Coron
The world's best wreck diving and a lake so clear you see the bottom at 20m depth
About This Place
On 24 September 1944, US aircraft sank a fleet of Japanese supply ships sheltering in Coron Bay. Today, 12 Japanese warships — from patrol boats to supply vessels — lie at 15–40m depth, draped in coral and inhabited by enormous groupers, lionfish, and shoals of fusiliers. The Okikawa Maru's engine room, accessible through silt-bottomed corridors by torchlight, is one of the most atmospheric wreck dives on earth.
For non-divers, the islands above water are equally extraordinary. Kayangan Lake — accessible by a 10-minute climb over a limestone headland — has been called the cleanest lake in Asia. At 20m depth the bottom is still clearly visible through turquoise water. Twin Lagoon is reached by swimming through a low rock crevice — inside, warm freshwater sits above cool saltwater, creating a dramatic temperature shift. Barracuda Lake has a thermocline where the temperature shifts by 10°C as you dive through the freshwater-saltwater boundary.
Coron town is 1.5 hours by flight from Manila and still maintains the feel of a working fishing port. Island-hopping tours run ₹2,000–4,000 per person per day including lunch.
Why Go Here
Why It\'s Still Hidden
"Everyone goes to El Nido. Coron has more dramatic landscapes and the best diving in Asia."
How to Reach
Fly Delhi/Mumbai → Manila (5–7 hrs). Philippine Airlines/Cebu Pacific to Coron Francisco B. Reyes Airport (1.5 hrs from Manila). Book island-hopping tours on arrival.
Must-Visit Places
Best spots near Coron
natureKayangan Lake
The cleanest lake in Asia — a 10-minute climb over a limestone headland reveals a pristine freshwater lake of extraordinary turquoise clarity. Coral formations are visible at 20m depth. Swim across the lake to a second lagoon accessible through an underwater cave. Entry managed by the Tagbanua tribe.
Go first on your island-hopping tour — Kayangan fills with boats by 10am. Arrive at 7:30am for 20 minutes of near-solitude.
natureTwin Lagoon
Two lagoons separated by a limestone cliff — swim or kayak through a low rock crevice to enter the inner lagoon, where warm freshwater floats above cold saltwater. The temperature shift is physically noticeable as you dive through the thermocline layer at 1.5m depth.
Visit at low tide — the passage between the outer and inner lagoon is passable without equipment. At high tide you need to dive under briefly.
beachEl Nido — Secret Lagoon & Shimizu Island
From Coron, take a fast boat or plane-hop to El Nido — limestone karst islands enclosing turquoise lagoons. The Secret Lagoon (accessible by swimming through a narrow rock crevice) and Shimizu Island's coral garden are among the Philippines' most beautiful sea environments.
El Nido Tour A covers the best lagoons. Book early at your El Nido guesthouse — tours fill by 8am.
landmarkPuerto Princesa Underground River
A UNESCO World Heritage Site — a navigable underground river flowing 8.2km through a cathedral cave system, accessible only by paddle boat. One of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Located 90km from Puerto Princesa, 2.5 hours from Coron by ferry.
Book the Underground River permit at least 2 days in advance — it's limited to 900 visitors per day and the Sabang van transfers book out fast.
foodCoron Town Night Market
Every evening along Coron's main road, vendors set up grills serving fresh-caught tuna, squid, and pork barbecue. Order by weight, choose a sauce, and eat at plastic tables on the pavement. Fresh seafood for ₹300–500 per person — the most genuine food experience in Palawan.
Order the fresh tuna belly (lomo) grilled over charcoal — it's caught that morning and far superior to anything in Manila at a fraction of the price.
What to Do
Experiences in Coron
WWII Wreck Diving — Okikawa Maru
The largest wreck in Coron — a 168m Japanese tanker lying at 10–48m depth, penetrable through its engine room, cargo holds, and crew quarters. Schools of jackfish circle the superstructure, and black coral gardens cover the hull. The most atmospheric wreck dive in Asia.
Island-Hopping Tour
A full-day boat tour covering Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake, coral gardens, and two lunch beaches — the standard Coron circuit and the best introduction to the islands. Well-organised operators in Coron town run daily departures with a packed lunch.
Barracuda Lake Thermocline Dive
A brackish lake with a dramatic thermocline at 15m where 28°C water meets 38°C water in an abrupt thermal boundary. Below the thermocline, visibility drops and the water is sharply warmer — a unique physiological experience. Barracudas rest in the warm layer below.
Travel Tips
Before you go
Non-divers can do everything in Coron — island hopping, kayaking, swimming in Kayangan Lake and the lagoons. Scuba certification is only needed for the wrecks.
Book dive shops on arrival in Coron town rather than online — quality varies and in-person inspection of gear is important.
Coron has frequent power outages — charge all devices at your hotel during breakfast before the daily 6pm grid switch.
Fly Manila–Coron on Philippine Airlines (not Cebu Pacific) — the former has more reliable schedules and the 1.5-hr flight is worth the ₹500 premium.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen — the Tagbanua-managed lakes (Kayangan, Twin Lagoon) prohibit chemicals that damage coral. Buy Coral Guardian brand at Coron shops.
At a Glance
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