Coron is a tropical island in the province of Palawan, Philippines that is best known for world-class WWII-era wreck diving, though the area also offers limestone karst landscapes, crystal-clear freshwater lakes and shallow-water coral reefs. Coron also refers to nearby Coron town, a basic transit hub on neighboring Busuanga Island where the airport and most accommodation is located, as well as daytime boat trips that are the only way to visit the tribally-protected island itself. Many visitors travel onwards to the El Nido region.

The Coron island area is famous primarily for its World War II wreck dives, and the site has been named in many lists of top dive spots in the world. In September 1944, a fleet of Japanese ships hiding in the harbor were sunk in a daring raid by the US Navy. The result is around ten well preserved underwater shipwrecks surrounded with coral reef.

Coron Island itself hosts the pristine Barracuda and Kayangan lakes, well worth a day trip to explore the perfectly clear, mixed fresh and salt water environments with a visible thermoclines and an unusual amount of aquatic life. Coron and many nearby islands are dotted with tiny white sand beaches, often surrounded by large limestone cliffs and wildlife, as well as extensive reefs for snorkeling. The island is the ancestral domain of an indigenous tribe who are managing the island in a sustainable way, preventing the encroachment of garbage and disallowing overnight access.

Visitors should note that Coron town and Busuanga island have limited tourist attractions beyond their excellent public hot springs, as steep cliffs mean that there are virtually no beaches on Busuanga itself. Almost all beaches and attractions are located on nearby small islands, which are only accessible via package boat tour (Php950-1500 per person), daily boat charter (Php3,500+ per boat) or by staying in one of the higher-end resorts (Php6,000-8,000 per night) that are the only accommodation option on most populated islands.


Gear Used:

Camera: Fuji X-T3
Lens: Fujinon 10-24 mm f4
Camera 2: DJI Osmo Pocket
Drone: DJI MAVIC 2 Pro