ISLAND HOPPING IN CORON

The main reason travelers come to Coron (Busuanga) is to discover the surrounding islands, such as Coron Island, considered one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines (would it be an exaggeration to say in the world? We'll let you be the judge). Between lagoons, lakes, turquoise waters and karst cliffs, the landscapes are majestic and of rare beauty. The most beautiful sites open to the public are the Small and Big Lagoon (Twin Lagoon). The water is cold on the surface, but warm at depth due to the presence of numerous underwater hot springs. Snorkelers can set their sights on the Siete Pecados spot (100 PHP entrance fee). Beautiful coral and plenty of fish. One of the region's major attractions are the crystal-clear lakes of Barracuda and Kayangan. Barracuda is an excellent site for scuba diving and snorkeling - you can expect to see... barracudas, of course! Admission costs 150 PHP. To get to Kayangan, it's a bit of a climb, but you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of Coron Bay. And the water is unbelievably pure - it's said to be the cleanest lake in the country. A magical site. The other lakes are off-limits to visitors, out of respect for the indigenous Tagbanua tribes who live on Coron. For snorkeling, we recommend Balinsasayaw Reef, a spot where you can observe magnificent corals and a host of multicolored fish, including clownfish playing in their anemones. A magical place.

As in El Nido, island hopping is the best way to see as many sites as possible in a single day. All hotels and agencies in Coron offer them. These group tours last around 8 hours and include lunch, entrance fees to the sites and transfer from the hotel. The tours are fixed; here are a few examples:

The Coron Island Super Ultimate Tour: the most comprehensive, we'll see the seven most beautiful sites: Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Peaks Coral Garden, Beach 91, Balinsasayaw Reef, CYC Beach and Twin Lagoon. Approx. PHP 1,800.

Coron Island Ultimate Tour C : Siete Pecados, Kayangan Lake, Skeleton Wreck, white sand beach (Banol, Atwayan, Smith or Beach 91), Twin Lagoon, Coral Garden and Cyc Beac. Approx. PHP 1,700.

Coron Tour B: Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, a white-sand beach (Banol, Atwayan, Smith or Beach 91), Skeleton Wreck and Reef Garden. Approx. PHP 1,400.

Please note. All the boats leave at the same time in the morning, and we regret the crowds at the sites, although we understand them (we come to Coron mainly for island hopping). Rest assured, however, that the crowds in no way detract from the spectacular beauty of the scenery and the magic of the experience.

For greater peace of mind, autonomy and flexibility in choosing which sites to visit, opts for a private boat tour. Approx. PHP 4,000/person. This also allows you to request an early morning departure and avoid the crowds at the sites.

Smart tip : all agencies in Coron Town offer roughly the same services, so don't hesitate to negotiate prices a little. Another tip is to bring your own mask and snorkel (rental available), as well as a waterproof pouch to carry your phone to the various sites. Last but not least, protect yourself from the sun if you don't want to end up a crayfish at the end of the day.