Weekend in Coron, Palawan

On a Friday night in summer of 2001, we took the overnight ship (Superferry) from Manila to Coron. We arrived in Coron at around 6 the next morning. Since we had no advance hotel reservation, we automatically looked for a place that was big enough for a group of 14. Coron had a limited range of accommodations then. We ended up staying in two separate inns on our first day but transferred to an inn/resort later where we stayed for the night.

Coron is both the name of a town on Busuanga, and the name of the island just offshore. The island is famous for its wreck diving, and the site has been named in many lists of top dive spots in the world. In September 1944, a fleet of Japanese ships hiding in the harbour were sunk in a daring raid by the US navy. The result is around ten well preserved shipwrecks surrounded with coral reef.
There are also attractions on Coron Island itself. There are many beautiful bleach white sand beaches, mostly tiny and surrounded by large limestone cliffs and wildlife. Barracuda and Kayangan lakes are both stunning locations

Unlike in El Nido or Puerto Princesa , there were no local travel/tour agency that offers island hopping packages then. It was chaos at first since most boats can’t carry a big group but we managed to commission a big boat for the island hopping adventure. After haggling for a good price, the boat owner (cum boatman) agreed to include our lunch altogether. When the trip arrangement was settled, we had an early dinner and slept early in preparation for the whole day island hopping activity the next day.

After a quick breakfast, everyone was eager to start the trip, when everything was set,we took off. It was a short boat ride to our first stop was Kayangan Lake in Coron Island, it was a short uphill hike with the wonderful view of the sea and the limestone islands. After snorkeling and taking pictures we set off to a deserted island where we snorkeled towards a shipwreck in the shallow waters just a few meters away from the beach, an ideal site for student divers and snorkeling. After a while, our boat fetched us while we hover over the shipwreck, then we advanced to our next stop , Banol Beach ( I think) where they prepared our seafood lunch. A couple of octopus was added to our lunch when one our two boatmen took a short dip and emerged with the eight-legged creatures in each hand. Everyone was so quiet minding his own plate during lunch, we took more pictures then took off for the remainder of the trip. There were two more stops; Barracuda Lake and Lake Maquinit but as a bonus, the boatman promised to add another stop at Siete Pecados for more snorkeling.

So off we went to Barracuda Lake, a trail of jagged limestone was waiting for us. It was the only trail to the lake, scuba divers come to this lake to chance upon the lone barracuda that resides in the lake, thus the name. They said that this fish was very friendly to everyone, contradictory to the normal behavior of “solo” fish in the open sea, very aggressive and highly territorial. I was too tired to snorkel considering, the trek back to boat requires more calories to burn.

As promised , we had another stop for yet another snorkeling activity, it was an artificial reef out of another shipwreck , maybe we were near Siete Pecados or maybe not. I don’t know. At around 4:30pm we proceeded to our last stop; Maquinit Hot Spring, perhaps the hottest spring in the Philippines. It was exactly the reason why we stayed for a while in our ‘bonus’ stop, Maquinit Hot spring was unbearably hot before 5 pm, we dipped for an hour before we finally got back on the boat and went back to Coron town.

We were so tired but didn’t miss the dinner served in the restaurant. We waited for a while before dinner was finally served, we realized that we should have ordered it in advance. After dinner, we packed our bags , checked out of the inn and waited for our ride back to Manila, the ship we took going to Coron was the same ship we took on our back.

UPDATES
Most of our stops didn’t require entrance fee then, but I was told that each one charges entrance fee nowadays. Coron is still being served by Superferry but there are several flights to/from (Cebu Pacific, SEAIR and ZEST) Coron each day though the airport/airstrip is 30 minute jeep/van ride away from Coron Town; my sources say that transfer to town is available for P150/person. .

[Rhoody]

I always admire guys who are using the weekends for great trips like that to explore the beauty of the Philippines.

I am more the guy who needs one travel day, one exploration day, one hang-over day, another exploration day... and when I come back home to Dumaguete I still think I missed a lot...

keep them coming... I like the reports a lot

cheers

Rhoody

wow rhoody, you must be rich! can you plan a trip without spending at least 8000 pesos?

Took a trip to Coron with my barkada last month to celebrate a friend's birthday. We stayed at Coron Village Lodge, and the staff there is great! Very friendly, very hospitable, and they even gave a cake for my friend as a birthday gift. hehe

If you have plans on going to Coron, never never never forget to visit Calamboyan Island, and trek up the Cayangan Lake!!

From Ms. Gimikera.....Calambuyan or Calumboyan ( referring to place of lumboy or duhat) Island is not to be missed when in Coron. Don't forget guys!

Welcome aboard Ms. Gimikera!

[Rhoody]

Originally Posted by gimikera

wow rhoody, you must be rich! can you plan a trip without spending at least 8000 pesos?

you mean per day ???

per day?!?! i just spent like 8000 - 9000 pesos for the whole 5 days in coron!

now i feel bad