Visit Coron, Palawan, Philippines

Coron, on Busuanga Island at the northern end of Palawan, is a place of steep limestone islands, still mountain lakes and some of the clearest water in the Philippines. Under the surface of its bay lie the wrecks of Japanese ships sunk in World War II, which make it one of the best wreck-diving destinations in Asia. It’s smaller and less developed than El Nido, and pairs well with it.

What to see

Kayangan Lake. A short, steep climb from the boat leads to a viewpoint over the lagoon, then down to a lake of startlingly clear water among the cliffs.

Barracuda Lake. A favorite with divers and snorkelers, where the water changes temperature as you go deeper.

Twin Lagoon and the beaches. Island-hopping boats stop at lagoons, coral gardens and white-sand islets around Coron Bay.

The wrecks. On 24 September 1944, US carrier aircraft attacked Japanese supply ships sheltering in Coron Bay and sank many of them. Around a dozen wrecks now lie at depths suited to everyone from snorkelers to experienced divers.

Mount Tapyas. Climb the steps above Coron town for sunset over the bay.

Getting there

Flights from Manila and other cities land at Busuanga’s airport, a drive from Coron town. Boats also run between El Nido and Coron, a crossing of several hours that depends on the weather. See our guide to Palawan tour packages for 7- and 10-day routes with El Nido.

When to go

The dry season, roughly November or December to May, brings calm seas for island-hopping. From about June to October, the southwest monsoon can cancel boat trips. See the best time to visit Palawan.

Planning it with My Way Travel

We plan private Palawan trips with flights, private boats and named hotels in one itinerary. Have a look at our Philippines tours or tell us your dates. See also Palawan and El Nido.

Sources: Pacific Wrecks and Dive Magazine on the Coron Bay wrecks; My Way Travel’s Palawan guides. Last checked October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is Coron known for?

Its clear lakes and lagoons, such as Kayangan and Barracuda, and the World War II Japanese shipwrecks in Coron Bay.

How do you get to Coron?

Fly from Manila to Busuanga, or take a boat from El Nido, which takes several hours depending on the weather.

Coron or El Nido?

El Nido for beaches and limestone islands, Coron for lakes and wreck diving. With a week, you can do both.

Photo: Patrickroque01, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.