Travel Guide: How to go to Coron, Palawan, Philippines

There are hassle-free options to get to one of the most beautiful islands in the world — Coron, Palawan! The main portal of travelers visiting Coron via plane is the Busuanga Airport (USU), also known as Francisco B. Reyes Airport. However, for visitors taking the ferry routes, their gateway is the Coron Bay Port.

As soon as you are at the airport’s arrival area, you will be greeted by barkers looking for passengers. They will ask what hotel you will be staying in. They will instruct you which shuttle or van you will take. The fare is ₱150/ person. However, some hotels have assigned drivers that will fetch the tourists. You are advised to check with the resort you will check in if they have such a service.

If you are staying at the “now-famous” Skylodge resort, their driver will fetch you. However, Skylodge’s van cannot pick up their guests lesser than 6 tourists per trip. In that case; you will be assigned to any of their van partners waiting at the airport’s arrival area which costs ₱150/ pax.

From the airport, you will surely enjoy the 35-45 minutes ride before arriving at the Coron proper. On your way, you will be astounded by the highway’s heavy-forested surroundings. Indeed, a tranquil short joy ride in the countryside!

When you will arrive at Sitio Dinagpan, you will take a narrow road stretching to the uphill where Skylodge nestled.

Below are the routes going to Coron:

MANILA TO CORON

One would choose to travel quickly by taking the plane routing to Coron. In NAIA terminal, we have Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific offering trips to Busuanga Airport, which is the entry to Coron proper. The estimated time of trip doesn’t exceed to 1 hour and 10 minutes.

CLARK, PAMPANGA TO CORON

For travelers near Clark Airport (CRK), you can book Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific’s trip going to Busuanga Airport (USU). Approximately, the trip will cover an hour and 5 minutes or lesser.

CEBU TO CORON

Tourists taking off from Cebu via plane, they can check with Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines for their tickets going to Busuanga Airport (USU). The trip is estimated to last for an hour and 35 minutes upon take off.

But if you prefer to wander towards the ocean, you can take 2GO Travel and Atienza ferries taking off from Manila Pier to Coron Pier. Suffice yourselves with the ocean view while calmly journeying the vast sea for 12-15 hours before reaching Coron, Palawan.

FERRY SCHEDULE (Manila to Coron)

2GO Travel is scheduled weekly to take trip from Manila’s Harbor Pier 4. The Ferry departs at 7:00PM every Friday. Fare starts at ₱1032/ USD 20.38for Mega Value.

Aside from 2Go, Atienza Shipping Lines also sails forCoron every Wednesday at 6PM. The air-conditioned accommodation costs about ₱1300/ person while ₱ 1200 if without air-conditioner.

FERRY SCHEDULE (Puerto Prinsesa to Coron)

From Puerto PrinsesaPalawan, 2Go vessels sail to Coron twice a day. The ferry departs every Saturday at 11:59PM. Approximately, your expedition is expected to last for 15 hours. Fare starts at ₱1300 for Super Value Class accommodation.

FERRY SCHEDULE (EL Nido to Coron)

If you are coming from El Nido going to Coron, a ferry which is the Montegro Lines leaves at 6AM daily. The fare should be approximately ₱1760/ person. Other than Montenegro Lines you can aboard big boats namely Bunso and Jessabel that departs El Nido between 7:30-8:30AM daily. Approximately, the fare costs about ₱P1600/ person. For about 5-9 hours you can reach Coron Port.Jomalia Shipping Corporation is sails to Coroneveryday at 12:30PM. The fare is ₱P1800/ person. Phimal Fast Ferry also sails every day at 8:20 in the morning with a fare amounting to ₱1760/ person.

From the port of Coron, you will be fetched by Skylodge resort’s accommodating driver for FREE to bring you to the serene place of the resort.

 

Best Scuba Diving Sites in Coron, Palawan for Beginners

Coron, Palawan, Philippines, is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, obtaining over a million vacationists per year in the pre-pandemic. Meanwhile, in the first quarter of 2022, Travelport mentioned that “51 percent of all international flight bookings in SEA went to the Philippines and Thailand – nations that reopened and eased their restrictions for foreign travel early.” Travelers from across the globe flock here due to its stunning powdery white-sand beaches, world-class hotel accommodations, and hospitable locals. It is nestled in the region of MIMAROPA, offering diverse inland beauty spots, exhilarating cultural experiences, and fantastic marine activities such as scuba diving for underwater enthusiasts.

The vast ocean of Coron varies from current-swept rocky landscapes and black jagged limestones to gentle sloping coral reefs under the sea. Here are a few of the best scuba diving sites on the island waiting for the adventurers to explore!

 

1. SIETE PECADOS

The name originated after seven sisters who disobeyed their mother to swim in the serene waters and drown, forming the seven islets we see today. It is also known as the Seven-Islands Reef near Coron Town Proper. After a few minutes of a boat ride, a captivating underwater coral garden amaze you as you immerse through the deep! Your undersea adventure is a memory you will never forget as heart-melting inhabitants grow like the various fish; angel, trigger, red snapper, and damselfishes. Beneath the blue waves are colorful coral gardens giving joy to the creatures wandering below. A beginner in scuba diving can witness those amazing sights descending in just 10 meters. The open water divers can go deep to 18 meters and 30 meters for the advanced divers.

 

2. DIMANGLET REEF

Another spot for scuba diving. There is nothing better than plunging into the calm waters of Coron, Palawan. Several tourists engage in Discover Scuba Diving to see the fascinating underworld of Dimanglet reef. How amazing it is to explore the undersea with diverse marine sanctuaries. Submerging below with your complete scuba diving gear is an adventure filled with excitement brought about by a group of Fuselier fish, the colorful parrotfish, and sea turtles swimming just before your eyes will stun you.  The corals, like the cabbage, giving colors and life to the animals below are breathtaking. One couldn’t take their eyes from these wondrous beauties a few meters below sea level.

 

3. EAST TANGAT WRECK

It is a small gunboat submerged in the ocean of Coron near the coastline of Tangat Island, measuring 40 meters long and tilted with its edge pointing above. The maximum depth is 20 meters, and sun rays can penetrate the underwater lighting the part below. Scuba diving beginners may be allowed until 10 meters, depending on the recommendation of the dive instructors. A beautiful coral garden settled just a few feet away from the shoreline. Various fish and corals are the best things you can see while snorkeling.

Photo credit to Tripadvisor

4. BARRACUDA LAKE

The name came from a type of fish wandering the vicinity of the lake. It is a mixture of salt and freshwater layers ranging from 82 to 100oF (28 to 38oC). Although no dazzling corals and flamboyant fishes are swimming beneath the lake, it showcases magnificent limestone pinnacles and a deep cave that is said to house the lake's only barracuda.

If you plan on engaging in Scuba Diving in Coron, Palawan, Skylodge Resort offers Discover Scuba Diving to its guest. The professional dive instructors guide the beginners with the basic skills. The resort has a pool measuring 8 feet which is suitable for the training of the guests who will take the Discover Scuba Diving. It is a preparatory training before immersing the divers in the enchanting dive spots in Coron, Palawan. DIVE WITH US NOW!

READ: How to go to Coron, Palawan

READ: Best Accommodations in Coron, Palawan

Author: Remson Tarcelo