OVERVIEW

Explore the main attractions in and around Coron beginning with an enlightening drive through the heart of downtown. There, you will see Coron’s only Catholic church, waterfront Lualhati Park and the Wet Market, where you will observe a genuine slice of daily life as the residents go about their shopping. A stop at a family-owned cashew store will reveal how these prized nuts are processed. In essence, once the acidic shells are removed, the cashews are toasted, sun-dried, sugar-coated or flavored with garlic powder. Maquinit Hot Spring, the only saltwater hot spring in the Philippines, lies just outside the city limits. You will have the chance to ease into the therapeutic spring and enjoy its soothing mineral-rich water. The mangrove forest that serves as a scenic backdrop will make the experience all the more delightful. Later, while visiting a fishing village, you might strike up a conversation with the residents and learn about their livelihoods.

HIGHLIGHTS

• View Coron’s landmark attractions on a panoramic drive through the downtown.
• See how cashews are processed and flavored at a family-owned store.
• Ease into a mineral-rich saltwater hot spring and enjoy its therapeutic benefits.
• Interact with the residents of a fishing village on the outskirts of Coron.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring sunscreen and a towel and wear comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Dive in the clear waters of Barracuda Lake and then head to the open sea, where you will dive a choice spot that will be chosen the day of the excursion. The adventure will begin in earnest at Barracuda Lake, which is named for a large barracuda skeleton that was found on the lake bottom. Although barracuda still inhabit the waters, you will more likely to see grouper, trevally and shrimp. Surrounded by limestone cliffs that continue underwater, the lake was once connected to the sea. It is still a mix of layered saltwater and freshwater. A different environment awaits you at the second dive site, either Twin Peaks Reef or Siete Pecados marine park. Both locations attract an abundance of reef fish that may include bi-colored parrotfish and scissortail sergeant majors. You may also catch sight of graceful stingrays, sea turtles and dugongs, manatee-like creatures that feed on sea grass.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Dive Barracuda Lake, which contains its namesake fish and plenty of other marine life.
• Notice that the surface of the lake is freshwater with warmer saltwater near the bottom.
• Observe everything from tropical fish to manatee-like dugongs at the second dive site.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring sunscreen and a towel and wear comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Observe the wonders underwater by snorkeling in a brackish lake and in the ocean or simply enjoy a refreshing swim at both locales. After settling into an outrigger boat, you will head for Kayangan Lake, a crystal-clear body of water that steep limestone cliffs rim. To reach the lake, you must walk down a lengthy staircase, but it is well worth the effort. Snorkelers can expect to see needlefish and miniature barracudas and perhaps shrimp in the rocks along the lake bottom. The aquamarine water is also ideal for swimming, as it is typically as smooth as glass. In time, you will cruise to Siete Pecados, a marine park of seven islets teeming with colorful fish such as Moorish idols, triggerfish, Napoleon wrasses and pygmy seahorses. You will also have option of swimming near the outrigger or remaining on board and taking in the scenery. The view of Coron from the marine park is particularly memorable.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to beautiful Kayangan Lake and Siete Pecados marine park in an outrigger boat.
• Observe the lake’s abundant marine life while snorkeling or only swim there if you wish.
• Look for colorful tropical fish and pygmy seahorses while snorkeling at the marine park.
• Enjoy the option of swimming at the marine park or remaining onboard to simply relax.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring sunscreen and a towel and wear comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Snorkel two reefs and a sunken shipwreck teeming with marine life before relaxing on a beach that precipitous limestone cliffs shelter. You will reach the sites on an outrigger boat that will make the adventure all the more enjoyable. There is no telling what you will observe just off Balinsasayaw although tropical fish are especially abundant. Twin Peaks Reef is another favorite snorkeling spot where you may see an even greater variety of marine creatures. Graceful stingrays, bi-colored parrotfish and scissortail sergeant majors are commonly seen around the coral reef. Then, there is Skeleton Wreck, a snorkeling and dive site named for the skeletal remains of a World War II Japanese gunboat. It lies in about 15 feet of water. A bit farther down the coast, you will stop at Beach 91, a beautiful stretch of sand that invites relaxing and doing nothing more ambitious than basking in the sun.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise an outrigger boat to three spectacular snorkeling sites and an idyllic beach.
• Observe tropical fish at Balinsasayaw and at Twin Peaks Reef.
• Snorkel the waters above the wreck of a World War II Japanese gunboat.
• Relax however you wish at beautiful Beach 91.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring sunscreen and a towel and wear comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a leisurely cruise in an outrigger boat along Coron’s immensely picturesque northern shore, where you will eventually stop to swim at a beach that rims a steep cliff. Be sure to look for sea turtles as you pass Siete Pecados marine park; they are often seen just beneath the water’s surface. Nearby, you will find the entrances to Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake, both of which contain brackish water, as the limestone-encased lakes were once part of the sea. That same sort of limestone forms cliffs that separate the two bodies of water at nearby Twin Lagoon and continue around much of the shoreline. You will then cruise over several coral gardens teeming with marine life before reaching Banol Beach, where you will be free to relax as you please and swim in the refreshing waters. The sugar-white sand, turquoise sea and backdrop of towering limestone cliffs are extraordinarily photogenic.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy cruising the photogenic northern shore of Coron in an outrigger boat.
• Pass a marine park and several coral gardens and lakes that were once part of the sea.
• Relax however you like at Banol Beach and swim in the turquoise waters there.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring sunscreen and a towel and wear comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Swim and snorkel in the stunningly clear waters of a lake surrounded by limestone cliffs, at popular beach and at a marine park not far off the tip of Coron. An outrigger boat will bring you to Kayangan Lake, which you can only reach by walking down a lengthy staircase. You can then swim in the lake’s cool brackish water and perhaps spot shrimp and needlefish and miniature barracudas while snorkeling. Another picturesque locale awaits you at nearby Banol Beach. Precipitous cliffs surround much of this pocket beach, imbuing it with a certain intimacy. You might snorkel just off shore, swim in the crystalline waters and stretch out on the powdery sand and bask in the sun. Following a picnic lunch, you will cruise to Siete Pecados, a marine park of seven islets teeming with colorful fish. Feel free to swim and snorkel once again or remain on board the outrigger and simply take in the beautiful scenery.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to three distinctly different settings that are ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
• Enjoy the clear, refreshing waters of a brackish lake, a bayside beach and a marine park.
• Admire the ever-changing tropical scenery while onboard the outrigger boat.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring sunscreen and a towel and wear comfortable walking shoes.