Coron

Palawan, one of the top tourist spots in the Philippines, is dubbed as the Last Frontier with its pristine natural beauty. One of the top destinations in Palawan is Coron.

Located in the northern tip of Palawan, Coron is part of the Calamines Group of Islands, near the fishing village of Busuanga, and is home to the Tagbanua tribe. When it comes to tourist attractions, Coron has a lot to offer vacationing tourists, including white sandy beaches, limestone formations, coral gardens, sheltered lakes, coves, the Maguinit Hot Springs, and Japanese naval wrecks from World War II, to name a few. Coron’s underwater attractions in particular has transformed the island into an underwater haven for avid divers and snorkelers.

Coron Attractions

Coron is a bountiful place that offers even the most discerning traveler a host of options. A number of these are:

Siete Pecados – The name literally means "seven sins". Legend has it that seven sisters swam to the main island to follow their parents and subsequently drowned. From the spot where each girl drowned, an island sprouted. Siete Pecados is a great snorkeling spot, and certainly one of the best in Coron.

Mt. Tapyas – hike to the peak of this mountain, which offers spectacular panoramic views of the Coron sunset. There are more then 700 steps leading to the summit, so be sure to bring some provisions with you. Setting out at 4:00 PM is recommended in order for you to reach the summit in time for the sunset.

Malcapuya Island – A truly pristine island boasting of a beautiful beach with very fine white sand (touted to be much finer than that found in Boracay). See how a white sand beach should be without the crowds and numerous resorts.

Barracuda Lake – Yet another amazing destination to go to when visiting Coron. A great snorkeling site, so be sure to have your goggles and snorkeling gear in tow. It is known for having a thermocline, meaning the water heats up as you descend into the lake.

Kayangan Lake – This lake was judged as the cleanest lake in the country, and that fact alone may make it worth the visit. Near the lake, there is a cave that offers visitors a great view. This spot is touted to be the most photographed area in Palawan.

Calauit Safari Park – A safari in the Philippines? Make no mistake, for it is indeed possible. The Calauit Safari Park is one of the most fascinating destinations in the island and a must-see for visitors. It is a Filipino version of an African safari, complete with giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and a host of others. The island has been declared as a game preserve and wildlife sanctuary in via Presidential Proclamation no. 1578 in 1976.

Japanese Naval Wrecks – These wrecks are the main tourist attractions of Coron. A bit of a history lesson here: These Japanese wrecks are a remnant of the Philippines’ participation in the Second World War. The Philippines was under Japanese rule and US forces were bombing the Japanese naval ships near Manila. To protect the other warships, a decision was made to deploy the ships to other safe places around the islands.

One of the places the Japanese navy went to was the Calamian Group, in Northern Palawan. The vessels were safely camouflaged among the islands, until a US reconnaissance team noticed that some of the islands in the area were moving. On September 24, 1944 the United States attacked the Japanese Imperial Navy in the area, sinking 24 warships around Busuanga and Coron. Once a symbol of defense and destruction, the wrecks of the Taiei Maru, Okikawa Maru, Kogyo Maru, Irako, Olympia Maru, Kyokuzan Maru and the Akitsushima are now one of Coron’s biggest attractions.

Best Times to Go

Rainy season in Coron is similar to Metro Manila, and occurs during June to October. The best months to come here are from January to May.

Accommodations

Coron has somewhat become a mecca for both local and foreign travelers, so you will not have a difficult time finding accommodations that suit your needs. Most hotels and lodges also offer tours and vacation packages of the island, so you may want to ask your concierge about what they have to offer.

Coron Island offers its visitors the stunning beauty that they came to Palawan for; from the blinding white beach and turquoise waters of Banol Beach, to the crystal clear waters of Kayangan Lake, a day of island hopping in Coron Island leaves tourists satisfied, but at the same time, leaves them wanting to go back for more.