looking for Basic Information about Coron and Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines ?

Coron, Coron Town & Busuanga Explained – Learn the difference between the main island, the town, and the protected lagoons.

Top Attractions & Highlights – Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Mt. Tapyas sunset, and Maquinit Hot Springs.

WWII Wreck Diving & Freediving – Explore world-famous sunken ships and unique thermoclines in Barracuda Lake.

Island Hopping & Dream Beaches – Discover white-sand beaches like Malcapuya, Banana, and Black Island.

Best Time to Visit – Weather guide for dry and wet seasons in Northern Palawan.

Basic Information

Coron, Coron Town and Busuanga.
Confused ?

Coron Island: The Region’s Crown Jewel
When you see those iconic photos of dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and crystal-clear waters, you’re almost certainly looking at Coron Island. This is the region’s main draw, home to famous spots like Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Barracuda Lake. As the ancestral domain of the Tagbanwa people (officially recognized in 1998), the island remains a protected area with no hotels. The only exception is the floating Paolyn Houseboats, anchored in a picturesque lagoon.

Coron Town: The Vibrant Hub
Coron Town (also known as Coron Proper) is the urban center and capital, located on Busuanga Island, the largest in the group. This is where you’ll find your hotels, restaurants, bars, dive shops, souvenir stores, and the port for most island-hopping tours, including those to Coron Island. While not the most picturesque spot, lacking white sand beaches or a charming old town, Coron Town buzzes with life, dynamic energy, friendly locals, and vibrant evenings. It’s the ideal base for all your island adventures.

Busuanga: The Larger Island
Busuanga is the largest island in the Calamian Group, encompassing Coron Island. As mentioned, Coron Town is on Busuanga’s southeastern tip. The airport (USU), where most visitors arrive, is also on Busuanga, just outside Coron Town. Busuanga itself offers attractions like hot springs, waterfalls, and the Calauit Safari Park. For many, Busuanga serves primarily as the jumping-off point for exploring Coron Island and the surrounding islets.

To simplify:
Coron Island: The beautiful, protected island with famous sights. Your day-trip destination.
Coron Town: The lively town on Busuanga Island where you stay, eat, and book your tours.
Busuanga: The large island hosting Coron Town and the airport. The “mainland.”

Discover Coron & Busuanga: Northern Palawan’s Jewel

Nestled in the northern reaches of Palawan, Philippines, Coron and Busuanga are integral parts of the enchanting Calamian Islands. Busuanga Island, at 890 km², stands as the largest northern island in the Palawan district, while Coron Town, with approximately 50,000 residents, serves as its bustling capital.
This region is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes: think fine sandy dream beaches, lush jungle, verdant rock cliffs, and captivating underwater worlds. The waters here glow with an electric blue, and the sandy shores are world-famous.
Coron, Palawan, is a globally recognized diving paradise, especially famed for its unique Japanese WWII shipwrecks. Divers can delve into history, exploring sunken cargo vessels and gunboats teeming with spectacular coral formations and diverse marine life. For more on diving, click here. Freedivers particularly cherish Barracuda Lake for its clear waters, wild rock formations, and fascinating thermoclines.

stay connected – get a travel eSIM for your phone

use phone, whatsapp and google-maps wherever you go

Top Attractions & Activities from Coron Town

Island Hopping: This is arguably the quintessential Coron experience. Numerous day trips depart from Coron Town’s pier, visiting iconic spots like:
Kayangan Lake, often called the cleanest lake in the Philippines, is a breathtaking lagoon framed by towering limestone cliffs. Its crystal-clear, emerald waters offer a unique blend of freshwater and saltwater, making it a perfect spot for swimming and photography.
Twin Lagoon is a stunning natural wonder in Coron, consisting of two lagoons separated by a high limestone wall. To pass from the first lagoon to the second, you either need to swim through a small opening during low tide or climb over a set of wooden steps during high tide.
Barracuda Lake is a unique freediving and scuba diving destination known for its dramatic underwater rock formations and thermocline. Divers experience a fascinating temperature change as they descend, with the water shifting from cold to warm and back to cold again.
Beaches: While Coron Town itself doesn’t boast a typical beach, the surrounding islands offer many stunning shores. Popular island and beach tour stops include: Malcapuya Island, Banana Island, Bulog Dos Island, CYC Beach, Atwayan Beach, Banul Beach, and Black Island.
Attractions in & Around Coron Town:
Mount Tapyas: Climb 721 or 724 steps for a spectacular panoramic view of the town and surrounding islands, especially magical at sunset.
Maquinit Hot Springs: One of the world’s rare saltwater hot springs, located about 5 km east of Coron Town. These offer a relaxing soak (around 39-40°C) after a day of adventure, open until 10 PM (last entry 8 PM).
Coron Public Market: A vibrant hub for fresh seafood, Filipino specialties, and local produce.
Cashew Factory: Coron Town is a hub for cashew production. You can visit factories to see how cashews are processed by hand.

Attractions and Highlights of Mainland Busuanga

Wildlife & Marine Sanctuaries
Calauit Safari Park: A 3,700-hectare game reserve in northern Busuanga housing free-roaming giraffes, zebras, and endemic species like the Calamian deer. It offers a rare wildlife experience accessible via a land transfer and short boat crossing.
Ethical Dugong Watching (Calauit / Aban-Aban): One of Southeast Asia’s few remaining natural habitats to observe wild sea cows under strict local conservation guidelines. Tours operate primarily from northern Busuanga, saving hours compared to departing from Coron Town.

Inland Waterfalls & River Adventures
Concepcion Falls: A easily accessible freshwater swimming spot surrounded by lush jungle, ideal for a cooling dip during a mainland loop tour. Water levels are best between July and December.
Chinibayan & Degtayan Falls: Remote, off-the-beaten-path waterfalls that offer quiet freshwater pools without tourist crowds. They require a short trek, making them perfect for adventurous travelers.
Kingfisher Park & Mangrove Kayaking: A protected mangrove estuary ideal for daytime kayaking or evening tours to see bioluminescence and fireflies. It highlights Busuanga’s thriving coastal ecosystem.

Scenic Mainland Beaches & Cultural Hubs
Ocam Ocam Beach: A tranquil, palm-lined stretch on the northwest coast overlooking Black Island, perfect for quiet sunsets away from boat tours. It serves as a great land base for exploring northern reefs.
Marcilla & Lakdayan Beaches: Secluded golden-sand shores on the eastern side of Busuanga Island that offer uncrowded coastal views and calm swimming spots. They are great stops for a self-drive scooter itinerary.
Salvacion Town Center: The administrative capital of Busuanga municipality, providing an authentic look at local life, local markets, and affordable dining. It is the practical starting point for northern land tours and dugong excursions.

Best Time to Visit Coron

Located in the Calamian Group, Coron and Busuanga enjoy a warm tropical climate year-round, with average temperatures consistently hovering between 27°C and 32°C (80°F–90°F).
While the ocean water stays invitingly warm every month of the year, seasonal winds dictate rainfall, boat safety, and underwater visibility.

1. The Dry Season (December to May) — Best Overall
Weather: Sunny, blue skies, low rainfall, and clear seas.
The Wind Factor (Amihan): From December to February, cool northeast trade winds keep temperatures pleasant and humidity comfortable. March through May transitions into warmer, hotter weather with mirror-flat waters—ideal for photography and boat trips.
Best For: Island hopping, freediving in Barracuda Lake, wreck diving, and hiking Mount Tapyas.

2. The Rainy Season (June to November) — Off-Peak & Lush
Weather: Frequent afternoon downpours, higher humidity, and overcast skies.
The Wind Factor (Habagat): The southwest monsoon brings moist air from the Indian Ocean. While rains often come in fast, heavy bursts rather than all-day drizzles, typhoons in the region can occasionally cause boat tour cancellations.
Best For: Budget travelers, fewer crowds at popular lagoons, and exploring inland waterfalls like Concepcion Falls when they are at full flow.

Practical Travel Guide Essentials

Money & ATMs: Carry plenty of PHP cash; ATMs in Coron Town Proper frequently run out of cash or go offline during power outages. Major resorts accept cards, but local tours, tricycles, and small eateries are strictly cash/GCash.

How to Reach: Fly directly into Busuanga Airport (USU) via Cebu, or Clark. Alternatively, take overnight passenger ferries from Manila or fast ferries connecting directly from El Nido.

Island Transportation: Shared airport vans take 30–45 mins to Coron Town (~250–300 PHP/seat). Use local tricycles for short town hops, or rent a scooter/motorbike for flexible mainland Busuanga road trips.

Medical Care: Basic clinics, pharmacies, and a provincial hospital exist in Coron Town, but severe medical emergencies require evacuation to Puerto Princesa or Manila. Travel insurance with medical cover is essential.

Language & Friendliness: English and Tagalog (Filipino) are widely spoken everywhere. Locals are exceptionally welcoming, polite, and helpful to foreign travelers.

Safety & Scams: Extremely safe with very low crime rates. Watch out for unauthorized tour operators—always book through accredited local agencies and verify mandatory Eco-Tourism Fee (ETDF) receipts.