Coron town
First-timersThe harbour town, with dive shops and hostels.
Coron town guide
Things To Do In Coron
Wreck diving on a Japanese fleet sunk in the Second World War, crystal lakes inside limestone walls, and lagoons as spectacular as El Nido's, a few hours north.
36
Hostels in the city
8.1
Average, from 4,774 reviews
1944
The fleet sunk
4 h
Boat to El Nido
Wrecks
World-class diving
The wrecks and the lakes
Coron is a town on Busuanga island in northern Palawan. In September 1944, American planes sank a fleet of Japanese supply ships in its bay, and the wrecks, now covered in coral, are among the best wreck dives in the world.
The island of Coron itself, across the bay, is a fortress of limestone cliffs hiding lakes and lagoons of astonishing clarity.
Three or four days is right.
Where to stay
Coron town, on Busuanga Island, is where almost everyone stays: a harbour town with dive shops, hostels and restaurants. The famous lakes and lagoons are on Coron Island, across the bay by boat.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 10 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Coron
In September 1944, American planes sank a fleet of Japanese supply ships in Coron Bay, and the wrecks now make it one of the best wreck-diving sites in the world. Several lie in shallow water accessible to snorkellers, while deeper ones need advanced certification.
Coron Island, across the bay, is a wall of limestone cliffs with lakes inside. Kayangan Lake, reached up limestone steps, has the most photographed view in the Philippines from the viewpoint on the climb. Barracuda Lake is a dive site where the water changes from warm to cold in layers. The Twin Lagoon, two lagoons joined through a gap in the rock, is entered by swimming or by ladder.
Climb the 700-odd steps up Mount Tapyas, above town, for sunset over the bay, then soak in the Maquinit hot springs, a saltwater spring by the mangroves.
Calauit Safari Park, a long drive north, has giraffes and zebras brought from Africa in the 1970s.
Free things
Free things to do in Coron
Mount Tapyas is free to climb, and the sunset from the top is the best free thing in Coron.
The town's harbour and market are free to wander. Every lake and lagoon on Coron Island charges an environmental fee.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Coron
Coron's restaurants serve fresh seafood, Filipino dishes and food for travellers. Cashews are grown locally and sold everywhere.
Island-hopping tours include a beach lunch of grilled fish and fruit.
A meal is €3 to €8.
Nightlife
Going out in Coron
Coron town has a few bars, some with live music, mostly busy with divers swapping stories.
A beer is €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around Coron
Busuanga airport is about forty minutes from town by van. Flights come from Manila and Cebu.
Boats run to El Nido, about four hours, in good weather. Island-hopping and dive boats leave from the town harbour.
Tricycles get around town.
Costs
What Coron costs
Coron is mid-priced. Dorms start around €10 and a careful day is €25 to €40, plus diving and tours.
Shared island-hopping tours are about €20 to €30, plus environmental fees at each lake and lagoon. Wreck dives are around €35 to €50 each.
The currency is the Philippine peso (PHP); prices here are euro equivalents, at roughly 65 pesos to the euro. ATMs exist but can run out; bring cash.
Safety
Staying safe in Coron
Coron is safe. Wreck diving inside the ships needs advanced or wreck certification; choose a reputable dive shop.
Kayangan Lake's steps are steep; wear proper shoes.
Typhoons hit roughly from June to November and can cancel flights and ferries for days; build slack into island plans.
Emergency number is 911.
Day trips from Coron
Lakes, wrecks and an unlikely safari park.
Coron Island
Kayangan Lake and the Twin Lagoon.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The dry season is the season for diving.
1 Oct – 31 Dec
Coron Town Tour
From thermal hot springs to a 700-step climb up Mount Tapyas, this guided tour covers Coron's highlights in a single day. You'll soak in…
1 Sep – 31 Dec
Calauit Safari & Black Island Tour
A scenic boat ride from Coron town weaves through the uninhabited islands of Gutob Bay before reaching Calauit Island, where giraffes and zebras roam…
1 Oct – 31 Dec
Reefs & Wreck Tour
Coron draws divers and snorkelers to its striking combination of WWII Japanese shipwrecks and thriving coral reefs. At Siete Pecados Marine Park, you can…
1 Sep – 31 Dec
Dugong Watching
Dugongs are gentle, elusive marine mammals, and Coron offers a rare chance to snorkel alongside them in their natural habitat near Dimipac Island. Beyond…
3 Sep – 31 Dec
Filipino Cooking Class
Starting at the local Palengke, you'll shop for fresh ingredients the way Filipino cooks have for generations before heading back to the kitchen to…
Hostels
Where to stay in Coron
The top-rated places to stay in Coron right now, live from Hostelworld.
Kaiz Hostel
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Outpost Hostel - Coron
Dorms from €13 a night
See dates and book
Hop Hostel
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Sustainable
A Casa Portuguesa Boutique Hostel
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Footprints Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Avisala Hostel Coron
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
BAMBAM Hostel
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
MyGuide Travellers Inn
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Screaming Gecko Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Dayon Hostel
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
When to go
December to May is dry.
Jan
Cool and dry
Feb
Dry
Mar
Dry
Apr
Hot, Holy Week
May
Hot
Jun
Rains begin
Jul
Typhoon season
Aug
Typhoon season
Sep
Typhoon season
Oct
Wet
Nov
Drying
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Prices are in pesos locally; these are euro equivalents. Excludes diving and tours.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Coron travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Can I see the wrecks without diving?
Some are shallow enough to snorkel. Deeper wrecks need advanced certification.
What is Kayangan Lake?
A clear lake inside Coron Island, reached by limestone steps, with the famous viewpoint on the way up.
How do I get there?
By flight to Busuanga, forty minutes from town, or by boat from El Nido.
Are there fees?
Yes, environmental fees at each lake and lagoon.
How many days do you need?
Three or four.
When is the best time to visit?
December to May.
Is Mount Tapyas worth it?
Yes, for sunset over the bay; about 700 steps.
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare Coron hostels — live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.