step-by-step itinerary, I've included a quick rundown of some of the must-visit spots and activities in Coron.

1. Island Hopping Tours

Like its neighbor El Nido, the number one activity when visiting Coron is an island hopping tour. Group tours are affordable and easily available from local agents, Get Your Guide, or the budget site Klook. There are four primary tours, but they aren't as set in stone as El Nido's lettered tours. There's a bit more flexibility, especially with private tours.

The options listed below are Klook's version of the tours. Some other companies offer slightly differing itineraries, so dig around to find the option that suits you best!

Also, be sure to read the fine print! Some tours include your entrance fee and environmental fee. Others don't, so take that into account when you're budgeting. Most fees are the equivalent of a couple of USD, so they're unlikely to break the bank, but you may need to keep cash on you!

Popular Tour Options (most include lunch):

• Tour A: Kayangan Lake, Siete Pecados Marine Park, Twin Peaks Coral Garden Snorkel, Cyc Beach, Atwayan Beach
• Tour B: Skeleton Wreck, Barracuda Lake, Banol Beach, Twin Lagoon
• Tour C: Malcapuya Island, Coco Beach, and Ditaytayan Island Sandbar (Some companies offer a variation with visits to Banana Island and Bulog Dos Island.
• Tour D: Bulog Dos Island, Pass Island, snorkeling at Lusong Coral Gardens and Lusong Gunboat.
• Super Ultimate Day Tour: Twin Lagoon, Cyc Beach, Siete Pecados Marine Park, Barracuda Lake, Beach 91, Skeleton Wreck, Coral Garden, and Coron Youth Club Beach

2. Barracuda Lake

Named after the occasional barracuda sighting, the lake offers an electric afternoon swim with unique layers of water that change in temperature and saltiness.

An eerie sub-aquatic landscape, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, Barracuda is a top spot for divers and seekers of natural beauty.

3. Kayangan Lake

Famous Kayangan Lake is one of the top spots in all of Coron Palawan, renowned for its crystal-clear waters, underwater cliffs, and cultural significance to the Tagbanua people.

4. Twin Lagoons

The lagoons, separated by dramatic coastal cliffs, offer clear turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The hidden second lagoon is accessed by swimming through a narrow crevice or using a ladder during high tide. Surrounded by lush greenery and spectacular rock formations, Twin Lagoon is a must!

5. Scuba Dive in Coron Bay

Coron Bay is a mesmerizing underwater world littered with fallen Japanese World War II shipwrecks, including the famous Skeleton Wreck. It's a fantastic dive site for free divers, scuba divers, and even snorkelers!

6. Maquinit Hot Springs

Naturally heated saltwater pools, surrounded by mangroves and limestone, Maquinit is perfect for a relaxing soak after a day of exploring.

7. Pass Island

Boasting pristine, white, sandy beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, Pass Island is surrounded by vibrant coral reefs, and it's a perfect spot for snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing.

8. Black Island

Black Island is the newest star on the Coron itinerary. It's a towering limestone edifice, seemingly isolated from the rest of the world.

It can be expensive to visit from Coron Town, but if you're staying in West Busuanga, you can arrange a cheaper boat (approximately 3,600 Philippine Pesos, rather than 7,800). I recommend staying the night on Black Island if you have the time.

9. Lusong Coral Garden

Lusong Coral Garden is a marine sanctuary renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, including tropical fish.

10. Atwayan Beach

This stunning white sand beach, with calm waves and tall palms, is a popular lunch spot for island hopping tours.

11. Calauit Wildlife Preserve

Located on the north corner of Busuanga, the sanctuary serves as a conservation area, aiming to protect endangered species and promote biodiversity. It offers a unique opportunity to see giraffes, zebras, and impalas in the Philippine Islands.

12. Malcapuya Island

One of the biggest islands in the area, Malcapuya is known for Japanese shipwrecks, and exotic plants, and is the home of the ancestral Tagbanua Tribe.

My Suggested 5-Day Coron Itinerary

You can hurriedly do Coron, focusing on island-hopping tours in three days. However, five days gives you the ability to truly explore!

I'm going to assume that you'll land at Busuanga Airport in the afternoon or evening and get settled. I'll start early the next morning!

Day 1: Tour A or B, Coron Market, and Mt. Tapyas Hike

Morning

• Choose between Tour A or Tour B. Both are equally epic and include a seafood banquet lunch. The tours generally leave around 7.30 am and take 7-8 hours.
• You could also choose the Super Ultimate Day Tour!

Evening

• Sunset at Mount Tapyas: Take the steep hike up 721 steps to the top of the second-tallest mountain in Coron. You'll enjoy a stellar sunset from the famous Coron sign overlooking the incredible lagoons.
• Peruse the Coron Public Market for a cultural experience and a fresh snack.
• Enjoy fresh local cuisine at D' Fourth's Eatery (Happy Fourth).
• Stay the night in Coron Town.

Day 2: Island Hopping Tour C or D

Morning

• Pick your preference between island tour C or D. Again, you can expect a 7-8-hour journey with hotel pickup around 7.30 am.

Evening

• Enjoy a cold local beer and a jaw-dropping sunset from the therapeutic waters of Maquinit Hot Spring.
• Grab some fresh calamari at Gavin's Kitchen + Bar!
• Stay the night in Coron Town.

Day 3: Inland Tour or Scuba Diving

Coron is so much more than island hopping. If you've had your fill of snorkeling and beaches, take an inland tour on day three. I recommend speaking with several trike drivers and arranging a self-made tour to see the top spots on Busuanga.

Option 1: Busuanga Island Tour

• Concepcion Falls is a small waterfall that's great for a morning swim.
• If you're a trekker, have your driver drop you off at the trailhead to Mount Tundalara. It's a steep 3-4 hour trek, but the views are worth it!
• After your long hike, enjoy a float at Kingfisher's Park, surrounded by billions of fireflies and bioluminescent plankton!
• Enjoy a traditional dinner at Winnie's Family Restaurant just down the road from Kingfisher's.
• Travel to West Busuanga and check in to your second hotel. You can arrange transport with your resort in Busuanga or take a local jeepney.

Option 2: A Private Dive

If you came to Coron to dive, then I suggest spending morning three on a private tour with the Reggae Dive Center. If you want to try scuba for the first time, they offer an amazing discovery dive. Explore Kayangan Lake, Skeleton Wreck, or Barracuda Lake!

Finish off the rest of the day in the same manner as Option 1.

Day 4: Black Island Tour

Today, you visit the iconic Black Island. As always, you have a couple of choices on how to do it.

• Book a guided tour. This one includes a trip to Calauit Safari and either North Cay, Black Island, or Pamalican Island.
• If you're sick of groups, organize a private boat in advance with an overnight stay. If you have time, you can go to the dock and organize it for the next day, but if you want reassurance, book in advance through Black Island Tours. They specialize in connecting travelers with local boatmen and accommodations.
• Stay the night on Black Island or return to your accommodation on the West Coast for the second night.

Day 5: Heading Out

Get up early for a morning dip in the sea and head back to Coron Town for your flight out. Your adventures in Coron are unfortunately over (for now).

Coron Practical Information and Tips

• Most ATMs are located in Coron Town. Get cash while you're there as there are no options elsewhere.
• Book your tours ahead of time! That especially goes for transportation and private tours. When you're out at night, arrange your transit for the next day. You don't want to lose a whole day trying to find a ride, and that can happen very easily.
• Bring sunblock, insect repellent, and trekking gear if you plan to explore the inland trails.
• You can rent snorkeling gear for about 150 Philippine Pesos (USD$2.56) at most spots, but if you plan on snorkeling in a few places, consider buying your own gear in Manila.

Coron Itinerary – Frequently Asked Questions

☀️ Is three days enough for Coron?

Three days will give you a whirlwind but decent trip to Coron Palawan. With three full days, I would suggest taking the Super Ultimate Day Tour, Tour C, and a trip to Black Island.

🏝️ Should I spend more days in Coron or El Nido?

Both El Nido and Coron offer epic island-hopping experiences. I would split my time evenly between the two destinations but don't forget to account for a day of travel between.

📆 What is the best month to visit Coron Palawan?

Coron is best during the dry season from December to May. December and January are the busiest months. If you want to avoid the crowds and don't mind a little heat, April and early May are nice.

The Ultimate Coron Itinerary – Final Words

If you're looking for a beautiful island destination that has more than just lush beaches, Coron is a fantastic option. A Coron itinerary not only boasts incredible natural wonders above the sea, but the underwater landscape is rich with shipwrecks and mega marine life.

Conquer thigh-burning treks before enjoying a few drinks in a soothing hot spring. Splurge on luxury resorts or meet new friends in a backpacker hostel. Go cheap with group tours or up the ante with private boats. The options are endless to explore Coron!