Quick Answer: The best things to do in Coron are island-hopping to Kayangan Lake and the Twin Lagoon, snorkeling the Coral Garden and Siete Pecados, diving the WWII shipwrecks, climbing Mt. Tapyas for sunset, and soaking in Maquinit Hot Spring. Visit between November and May for calm seas and clear skies.
Coron does not ease you in. You take a boat out on your first morning, round a wall of jagged limestone cliffs, and find Kayangan Lake sitting there like something the planet made to show off. The water is so clear it looks fake.
This corner of Palawan, on Busuanga Island, has become one of the Philippines’ headline destinations, all towering karst, hidden lagoons, and shipwrecks resting just beneath the surface. Here are sixteen things to do, from the famous lagoon tours to the quieter corners most day-trippers miss.
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Best Hotels in Coron
- Two Seasons Coron Island Resort. A secluded island resort reached by boat, with its own beach and reef.
- Club Paradise Palawan. A private-island eco-resort on Dimakya Island, great for divers and snorkelers.
- Sunlight Eco Tourism Lodge. A comfortable, well-located base in Coron town, walkable to the pier.
- Coron Soleil Garden Resort. A mid-range option with a pool, handy for early-morning island tours.
- Hop Hostel Coron. A social, budget-friendly pick for solo travelers and backpackers.
Best Tours in Coron
- Coron Ultimate Island Hopping Tour. The headline trip, hitting Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake, and a coral snorkel stop.
- Coron Shipwreck Diving Tour. Explore the famous WWII Japanese wrecks, a world-class dive site.
- Coron Town Land Tour. Mt. Tapyas viewpoint, Maquinit Hot Spring, and the local sights in one afternoon.
- Malcapuya and Banana Island Tour. Softer white-sand beaches and turquoise shallows further from town.
- Reef and Wrecks Snorkeling Tour. Siete Pecados marine park, Coral Garden, and the shallow Lusong Gunboat.
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16 Things to Do in Coron, Palawan for Lagoons and Wrecks
1. Swim in Kayangan Lake
Kayangan Lake is the reason you came. Reached by a short climb over a ridge that opens onto the most photographed view in Palawan, the water below is rated among the cleanest in the country.
It is a mix of fresh and salt water, ringed by limestone cliffs, and swimming in it feels otherworldly. Go early before the day-tour boats arrive to have a few minutes of the view to yourself.
2. Float Through the Twin Lagoon
The Twin Lagoon is split by a limestone wall you swim or duck under between two bodies of water at different temperatures. Where the cool fresh water meets the warm salt water, the surface shimmers strangely.
You can also climb the small ladder over the rock divide at higher tide. It is genuinely strange and wonderful, and one of the most memorable swims in the Philippines.
3. Snorkel Barracuda Lake
Barracuda Lake is a favorite of free-divers and snorkelers for its eerie thermoclines, where the water suddenly shifts temperature and the visibility stretches for meters. The submerged rock formations add to the alien feel.
It is calm, deep, and surrounded by towering cliffs, making it a standout stop on the island-hopping circuit. The blurry shimmer where the layers meet is unlike anywhere else.
4. Dive the WWII Shipwrecks
Coron is one of the best wreck-diving destinations on earth. A fleet of Japanese ships was sunk here during World War II, and they now rest in clear, accessible water teeming with fish.
Certified divers can explore larger wrecks that have become artificial reefs, eerie and beautiful in equal measure. Several dive shops in town run trips for all levels, including discovery dives for beginners.
5. Snorkel the Skeleton Wreck
You do not have to dive to see a shipwreck here. The Skeleton Wreck sits shallow enough to snorkel, its hull draped in coral and surrounded by thousands of fish just below the surface.
It is an accessible, jaw-dropping introduction to Coron’s underwater history. Bring your own mask if you can, as rental gear quality varies between operators.
6. Explore Siete Pecados Marine Park
Siete Pecados is a protected marine park of seven small islands, and the snorkeling here is superb, with vibrant coral gardens and clouds of tropical fish in shallow, clear water.
It is close to town and an easy add-on to a half-day tour. The healthy reef and the sheer density of fish make it one of the best snorkel stops in the area.
7. Climb Mt. Tapyas for Sunset
When your skin needs a day off from saltwater, Mt. Tapyas delivers. Around 700 steps lead to a viewing deck above the town, and the climb is worth it for the sunset over the bay and the islands beyond.
Go in the late afternoon when the heat eases and the light turns soft. The giant illuminated cross at the top is a local landmark and the views are the best in Coron town.
8. Soak in Maquinit Hot Spring
Maquinit is one of the few saltwater hot springs in the world, and a soak there at dusk is the perfect end to a day of stairs and snorkeling. The warm, mineral-rich water sits right at the edge of a mangrove.
It pairs naturally with the Mt. Tapyas climb on a land-tour day. Time it for after sunset, when the air cools and the spring feels its best.
9. Relax on Malcapuya Island
The headline lagoons get crowded, so set aside a day for the softer beaches further out. Malcapuya Island trades dramatic cliffs for proper powdery white sand and shallow turquoise water.
It is a longer boat ride, which keeps the numbers down, and the classic tropical-beach experience the lagoon tours skip. Bring a book and let the day go slow.
10. Visit Banana Island
Often paired with Malcapuya, Banana Island is another stretch of white sand and clear shallows, with good snorkeling just off the beach and a laid-back castaway feel.
Tours usually combine the two with a beach barbecue lunch. It is the day for swimming, snorkeling, and doing very little under a palm tree.
11. Snorkel the Lusong Gunboat
The shallow Lusong Gunboat is a favorite snorkel wreck, its hull breaking the surface at low tide and covered in soft coral and fish. It is one of the most photogenic snorkel spots in Coron.
It is often combined with the nearby Coral Garden, where the reef is dense and colorful. Both are easy, shallow stops perfect for non-divers.
12. Kayak Around Coron Island
If you are reasonably fit, renting a kayak and paddling around parts of Coron Island on your own is one of the most rewarding things to do here, letting you reach quiet coves at your own pace.
It is a peaceful contrast to the busy tour boats. Just watch the weather and currents, and go early before the day-tour traffic picks up.
13. Wander Coron Town and the Public Market
Coron town itself is small and ramshackle but worth an evening. The waterfront, the lively public market, and the cheap seafood eateries give you a taste of local life between boat days.
Grab fresh-caught fish grilled at a roadside stall, and browse the market for fruit and souvenirs. It is the authentic counterpoint to the polished island tours.
14. Eat Fresh Seafood by the Water
Coron’s seafood is exceptional and absurdly cheap. Waterfront restaurants serve just-caught fish, prawns, and squid, often grilled simply and eaten with rice and garlic.
A sunset dinner over the harbor, with a cold drink and a plate of grilled fish, is one of the simple pleasures of a Coron trip. Several spots let you pick your fish from the ice.
15. Visit a Calauit Safari Day Trip
For something completely different, Calauit Island on the far side of Busuanga is home to a safari park where giraffes and zebras, descendants of animals brought from Africa decades ago, roam free alongside native species.
It is a long but memorable day trip, often combined with mangrove forests and nearby beaches. Seeing giraffes against a Philippine landscape is as surreal as it sounds.
16. Watch the Sunset from a Boat
Many operators run dedicated sunset cruises around the karst islands, and ending a day on the water as the cliffs turn gold and pink is the perfect Coron finale.
Some include snorkeling stops on the way back, others just drinks and the view. Either way, the light on the limestone at golden hour is the image you will keep.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Coron, Palawan known for?
Coron is known for its dramatic limestone karst scenery, crystal-clear lakes and lagoons like Kayangan Lake and the Twin Lagoon, and world-class WWII shipwreck diving. It sits on Busuanga Island in northern Palawan, Philippines.
How many days do you need in Coron?
Three to four days is ideal: a full island-hopping day for the lagoons, a day for diving or snorkeling the wrecks, a land-tour day for Mt. Tapyas and the hot spring, and a flexible beach day to the quieter islands.
When is the best time to visit Coron?
November to May is the dry season and best for visiting, with December to March the peak for calm seas and clear skies. The rainy season from roughly June to October can disrupt boat tours.
Do you need to dive to enjoy Coron?
No. While the WWII wrecks are a famous dive site, many can be snorkeled, and the lagoons, lakes, and beaches are all enjoyable without diving. Snorkelers have plenty to explore at Siete Pecados and the Lusong Gunboat.
Key Takeaways
- The Ultimate island-hopping tour to Kayangan Lake and the Twin Lagoon is the unmissable first day.
- Coron is a top wreck-diving destination, but snorkelers can enjoy the shallow wrecks and marine parks too.
- The land tour, Mt. Tapyas at sunset and Maquinit Hot Spring, makes a great day off the water.
- Visit November to May, and save a day for the quieter beaches of Malcapuya and Banana Island.
Final Thoughts
Coron is one of those rare places that lives up to every photo and then some. Between the impossibly clear lakes, the sunken wartime fleet, and the quiet white-sand islands further out, it offers the kind of days that recalibrate your sense of what a beach trip can be. Go in the dry season, book the lagoon tour first, and leave room to simply float.