Coron is a tropical island in the province of Palawan. Best known for world-class WWII-era shipwreck diving, incredible limestone karst landscapes, crystal-clear freshwater lakes and shallow-water coral reefs. Coron also refers to nearby Coron town, a transit hub on neighboring Busuanga Island where the airport and most accommodations are located, as well as daytime boat trips that are the only way to visit the tribally-protected island itself. Many visitors travel onwards to the El Nido region.

The Coron Island best known for the Japanese World War II ship wreck dives, and the site has been named in many lists of top dive spots in the world. In September 1944, a fleet of Japanese ships hiding in the harbor were sunk in a daring raid by the US Navy. The result is around ten well preserved underwater shipwrecks surrounded by coral reefs.

Coron Island itself hosts the pristine Barracuda and Kayangan lakes, well worth a day trip to explore the perfectly clear, mixed fresh and salt water environments with a visible thermoclines and an unusual amount of aquatic life. Coron and many nearby islands are dotted with tiny white sand beaches, often surrounded by large limestone cliffs and wildlife, as well as extensive reefs for snorkeling. The island is the ancestral domain of an indigenous tribe who are managing the island in a sustainable way, preventing the encroachment of garbage and disallowing overnight access.

Where is Coron?

There are technically two Corons in the Philippines, one is actually the name of the largest town on Busuanga island and the other Coron a smaller island 30-minutes offshore from Coron Town. Coron makes up the eastern half of Busuanga Island.

Coron Town is a small fishing village with a population is just over 40,000 but is becoming an incresingly popular tourist destination. Coron is often listed as one of the top tourist places in the Philippines. Palawan was recently named the most beautiful island in the world and we’d have to agree.

How to get to Coron Palawan?

The quickest way to get on the island is to fly, Cebu Pacific and Philippines Airlines run flights several times per day from Manila. If possible, avoid the later flights, the Coron airport (Busuanga) doesn’t have runway lights and flights can’t land after dusk. There are also flights from El Nido to Coron on Air Swift.

Ferry From Manila to Coron

The quickest way to get on the island is to fly, Cebu Pacific and Philippines Airlines run flights several times per day from Manila. If possible avoid the later flights, the Coron airport (Busuanga) doesn’t have runway lights and flights can’t land after dusk. There are also flights from El Nido to Coron on Air Swift,

Ferry From El Nido to Coron

There are two ferry companies that run an El Nido to Coron ferry each once a day. The ferry only takes 4 hours and is one of the fastest ways to travel to Coron. The ferry sells out days in advance make sure book tickets online in advance, tickets are 2816 pesos/$51 USD.,

Expedition Cruise from El Nido to Coron

One of the coolest and most scenic ways to travel between El Nido and Coron is an Expedition Cruise. This is one of the newest ways its a super unique adventure cruise traveling between El Nido to Coron. The expedition cruises range from three to five-day options and you’ll stop and camp at various islands that lie between Coron and El Nido. If you are wanting a crazy fun Philippines adventure then an expedition cruise is for you. You have to open to beach camping but you’ll get to see the islands and beaches that very very few people visit.