Coron, Palawan: A Place That Stays With You

Imagine stepping off a tiny plane and landing somewhere that doesn’t feel real. The water is so clear it looks filtered. The sand? White like powdered sugar. Welcome to Coron — the kind of place that doesn’t scream for attention, but leaves a mark anyway.

I’ve been here before. And even now, I catch myself wanting to go back. Again and again.

Getting to Coron

By AirThere are multiple daily flights from Manila to Coron via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. A short ride, but trust me — it’s one worth prepping for.

By SeaIf you’ve got time and want to slow down, you can also take a 13-hour ferry from Manila to Coron. It’s not the most efficient way to travel, but it’s an experience in itself.

Our Adventure

Bright and early, our journey kicked off from Manila to the island of Coron. Boarding a snug Cebu Airlines propeller plane, designed for just about 60 people, we were airborne for a short flight lasting around an hour and a half. If you're heading out from Manila, my advice—arrive a good two hours early. The queues at the airport can stretch longer than you'd anticipate, and the terminal feels more like a bustling marketplace than a departure lounge.

To save yourself from potential heartache (and missed flights), I highly recommend checking in online and keeping a screenshot or printout of your boarding pass handy. The Philippines' network can be unpredictable at best, so it's better to be prepared than sorry.

Securing a window seat is a must on this flight. The aerial views of the Palawan islands are something straight out of a travel vlogger's dream—you won't want to miss it. However, my excitement took a bit of a nosedive upon landing. Despite its popularity among tourists, Coron's airport felt forgotten by time: small, aged, and in dire need of a facelift. It's the first glimpse visitors get of this paradise, and frankly, it could be a lot more inviting.

Our ride from the airport, arranged by the travel agency, navigated through a mix of rugged and smooth roads to ASIA GRAND VIEW Hotel. About 35 minutes later, we were greeted by a lush garden oasis, bursting with tropical fruits and flanked by two inviting pools. The ASIA GRAND VIEW HOTEL had spacious rooms with all the essentials and a restaurant with a viewdeck overlooking the breathtaking Coron Bay. The restaurant serves up hearty Filipino favorites, such as Pancit, Sinigang, and other Filipino favorites.

ASIA GRAND VIEW HOTEL Viewdeck

Pancit

Mt. Tapyas & Town Life

Coron town is raw, colorful, and real. You’ll pass kids playing in the street, scooters buzzing by, and storefronts blasting music.

We climbed all 700 steps to the top of Mt. Tapyas, and I won’t lie — it’s a leg workout. But the view? Worth every burning quad. The whole town opens up beneath you, wrapped in ocean and mist.

Drone view of the Asia Garden

Tricycle

At the summit of Mt Tapyas

The Ultimate Coron Boat Tour

Next morning, it was time for the boat tour — the reason most people come to Coron. Our boat was docked behind a sketchy little plank bridge that looked like a tetanus shot waiting to happen, but once we were aboard, all was forgiven.

First stop: Coral Garden. Unreal. The water is that clear. The reef is that alive. It’s like snorkeling through a living kaleidoscope — fish, coral, light all dancing around you.

But then… disaster.

I brought my drone to get those cinematic aerial shots — and I did — until I tried landing on the boat. A wave rocked us, and bam. The drone clipped the edge and crashed into the sea. One of the crew dove in and grabbed it, but it was toast. Just like that, $1K gone to the salt gods.

Still, the tour continued. Lunch on Beach 91 was a highlight — seafood, rice, and Filipino dishes served buffet-style under palm trees. I could’ve sat in that hammock all day, letting the ocean breeze remind me to breathe.

Twin Lagoon — The Hidden World

If you do one thing in Coron, go to Twin Lagoon.

It's tucked between sharp cliffs and feels like something out of a dream. The water shifts from warm to cold as salt and freshwater blend. You swim through a crack in the rocks to get to the second lagoon, and once you’re in — silence. Stillness. Pure magic.

CYC Island + Kayangan Lake

We wrapped up the day on CYC Island, where hammocks hang between trees like they’re waiting just for you. No buildings. No vendors. Just nature doing its thing.

Final stop: Kayangan Lake — often called the cleanest lake in the Philippines. You hike up a rocky trail, then back down to reach it, but the moment you hit the water, time slows down. It's deep, clear, surrounded by cliffs, and feels like swimming in a sacred place. You can’t help but respect it.

Near the entrance of the Twin Lagoon

Beach 91- Catching a Starfish

Lounging on a hammock at the CYC Island.

View from our trek to the Kayangan Lake

Final Thoughts

Coron isn’t polished. It’s not trying to impress you. That’s what makes it unforgettable. You’ll get scraped by coral, lose a drone, burn your shoulders under the sun — and still leave feeling more alive than you’ve felt in a while.

If you ever make your way to the Philippines, don’t skip Coron. Come for the lagoons, the reefs, the history. Stay for the stillness, the stories, and the feeling that even when things don’t go perfectly… it’s still perfect.

 Best Things to Do in Coron

• Coral Garden snorkeling

• Twin Lagoon exploration

• Kayangan Lake trek

• CYC Island hammocks

• Climb Mt. Tapyas

• Eat like a local in town

Tips for Travelers

• Book flights early and check-in online

• Always bring backup power and cash

• Don’t drone over boats unless you’ve practiced it

• Bring reef-safe sunscreen — protect what you came to see

• Consider a private boat tour if you want flexibility