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Coron, in northern Palawan, is famous for Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake and some of the world’s best WWII shipwreck diving. You stay in Coron town on Busuanga Island and take boat tours to Coron Island. The classic Ultimate island-hopping tour costs about ₱1,500–₱2,000, plus cash entrance fees of about ₱300 (Kayangan), ₱250 (Barracuda) and ₱200 (Twin Lagoon). Fly into Busuanga Airport from Clark or Cebu (no flights from Manila’s NAIA since March 2026), or take the ferry from El Nido. Stay 3–4 days, ideally from November to May.
Book your Coron island hopping before peak season; the best boats fill up fast.
Coron island-hopping tours compared
| Tour | Main stops | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Coron Island Ultimate | Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake, Skeleton Wreck, coral garden, CYC Beach | First-timers: the classic Coron day |
| Island Escapade / beach tour | Malcapuya, Banana Island, Bulog Dos and other white-sand islands | Beaches and relaxing swims |
| Reefs and wrecks tour | Siete Pecados, Skeleton Wreck, coral gardens | Snorkeling |
| Private boat | Your choice, with an early start to beat the crowds | Groups of 4–6 splitting the cost |
Joiner tours cost about ₱1,500–₱2,000 per person with lunch. Private boats run about ₱5,000–₱8,000, which can cost about the same per person when shared by a small group. Tour names and stops vary by operator, so check before booking.
Watch: Coron in under a minute. Open on YouTube.
Coron entrance fees and costs (2026)
| Item | Approx. cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kayangan Lake | ₱300 | Cash only; life jackets required, no drones |
| Barracuda Lake | ₱250 | Famous for its warm thermocline layers |
| Twin Lagoon | ₱200 | Swim or kayak through the gap between the lagoons |
| Arrival environmental fee | About ₱200 | Collected in cash when you arrive |
| Maquinit Hot Spring | About ₱200 | A rare saltwater hot spring |
| Airport van to town | About ₱150–₱250 per seat | About 25–45 minutes each way |
2026 rates from operators and recent visitors. Entrance fees are often included in joiner tour prices but not always in private charters, so ask. Bring cash; Coron is very cash-dependent. See money in the Philippines.
How to get to Coron (2026 update)
| Route | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fly from Clark or Cebu | Flights to Busuanga Airport (USU), the airport for Coron; no flights from Manila’s NAIA since March 2026 | About 1–1.5 hours |
| Fly from El Nido | Short daily flight from El Nido to Busuanga | About 40 minutes |
| Ferry from El Nido | Fast ferry, or a multi-day boat expedition | About 4 hours by fast ferry |
| Airport to town | Shared van | About 25–45 minutes |
Busuanga Airport operates in daylight only, so flights won’t land after dark. See our El Nido travel guide, the El Nido to Coron boat expedition, our domestic flights guide and our ferry guide.
Best things to do in Coron
- Kayangan Lake Climb about 300 steps over a limestone ridge for the famous viewpoint, then swim in one of the clearest lakes in the Philippines.
- Twin Lagoon Two lagoons joined by a narrow gap in the rock; swim through at low tide or climb the ladder at high tide, or explore by kayak.
Twin Lagoon. Photo: Franz C. Trinidad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. - Barracuda Lake A crater lake where warm and cool water layers meet, popular with snorkelers and divers.
The lagoon at the entrance to Barracuda Lake. Photo: André Héroux, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. - WWII shipwrecks A Japanese supply fleet sunk by US aircraft in September 1944 now lies in Coron Bay. Snorkelers can see the shallow Skeleton Wreck; divers can explore larger wrecks with local dive shops.
The Skeleton Wreck. Photo: Firth m, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. - Mount Tapyas Climb about 700 steps above Coron town for one of the best sunset views in Palawan.
Mount Tapyas at blue hour. Photo: H.abanil, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. - Maquinit Hot Spring Soak in a saltwater hot spring by the mangroves, best in the evening after island hopping.
Maquinit Hot Spring. Photo: Paul Christian B. Yang-ed, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. - Beaches Malcapuya, Banana Island and Bulog Dos for white sand and calm water.
Malcapuya Island. - Calauit Safari Park A wildlife park on northern Busuanga with giraffes and zebras alongside native Philippine animals, a long day trip from town.
3-day Coron itinerary
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive and pay the environmental fee, then climb Mount Tapyas for sunset. |
| Day 2 | Coron Island Ultimate tour: Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake and Skeleton Wreck. Evening at Maquinit Hot Spring. |
| Day 3 | Beach tour to Malcapuya, Banana Island and Bulog Dos, or a wreck dive. |
Combine Coron with El Nido for a 7–10 day Palawan trip; see our Philippines itinerary guide.
Best time to visit and where to stay
- Best time: the dry season, roughly November to May, has the calmest seas. From June to October, rough weather can cancel boat tours.
- Coron town: the main base on Busuanga, close to tour departures, restaurants and the airport road.
- Island resorts: private-island stays around Coron Bay for a quieter, more romantic trip. See our romantic getaways guide.
Add flights, tours, entrance fees and hotels in our free trip budget calculator.
Book Coron and Palawan tours
Island hopping, wrecks and Palawan tours. Klook bookings often include free cancellation.
Coron travel guide: FAQ
How much is the Kayangan Lake entrance fee?
About ₱300 per person, paid in cash, as of 2026. Barracuda Lake is about ₱250 and Twin Lagoon about ₱200. Joiner tours often include these fees, so check with your operator.
How do I get to Coron?
Fly to Busuanga Airport from Clark or Cebu (flights from Manila’s NAIA stopped in March 2026), fly from El Nido in about 40 minutes, or take a fast ferry from El Nido in about 4 hours.
How much is a Coron island-hopping tour?
Joiner tours cost about ₱1,500 to ₱2,000 per person with lunch. A private boat costs about ₱5,000 to ₱8,000, which can be similar per person if you share with a small group.
How many days do you need in Coron?
Three to four days is ideal: one day for the Ultimate tour, one for a beach tour or wreck dive, and time for Mount Tapyas and Maquinit Hot Spring.
Is Coron better than El Nido?
They’re different. Coron is best for lakes, lagoons and WWII wreck diving, while El Nido is best for limestone lagoons, beaches and sunsets. Many travelers visit both.
Can you dive the shipwrecks in Coron?
Yes. Coron Bay has several Japanese WWII shipwrecks sunk in September 1944. Snorkelers can see the shallow Skeleton Wreck, while certified divers can explore larger wrecks with local dive shops.
When is the best time to visit Coron?
The dry season, roughly November to May, has the calmest seas. From June to October, weather can cancel boat tours.
Why are most of Coron Island’s lakes closed?
Coron Island is the ancestral land of the Tagbanua people, and ten of its twelve lakes are sacred. Only Kayangan and Barracuda lakes are open to visitors.
Crystal lakes, hidden lagoons and WWII wrecks. Book your Coron tours early for peak season.
Cebu-born travel writer raised between Cebu and Dumaguete, now based in Zamboanga del Sur, Mindanao. Gio writes Best Philippines Travel Guide to help travelers plan the islands with confidence.