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Coron

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Coron is in the province of Palawan, Philippines on Busuanga Island. It is the largest town on the island and has the largest share of accommodations.

[edit] Understand

Coron is both the name of a town on Busuanga, and the name of the island just offshore. The island is famous for its wreck diving, 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 harbour were sunk in a daring raid by the US navy. The result is around ten well preserved shipwrecks surrounded with coral reef.

There are also attractions on Coron Island itself. There are many beautiful bleach white sand beaches, mostly tiny and surrounded by large limestone cliffs and wildlife. Barracuda and Kayangan lakes are both stunning locations, and the island also has a mysterious indegenous tribe who are notably shy of outsiders.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

[edit] By boat

  • SuperFerry [1] stops in Coron on their way to Puerto Princesa. Leave Manila on Friday afternoon (4:15pm)and arrives in Coron early Saturday morning (5:30 am). Heads back to Manila on Sunday night (10:45 pm). Wait until a couple of days before it departs to get cheaper tickets. Don't wait too long, though.

[edit] Get around

  • Tricycles are everywhere downtown. P7-10 for rides around town.
  • Motorcycles are available for rent. Look for Boyet's motorcycle rental shop and he will even provide you with a hand-drawn map of Busuanga island inclusive of interesting sites accessible by motorcycle. Rental is P500 for the first 8 hours. P1000 is charged for 48 hours or 2 days, P1500 for 3 days. The rates decrease for long-term rental. Gas is not included in the rental fee. Boyet's mobile phone number: 09282929884

[edit][add listing] See

  • There is a cross on the mountain above town, Mt.Tapyas. You can look at it from below or climb up the path. The climb up is worth to see the view of the small islands surrounded by glass-like water.
  • CORON sign Noticeable from the water is a Hollywood style sign up on a hill overlooking the town.
  • Mangroves, natural mangroves are abundant, with magnificent kayak paddling trails. (Local mangrove kayaking tours available through Kingfisher Park)
  • Kayangan Lake P200 entrance fee. Before approaching the lake, go over the cave and glimpse at the great view on top of the mountain. This view is the most photographed area in Palawan. It is also judged as the cleanest lake in the country.
  • Twin Lagoon. The water and towering rocks are great photos. On low tide, experience kayaking under the hole of the rock. At high tide, one can swim through the hole of the rock or a walkway can be used to get to the other side of the lagoon. P100 entrance fee.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Island hopping

Head down to the Market Pier and rent an authentic filipino bangka and captain (standardized rental costs vary by destination) Boats generally handle around 6 passengers. Grab a lunch before you head out. You can also buy meat, fish, veggies from the wet market and request the boat captain to barbecue or cook them for you or your group.

  • Coron Island - is a black limestone island with breathtaking cliffs cascading down to thirteen magnificent lakes (only two open to public) and powder white sand coral beaches. It is the home to local attractions Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Banol Beach, Twin Lagoon, and numerous snorkeling areas. Bring mask, fins, and snorkel to observe underwater rock formations. There is a pronounced thermocline, as the island's geothermal energy heats up the water as you decend into the lakes and water around the island. Ancestral home of the local Tagbanua people group.
  • Siete Pecados is popularized by the shoot of a local television show of a mermaid love story. Experience swimming in an aquarium, beautiful corals and a great variety of fishes. There is a caretaker who will collect P100 from tourists. Recommended time to snorkle is around 1pm to 2pm. Current can be strong in the morning. This is one of the best sites to snorkel in Coron. Myth suggests that seven kids swam from the main island to escape it and follow their parents. They all drowned and the place where they drowned is where the islands are now present.
  • Culion Island - the former leper colony. Offers a medical museum and presentation of the old leper colony highlighting the cure of leprosy. The public boat leaves Coron town at 12 noon daily and returns at 7:30 am the next day. Fare is P175.
  • CYC Island - is nice but gets very busy. It's the only free beach in the area. Entrance fees for the other beaches aren't too steep (P100).
  • Sangat Island - black limestone island with white sand beaches near most of the major WW2 wrecks in the area.
  • Malcapuya Island - Beautiful Island with very fine white sand beach just like Boracay (or better) but without construction. Entrance is P150-200.</do>
  • Banana Island - A longer boat trip from town is beautiful Banana Island, with it's white sand beaches and numerous Pacific Giant Clams (local accommodations recommended as it is far from Coron)
  • Black Island - another limestone island with white sand beaches located far from town. Nearby are tourist attractions North Kay and Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary (local accommodations recommended as it is far from Coron)

[edit] Diving

Lots of wreck diving and some decent coral as well. Discovery Divers (on the beautiful 'Discovery Island') and Sea Dive are the big ones, and Coron Divers the cheapest one in the island

  • Coron Divers, [2]. Is the only Dive Center owned by a Filipino. Arni is the big boss. Everything makes you feel in a Filipino family (even more if you stay at Chinette's Coron Reef Pension , just 10m away in front of Coron Divers).  edit
  • Discovery Divers, [3]. Tucked away on 'Discovery Island' a 10 minute boat ride from the pier. Talk to Vivian in Coron town located at the Discovery Bar or get to the pier around 8am to catch the boat out. Gunter is a great guy with a lot of experience in the area (18 years? I read that he discovered the Cathedral). Bryan Kim was a fantastic instructor/dive master. Larson and Melody(?) are really friendly as well. Larson seems to be the wreck dive specialty course go to guy.  edit
  • Dive Calamianes, Located between the Discovery Bar and downtown, [4].  edit
  • Rocksteady Dive Center, [5]. Rocksteady is professionally run by a friendly and very competent German instructor. Located near the hospital.  edit
  • Sea Dive, Downtown, [6]. You should book early to get a place at Seadive. This seems to be the centre of coron activity and the place that everyone wants to dive and stay  edit

[edit] Other activities

  • Kingfisher Park, [7] offering guided mangrove kayak tours (P500), trekking Mt Lunes Santo + bamboo cooked lunch (P500), and Starry Starry Night mangrove firefly/plankton cruises (P200). visit the website for tour booking details.
  • Maquinit Hot Spring. Offering large pools warmed by the geothermal water spring in the area. The hottest pools cascade into a large pool that empties into the ocean. Beautiful place to hang out in the evening after a long day of activities. (entrance P100) Accessible by boat or by tricycle from town (tricycle fee ~P300-400)
  • Banol Beach accessible by boat from Coron, features picturesque limestone cliffs going down to this beautiful white sand beach adorned with numerous large Kalachuchi flower trees. Nipa huts for lunch are located in the shade of the Kalachuchi trees. (entrance P100)
  • Skeleton Wreck is a snorkeling destination near Banol Beach off the coast of Coron Island where there is an old WW2 wreck. Around it are beautiful corals. Beware of sea urchins.
  • Atwayan Beach located on the backside of the Skeleton Wreck island near Banol Beach, Atwayan Beach features Nipa huts to have lunch, and a beach volleyball court. (entrance P50)
  • Beach 69 is not as good as Banol. Free if you come from Kayangan Lake however seems unmaintained. Beware of jellyfishes.
  • Mt. Tapyas hike - If you are staying in the Coron main town, you can walk to the foot of Mt. Tapyas or grab a tricycle for P7 (May 2008). The hike reportedly is a 700+-step stairs to the top, the entrance is found at the side of community basketball court. Experience a breathtaking view of the sunset, recommended to start setting out at 4pm.
  • Horseback riding
  • Mountain bike tours
  • Jungle Treks
  • Calauit Wildlife Sanctary An island inhabited by imported African wildlife living in harmony with Palawan wildlife. Safari tours available. (local accommodation is required as it is about a 4 hour boat trip from Coron)

[edit][add listing] Buy

The Market Pier is home to shops, stalls, slaughter houses, diners, and karaoke. Great for hearing early morning karaoke and picking up supplies. The smell can get pretty bad close to the slaughter houses.

  • Water - aquapure can hook you up with large containers of water and you can buy bottles basically anywhere in 500mL, 1L and 4L sizes.
  • Drugstores - plentiful. Contrary to what you may hear you can buy sunscreen, Off (bug repellant), shampoo and all that other good drugstore stuff.
  • Cashew Nuts - Hand roasted "kasoy" as this delicacy is called in the local language. A must try when you are in Coron. Better then what you can buy in your local supermarket!

[edit][add listing] Eat

There is food available for purchase at Coron Market and numerous bake shops around town. It's also recommended to buy fruits from the town market and have them prepared at the lodge you stay at free of charge (feel generous to provide a tip). Recommended to try local fruits such as mango, watermelon, jackfruit, coconut, but they are all seasonal.

  • La Sirenetta Beautiful waterfront restaurant on stilts offering international food with entrees ranging from P200-400. Recognizable on the water as sculpted mermaids adorn the posts supporting the roof of the open air dining area. (accessible through alleyway beside Coron Divers and Coron Reef Pension House and also by boat)
  • Bistro Coron Owned by Bruno it is home to French food at reasonable prices. Entrees go from P155-270 for the most part but crab and lobster meals are available for more. Get the onion soup, the apple pie, the coq au vin, the basquaise, the salade nicoise, the cordon bleu...San Miguel will set you back about P30. The good pizza would be excellent if the cheese was better.
  • Trining Bacsa Locally owned and operated restaurant located around the corner from Coron Market. Offers authentic Filipino cuisine.
  • KokosNuss Resort has a good kitchen. They have a Palawan style all you can eat BBQ deal. 6 or more people required at P475 each. They also have a Christmas feast on Dec 24 which is the BBQ and definitely worth going to if you are around (tell them in advance if you are going) San Miguel is P32. Breakfasts are good as well.
  • Kawayanan Grill has good food at very reasonable prices. It also has live performances. The menu reminds me of Gerry's grill and the likes.
  • The Old House has friendly staff and cheap food. No knowledge of it's quality.

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Bistro - you can also drink and play billiards at this amazing eatery.
  • Discovery Bar - chill on the beautiful balcony over the water and overlooking the bay. Relaxing atmosphere complete with hammock. Great place to get your dive theory out of the way at. One billiard table. In Coron
  • Ottos - Rock out to some AC/DC and enjoy spying on the hustle and bustle of Coron's main street.
  • The Old House - happy hour 5-7pm all you can drink rum and Coke for P50. Beer came with a coozie. Nice view of Coron's main street from the balcony.
  • Sea Dive A nice and lively seaside bar. It is full of interesting artifacts from the Coron wrecks that were placed there by the national museum.
  • Helldiver's Bar" - their signature drinks are great for the adventurous drinker, all for reasonable prices.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

You can camp on some of the (somewhat) deserted islands. There are a couple of islands to check out. You can find everything you need in town/at resorts. Ask around. Gunter at Discovery seems to know of a couple good spots. All info as of December 2006.

  • Busuanga Island Paradise,[8] is a forest resort 10 kilometers from Coron town, peaceful and private.
  • Coron Reef Pension, [9] is a few steps from Coron Divers. Aircon rooms for 2 pax with toilet and bath seaside Php900, other rooms Php600, Php 100 for an extra bed. Mobile Phone number 09198877151 and 09194501606
  • Coron Village Lodge, [10] twin room P950, triple Php1200,Deluxe room 1300, extra bed P200. All rooms can accommodate one extra bed. They are all airconditioned, with hot and cold shower, TV, private toilet and bath.
  • KokosNuss Resort,[11] is outside of town a 10 minute walk up the main road. The rooms all surround a beautiful garden great for lounging around on less adventurous days. The staff can help you arrange things to do around the island.
  • Krystal Lodge. A humble lodge situated in the mangrove area of Coron Town.  edit
  • Kubo Sa Dagat, translated "hut on the sea" is a 30 min boat ride out of town and offers cottages on stilts in the middle of the bay of Malbato. (only accessible by boat)
  • Mommitas Place, National Highway Bgy. Pob. 3 Coron, Palawan, ☎ +639082762553, [12]. checkin: 12 pm; checkout: 12 pm. Located along national highway bgy. pob. 3 coron, palawan with 6 rooms. 300. (subject to change without prior notice,) edit
  • Nipa hut rooms good for 2 or 3 at Php450, 14USD (shared bathroom) and 32USD (private bathroom) with fans. Large rooms built in the local style which means quite open to the air. Private bathrooms are clean. You may even acquire some gecko friends.
  • Sandoval lodge,[13]. Located at the center of the town of Coron, Palawan (corner Real St. and San Agustin St.) beside Calamian Planet Online and Corongaleri and very close to Coron Municipal plaza, hall, Market and Market Seaport. Room Rate Minimum of 2 Pax P 800.00 common cr/ room with private cr P 2,000.00 minimum of 4 person all room with aircon and cable TV with Free Wifi Internet Connections
  • Shirl Baywalk Pension House, bgy. pob. 3 coron, palawan, [14]. checkin: 12pm; checkout: 12pm. A newly built lodge beside coron bay and newly reclamation area of coron, palawan with 6 function aircon room, room rate from P 1,200.00 common cr aircon with tv minimum of 2 person + extra bed, room for 2 person with private cr aircon with tv P 1,500.00 + extra bed, room for 4 person aircon with tv and private t&b P 2,500 + extra bed contact +639082762553 750.  edit
  • Villa Hermosa Guest House, Corner San Augustin St and Real St. (Center of Town), ☎ +639082762553, [15]. checkin: 12 pm; checkout: 12 pm. Villa Hermosa guest house is a new lodge located in the town center next to former Kalamayan inn and Sandoval lodge. Owned and managed by Mrs. Susan dela Rosa 750. (750,) edit
  • Oriental lodging house, Bgy. Pob. 3 Coron (center), ☎ +639082762553, [16]. checkin: 1pm; checkout: 12pm. Oriental Lodging House Located infront of the PUV Terminal Besdie Coron Public Market MAO Building Php 1,500-2,080.  edit
  • L&MPe Sea Lodge&Restaurant, Bgy. 3 Coron,Palawan, ☎ +639395696879/+639217188643, [17]. checkin: 12pm; checkout: 12pm. Located right in the heart of the town, close to the market. Nearby Bus ,SUV, and tricycle terminal.. P400 up.  edit

[edit] Contact

  • Calamian Planet Online, BGY. POB. 3 (in the center), [18]. 8 am to 9pm. An Internet Cafe you may check your mail and print document and picture thru new imaging system of developing. P 30.00.  edit

[edit] Get out

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