The Philippines? Why not? The only difficult thing was choosing where to go! Inevitably, every person will recommend something different but there was one island that was mentioned in every single blog: Palawan. And trust me, once in the area, Coron is a paradise! This blog will be photo and video heavy to share this paradise from my perspective 😊
Palawan itself is large and has a lot to offer, but when you deep-dive in the “must-visit” or more scenic places, El Nido and Coron were always highlights for adventure tourism and incredible landscapes apart from the expected tropical beaches.
When exploring El Nido, it became obvious exploring this part of the world is only complete if you make it also Coron. It´s a different island and municipality already. The interesting part is there are “3 Corons”:
Coron Town Proper: Located on the southeast coast of Busuanga Island. It is the commercial hub, home to hotels, and lacking natural sandy beaches. This is where you actually stay, as a gateway to the surrounding paradise.
Coron Island: A separate, wedge-shaped limestone island located just offshore. This is where the famous lakes, lagoons, and dramatic cliffs are found.
Coron Municipality: The larger administrative region comprising part of Busuanga Island, Coron Island, and 50 other minor islets
Tucked away in northern Palawan, Coron is known for its crystal-clear turquoise lakes, dramatic limestone cliffs, and world-famous WWII shipwreck diving sites. With hidden lagoons, vibrant coral reefs, and breathtaking island-hopping views, it’s one of the Philippines’ most unforgettable tropical escapes. It promised even more rugged landscapes and incredible nature, so “not only beaches”.
How to get there?
It is possible to fly to Coron, via small international airport in Clark (about 3 hours from Manila), but it´s also very popular to go by ferry from El Nido. There are 2-night expedition boats where you cruise, visit few places and stay on a small island every night. But there is also a direct ferry from El Nido to Coron (what I did), which takes approximately 4 hours.
Kayangan Lake
Kayangan Lake is Coron’s most iconic attraction, famous for its unbelievably clear water, towering limestone cliffs, and its postcard-worthy viewpoint. It can be accessed by the popular “Super ultimate tour”, (great marketing!) or by private boats from Coron.
When you arrive, you need to use the walkboard you see in the picture above, incredibly scenic, then ascend to the panoramic view. The mini climb takes about 15 minutes, not long but it is steep! The path is well marked by stairs but you never lose the feeling of being in raw nature. Occasionally you can find monkeys in the forest as you ascend or descend!
The visiting strategy
I hired a private boat to be there as early as possible and avoid the crowds. It was worth the investmernt since I could stay as long as I wanted and indeed I avoided the big crowds. As a solo traveler, it was definitely a splurge! 😊 But if you are traveling in a group even if small, it can get really cheap per person. In return, you get the full benefit of your private boat, captain, itinerary and wishes. Depending on few factors and negotiations let´s say 100 EUR, but if you can afford it… fully recommended!
The picture below was early morning, approximately 9 am, very close to the place where my boat docked before many other boats arrived. When I came back, I could not have taken that picture just by myself to show a clean view of the cliff and water visibility from above.
To get to the actual swimming area, you descend from the viewpoint to the other side of the cliff. That´s why from the “postcard view” you only see boats and the walkboard, but the permitted area for swimming is on the other side. It´s actually nice as you get a “nature-only” view, and the traditional Filipino boats, called Bangka. They add to the scenery with their distinct design.
For me, more than the lake itself.. getting there and the surroundings was completely out of this world. The picture below is already in the swimming area. As always, you know I am going to explore it, do some photography and then get in the water!
Often called the cleanest lake in the Philippines, its calm emerald waters are perfect for swimming and snorkeling, with unique underwater rock formations adding to its beauty.
After taking care of my photography duties 😊, I spent quality time swimming in this incredible place. In retrospective, I should have taken my snorkel, not because of abudance of fish or corals, but the rock formations. Thankfully, it was easy to appreciate it also from above! Good news, the BEST place to see underwater was only yet to come..
Quick videos of the entrance to the lake. Both sides of the cliff were equally impressive!
More pictures to complete this part! There isn´t much to add really, it´s a natural spot, it was very clean and you are forced to use a life vest to enter the swimming area, but funny rule is, you do NOT need to have it on but you do need to jump with it, and have it close to your body floating on the water. Fair enough. It is deep and there have been accidents, it may be annoying but I agree safety first!
One more shot taken from the internet. Credits to their authors! I could not fly my drone after all (long story, but I will probably go deeper when I do El Nido blog)
Twin Lagoon
Twin Lagoon is also one of the most beautiful places in Coron, with two hidden lagoons surrounded by huge limestone cliffs rising straight from the water. Compared to Kayangan Lake, here it´s possible to go around the 2 lagoons by kayak which was a big plus for me.
The cliffs were formed millions of years ago and make the whole place feel very hidden and peaceful. To reach the second lagoon, you either swim through a small opening under the rocks or climb a short wooden ladder, depending on the tide, which makes the experience even more fun and unique.
The water changes color during the day, from bright turquoise to deep emerald, especially when the sunlight hits the cliffs. The lagoons are also known for their thermocline effect, where warm saltwater and colder freshwater mix together, so you can suddenly feel the temperature change while swimming.
With the calm water, massive rock walls, and “hidden entrance”.. (kinda.. but let´s cooperate) Twin Lagoon honestly feels like a secret place from another world. I chose to explore it extensively via kayak, in my opinion the best way to really go around the 2 lagoons, then I didn´t do the official and crowded “crossing” from one lagoon to another but I saw the spot. Instead, I kayaked all the way around it, adding more quality and exploration time with different backgrounds and water depthts!
As you kayak, you float though different colors. That´s why some pictures may look like they are different places but it´s how rich and beautiful this place is. I tried to combine Insta360 with phone pictures + kayaking + swimming in the end. (That was a lot of work! hehe)… but that is 100% myself and my version of enjoying a paradisiac place. It´s not only in THAT moment, but forever again via my visual memories.
Fun fact: By the time I kayaked all over the place, already tired and sweaty, most the crowd was gone already in the clearest part of the lagoon, the so perfect moment to finally swim and relax 😊
Some of my favorites pictures put together in a reel!
Bonus: Panoramic shot taken from my Insta360 allows me to frame this orientation afterwards. Fully recommended camera!
Barracuda lake
My unexpected WOW!! Barracuda Lake is one of Coron’s most unique snorkeling, diving and swimming spots, famous for its surreal underwater limestone formations and dramatic thermocline layers where the water temperature suddenly changes as you descend. I almost missed it, thinking it´s only exciting for divers but thank God I did visit!
While I could not experiment the temperature change, provided that I didn´t do free diving, I could see some “layers” underwater. At first I thought my mask got dirty but I learned later some of that was the effect of these layers that gives you the impression of being “oily” at times.
Hidden between towering cliffs, the lake has an almost otherworldly feel, with crystal-clear water that reveals massive rock walls and deep underwater landscapes below the surface. They go up to 40-50 meters down, plus the 50 meters above the surface, it makes the whole wall almost 100 meters long, and you get to see it both. I mean it´s just crazy and I cannot even describe HOW CLEAR it is, you have to see it to believe it!
Despite its name, barracudas are rarely seen here — the lake actually became famous for freediving and scuba diving because of its exceptional visibility and unusual mix of fresh and salt water. The deeper you go, the warmer the water becomes, creating a strange floating sensation that makes diving in Barracuda Lake unlike anywhere else in Coron-
Best I could do from the surface to show you this place! Watch my videos!
The best way to describe the feeling is like “floating beside submerged cliffs” while snorkeling. Barracuda Lake is unusual because the limestone walls continue dramatically underwater with exceptional visibility, so it almost feels like flying through a canyon.
What originally was a curiosity because it was close to the Twin Lagoon, became one of my biggest WOW moments in Coron. It almost inspired me to learn how to dive properly, but the truth is it still terrifies me, so I am ok to snorkel. But the surprising factor was how incredible the view was even by the surface.
That combination is genuinely rare — which is why so many people remember Barracuda Lake more vividly than ocean dives. So yes, yes, yes.. all the fuzz is real! NatitaTravel approved!
Shipwreck snorkeling
Brief history: On September 24, 1944, the US Navy launched a surprise airstrip on a fleet of Japanese supply ships hiding in Coron Bay. In under an hour, at least seven massive ships were sunk. They now serve as world-renowned, coral-encrusted wreck diving site
This would read better as “shipwreck diving“, but in my case I am terrified of diving as I said…. so snorkeling it is! The good news is you can still see very decently 2 Japanese shipwrecks just by snorkeling! One of them is still visible, but to get the finest detail you do need to free dive a little bit at least. But the second shipwreck was SO close to the surface that it was super worth the snorkeljng.
Below a quick video of the experiene following one side of the ship
I was a little hesitant in the beginning.. “I am not into shipwrecks” hahaha… well… that´s because I did not imagine there could be so much life in there! So consider it a first-time for me, with the nice touch of being a historical ship and being in very clear waters in the world where no diving is needed.
When joining a boat tour, there are normally 4 routes. One of them goes a bit far with the objective or reaching these snorkeling and diving places together with other scenic locations, though everywhere you around Coron will be scenic, I promise! I did this on a different day joining a group tour.
Private islands
Ok, I don´t mean literally private islands. Each operator has access to certain islands for tourists to have lunch. In my case, being on a private tour when I did Kayangan Lake and the Twin Lagoon, the captain assessed the situation and went to the island that was equally beautiful but not crowded at the time. (appreciated!)
Fun fact: How on earth was I supposed to eat all that? I asked my small crew to have lunch with me, but for reasons I do not always understand, often the rule is that they cannot eat with customers. Then I heard in the hotel there are horror stories with lunatic tourists especially in private excursions, but well. Just came to my mind that sometimes this happens. For that reason, I ate by myself that day, totally fine but wished I had shared the time and space with my local, very friendly guides.
A selfie video walking on this island after my lunch.
More island hopping
On my last day in Coron and in the Philippines, I did a tour called “Island escapade“. It promised very nice beaches and sandbars and it did not dissapoint! Some of these places did take a while to get there, the first one for example was 2 hours away, but for me just enjoying the boat ride and getting the sea breeze in nice temperature was absolutely part of the experience I was looking for in a tropical place.
Bulog-dos-Island
Small island in Coron, Palawan, known for its iconic, snake-like sandbar connecting it to the Malaroyroy Peninsula and featuring powdery white sand and turquoise waters.
There is a short hike up a hill for panoramic , rocky landscape views. The island is indeed small and breathtaking to see the turquoise colors all around from the top!
With a nice view to the sandbar. Camera got blurry with the humidity but I still like it 😉
Same dynamics, getting off the boat, swimming to the sandbar, go up the hill, explore a little bit and finally go back to enjoy the warm water.
Ditaytayan sandbar
Ditaytayan Sandbar is a stunning, 150-meter-long “sand tongue” located on the northern tip of Ditaytayan Island in the Calamian group, located about 1.5 to 2 hours by boat from Coron Town,
The sandbar is best experienced during low tide when it fully emerges, allowing visitors to walk far into the turquoise ocean and enjoy a serene atmosphere away from the usual crowds
This is the island we had our lunch by this beautiful beach, I missed to document the moment as I was desperate to go back to the water 😊 (normal) I remember this was the warmest water. I mean, everywhere the water was nicely warm but for some reason one of the sides was like a pleasant hot tub..
.. ohh, writing this from Filand, it´s a happy memory but ironically makes me sad haha.. no offence Finland, still love you.
Malcapuya Beach
Often called “Little Boracay” because of its fine and soft white sand and beautiful turquoise waters with palm trees as background. I liked it to be fair, but in retrospective I am still super happy with my choice of “adventure” beaches with dramatic cliffs and unreal scenery. While this is stunning, it´s more a relaxing place but not much else to do. At least when people ask me if I went to Boracay when I mention Philippines, I can confidently say: “No, but I went to Little Boracay” 😊
My traditional “walking on the beach” Insta360 video that I´m taking lately 😊, why not?
Bonus: Balot!
Balot is a traditional Filipino street food consisting of a fertilized duck or chicken egg that has been incubated for 14 to 21 days before being boiled or steamed. It has warm broth, sipped first from a small crack in the shell, a creamy yolk, and a partially developed embryo, typically seasoned with a pinch of salt and a splash of vinegar.
I have to say, for my standards this was VERY WILD! I am usually picky with food and I don´t like many things, unfortunately, because that makes my life hard sometimes.
However, I don´t know from where I got the courage to try this. Likely from a canadian couple who tried this before me, they said it looked bad but the taste was actually quite ok. Or maybe the extreme sun exposure I had by then damaged by normal senses 😊 Not sure, but I am glad I tried.
.. surprisingly it tasted good, only too much vinegar for me. It was sold like candy, locals truly love it.
Conclusion
Too obvious, but let´s conclude. Coron is a paradise! I absolutely focused here in the beautifil places that can be accessed, not really in town. It´s well equipped for tourism, there is everything from cheap hostels to high-end hotels and villas. I stayed in a nice boutique place relatively far from the town center, but it was easy to take a tricyle. So it all depends on budget really 😊
I did not do much in the town itself other than having great seafood, as my trip for once in my life really was focused on the islands and enjoying the beaches as much as I could during my week in the Philippines.
Thank you Philippines! You had the kindest people and amazing nature, in a moment in my life where I really needed kindness. All trips are special certainly, but I know this will ALWAYS be a special one because of its timing.
Nat
