Summary
The remote Philippine island of Coron may not be as popular as its cousin El Nido, but the scenery here is just as amazing, and it’s great for island hopping tours. There are a variety of boat tours to consider in the Coron area, and while all are worthwhile, the top recommendation is the Ultimate Coron Palawan Tour (also known as Coron Tour A) that covers most of the highlights near Coron.
This page discusses the Coron island tour and the main highlights you can expect to see, including Kayangan Lake, Coron Twin Lagoon, Skeleton Wreck, CYC Beach, Malwawey Coral Garden, and more. Future updates will provide more general Palawan information and a map of all the Calamian islands!
Best Coron Day Tour Packages
If you’re seeking a reliable tour provider, Klook offers well-rated Palawan boat tours at competitive prices. Their Coron Ultimate Tour package (Tour A) costs 1,600 pesos ($30 USD) and includes all the usual highlight stops such as Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon, along with delicious beach and snorkeling spots. A free lunch and hotel pickup are also included, making it a better option than many tour companies you might encounter in Coron town.
Coron Ultimate Tour (A) – What To Expect
The Coron island Tour A features 6-7 scenic stops, with each major stop typically lasting about 45-60 minutes, except the brief stop at Skeleton Wreck. Although your tour guide may suggest 30-45 minutes per stop, it often extends closer to an hour due to stragglers (which is completely acceptable!).
This comprehensive tour runs from 8 AM to 5 PM (or later) as you travel between islands on the boat, which also offers its own picturesque views and excellent photo opportunities.
Lunch On The Tour
Each tour includes a complimentary lunch on the boat, typically featuring grilled fish, pork, chicken, vegetables, rice, and a selection of fresh fruits like pineapple and watermelon. Most tours also offer snacks in the evening. Despite some concerns about hygiene or food preparation safety on these boat tours, our experience across multiple tours showed no issues (and we indulged fully!).
Best Things To See
• Kayangan Lake & Viewpoint
This renowned viewpoint offers breathtaking views of Coron island, often attracting long lines for photographs. Even amid a crowd of tour boats, the scenery remains stunning. After enjoying the viewpoint, feel free to take a refreshing swim at Kayangan Lake, though it tends to be crowded and requires life jackets.
• Coron Twin Lagoon
The Coron Twin Lagoon consists of spectacular turquoise lagoons and is arguably the highlight of Coron, perfect for capturing jaw-dropping drone photos. While swimming and kayaking are enjoyable, aerial shots provide a stunning perspective of this enchanting location.
• Malwawey Island
This small island emerging from the Malwawey reef serves as a relaxing lunch stop where you can unwind in a hammock or swim with the fish. Depending on your chosen Coron Palawan tour, some operators may substitute this stop with other nearby beaches, such as Smith Point Beach, Banul Beach, or Atwayan Beach.
• Skeleton Wreck
This intriguing World War II shipwreck lies near Malwawey reef and can be reached through freediving (no special gear is necessary), although the depth of approximately 10 meters might pose a challenge for some. For greater underwater exploration, consider scuba diving around Coron.
• Malwawey Coral Garden
The Malwawey Reef provides a snorkeling stop where you can observe pristine coral conditions, even though fish sightings may be limited. Depending on your tour operator, alternate snorkeling spots may be included, such as Siete Pecados, Twin Peaks, or Smith Coral Garden—all of which offer excellent experiences.
• CYC Beach
This small circular island features a beautiful white sand beach and is frequented by coconut and drink vendors paddling canoes. The water at CYC Beach is shallow, making it ideal for spotting fish and coral, but be mindful of boats as this area can become quite busy throughout the day.
List Of Tour Locations
Below is a comprehensive list of locations you might encounter on the Coron ultimate island hopping tour. Please note that not every tour will reach all of these sites in a single day:
- Atwayan Beach
- Banol Beach
- Barracuda Lake
- Beach 91
- CYC Beach
- Green Lagoon
- Hidden Lagoon
- Kayangan Lake
- Kayangan Viewpoint
- Malwawey Coral Garden
- Siete Pecados
- Skeleton Wreck
- Smith Coral Garden
- Sunset Beach
- Sunset Cove
- Twin Lagoons
- Twin Peaks Coral Garden
As evidenced, there are a multitude of remarkable locations! However, keep in mind that not all Coron tours can cover every single site, so verify the itinerary with your tour guide if a particular spot is particularly important for your visit.
More Palawan Travel Tips
We trust you found this guide to the Coron ultimate island tour helpful. For additional insights on Coron island in the Philippines, explore our extensive Coron Travel Guide featuring tips, photos, and more.
Coron Hotels
Where We Stayed
For our stay, we chose Coron Visitors Hotel, paying 1,400 pesos ($27 USD) per night. This price afforded us a clean double bed with air conditioning and a private bathroom.
Keep in mind that Coron is relatively remote, and the hotel scene is still developing to meet the growing demand, so luxury may not be guaranteed. Nevertheless, it stood as one of the most budget-friendly options in Coron, conveniently located just a five-minute walk from excellent dining options, with staff readily available to assist with airport transfers, tours, and other requests.
Be aware that prices may fluctuate, so it’s wise to remain vigilant for the best deals.