Unique & Extraordinary: What Makes Coron Truly Special?
Once in a Lifetime
Don’t Leave Without Doing These: Coron’s Unique Highlights
Coron is not just another tropical destination; it is a place of superlatives. While most travelers come for the famous lagoons, there are certain activities here that are nearly impossible to find anywhere else on the planet. If you want to dive deep into the soul of the archipelago, these are the “must-dos” for your bucket list.
World-Class Wreck Diving: The Sunken Fleet
Coron is world-renowned for its underwater museum of Japanese warships from World War II. In 1944, a fleet was intercepted and sunk here, leaving behind massive wrecks that are now encrusted in vibrant coral and teeming with marine life.
The Experience: You can penetrate cargo holds, see old engine rooms, and glide past massive boilers.
Pro Tip: If you are a diver, don’t rush this. Plan at least 3 to 4 days to truly explore the variety of ships, from giant freighters to smaller gunboats.
Freediving & Mermaiding: The Perfect Sanctuary
Coron offers arguably the best conditions for freediving and mermaiding in the world. Barracuda Lake is a geological marvel—a wind-sheltered “cathedral” of rock with no waves, no current, crystal-clear visibility, and unique thermoclines (layers of warm and hot water).
Freediving: It is the perfect training ground to focus on your breath and depth without the distraction of ocean swells.
Mermaid School: Coron hosts the only mermaid school in Palawan! You can learn the grace of mono-fin swimming and capture truly surreal holiday photos.
Expert Recommendations: For professional courses and access to hidden underground lakes, visit Coron-Freedivin-Barracuda-Club or the Mermaid-Club .
Dugong Watching: A Rare Encounter
The Dugong (often called the “Sea Cow”) is a gentle, herbivorous mammal that is sadly near extinction. Busuanga is one of the very few places on Earth where you can visit them in an ethical, regulated environment.
The Experience: Watching these peaceful giants graze on seagrass is a deeply moving experience.
Who to Contact: For scuba divers, we recommend the Dugong Dive Center. For freedivers looking for a respectful encounter, reach out to Paula at barracuda-club for freedivers .
Private Island Hopping: Beyond the Masses
The rock formations and lagoons of Coron are world-famous for a reason—National Geographic consistently ranks them among the top in the world. However, the “A, B, C” group tours can be crowded.
The Secret: Book a private boat. This allows you to adjust your schedule to beat the crowds and discover “Secret” lagoons and remote beaches that the big tour groups never see. It’s the only way to experience the true majesty of the cliffs in silence.
Need help to find a private Boat and Tourguide ?
Just drop us a note and we get back to you in 24 hours.
Culion: The Island of No Return
For history enthusiasts, a trip to the neighboring island of Culion is essential. For decades, it was the largest leper colony in the world and was feared as the “Island of No Return.”
Today: Leprosy has long been curable, and the colony is a thing of the past, but the history is preserved in a fascinating museum and through the town’s unique architecture.
Guided Tours: We highly recommend a town tour—often led by the local pastor—to understand the moving history of this resilient community. [Learn how to get there in our Culion Guide here].
Calauit Safari Park: A Surreal Legacy
In the north of Busuanga lies the Calauit Safari Park, a collection of African animals (giraffes, zebras) and endemic Philippine species. Established during the Marcos dictatorship era, it remains one of the most unusual sights in Southeast Asia. We list it here for its sheer uniqueness, allowing you to form your own perspective on this exotic piece of history.
“Off the Beaten Path” – Hidden Gems
Not Unique, but also not “everyday”
If you have already ticked off the big sights, try these for a more relaxed afternoon:
Floating Seafood Lunches: Spend an afternoon on a floating house in the middle of a turquoise bay, enjoying the freshest catch of the day. You can book a tour there with the Mermaid-Club-Coron.
The Sandbar Walk: Wait for low tide and walk across a shimmering sandbar to reach a completely uninhabited island. Check out Lakdayan Beach
The Glow Tour: Paddle a kayak through the mangroves at night to witness the “double magic” of fireflies in the trees and bioluminescent plankton glowing in the water. See our article about kayaking and infos about the Riverhouse.
Farm Life & Local Fishing: Near the airport (Decalachao area), you can step away from the coast and into the heart of the island. The local hotel “Riverhouse” can arrange a visit to a traditional farm, where you can learn about rice planting and the rhythms of village life. Alternatively, you can head out on a fishing tour with locals—not on a tourist boat, but on a traditional banca, learning the techniques used by generations of islanders.
Interested ? Just send us a mail and we connect you within 24 hours
connected themes :
Coron is on the Top10 list of
best dive spots in the world.
Here is why.
Explore Coron’s Iconic Lagoons & Beaches Your Guide to Unforgettable Island Hopping Tours.
Meet Busuanga’s Gentle Giants,
learn about Marine Life and Support Conservation.
what you need to know about freediving in Coron and Busuanga
