There are people we meet in our lives whom we wouldn’t expect to become part of some of the most memorable stories we’ll tell. With a stereotypical mindset where I believed I would only have a professional relationship with my officemates, I never thought I’d find myself in a beautiful place like Coron with any of them — and now, I’m glad I did.
Many have said that it’s not the place but the people you’re with that make it beautiful — and it’s true. Our perception of beauty is shaped by how we feel and what we value. How we see beauty reflects how we view the world. I’m happy that I was able to share my time with my officemates-turned-friends, experiencing the beauty of Coron’s tourist spots — places that only a small fraction of the world’s 7.5 billion people have seen or will ever see.
From the Coron Town Tour that my officemates and I joined on our first day, we booked another tour with Calamian Island Travel and Tours — the Coron Island Tour — for P1,600/$31 on our second day. After being left in awe by the overlooking view of Coron from our first tour, I didn’t expect to be even more charmed; I thought the second day would simply be a water adventure. Boy, was I wrong. Coron’s beauty extends even into its deepest ocean.
Kayangan Lake
A 30-minute boat ride from Lualhati Park and a climb up over 300 steps lead to a breathtaking sight. Kayangan Lake, probably the most photographed spot by tourists, awaited us. We arrived around 10 AM and found ourselves in line, waiting for our turn at the popular photo spot. The group ahead of us took their time capturing photos, causing the line to grow longer. Nevertheless, just looking at my picture with the stunning backdrop of rock formations and turquoise waters tells me the wait was absolutely worth it.
There’s also a cave in the summit.
As we went down, my friends and I immediately started swimming in what they said was brackish water — a combination of seawater and freshwater. The water was clean and clear, with a school of needlefish swimming alongside us. Rock formations could also be seen underwater.
Warning
The lifeguards advise tourists to always wear their life jackets, even if they know how to swim, due to a past incident involving a shallow water blackout from freediving. Additionally, when not using goggles, it’s best to place them around your neck rather than on your head. In my case, I wore my goggles like a hairband, and when I swam, they sank to the bottom. Thanks to our tour guide, Clinton, for retrieving them — otherwise, I would have had to pay P2,500.
Balinsasayaw Coral Garden
I have seen corals in Boracay, but the coral garden of Coron mesmerized me. The corals and fish looked like they came straight out of the cartoon movie Finding Nemo, coming to life right before my eyes in various colors and shapes. Nemo and Dory were there, too!
video credit to JB Uy
Staying in the Philippines for a little longer? Why don’t you try to another Philippines’ best tourist spot – Moalboal, Cebu.
Beach ‘91
Buffet inclusive of the price we paid for the tour awaited us here in Beach ’91. We were also serenaded while we were having the best seaside lunch for the day.
Malwawey Reef
There were some spiky corals that scared me — I worried they might wound my legs, causing blood to flow and attract a shark. These particular corals looked dead to me; I wasn’t sure if they were supposed to be that greyish-brown color. That thought quickly faded when I saw Clinton, our tour guide, dive underwater and lift a very large seashell for us to see above the surface. He returned it right after.
I also spotted sea urchins hiding in the corals. Then, vibrant, colorful corals came into view, and I couldn’t help but wonder if mermaids might wave hello. There were even more corals here than in the first coral garden we visited.
video credit to Justify Speaks
Skeleton Shipwreck
How I wish I had a GoPro with me to capture this beautiful mess. There were corals and fish around the skeleton ship. The water was clear, and the sunken ship was quite shallow. I could clearly see the shipwreck even without diving. This spot is also referred to by the tour guides as the “bubble spot” because of the scuba divers closely exploring the ship. How I wish I knew how to dive — or even how to swim.
video credit to Juan Marko
Coron Youth Camp
We, along with the other tourists sharing the boat, decided that we were too tired to visit Coron Youth Camp — an island where you can go beach bumming. Instead, we chose to idle away at Starbucks in the midst of the sea.
If you find yourself in Puerto Princesa, don’t miss out on the serene experience of the Honda Bay Tour. The atmosphere there is all about unwinding and soaking up the laid-back vibes. It’s the perfect opportunity to relax, recharge, and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. From picturesque islands to crystal-clear waters, every moment on the Honda Bay Tour is a chance to let go of stress and simply chill.
Starbucks
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Our tour guide called this Starbucks to put fancy in the sailing convenience store brought by the local sellers. They have snacks, in cans, ice candies. We ought to have beer coz why not!
Twin Lagoon
As our boat traversed from island to island, we finally reached the last — and best — stop! As we approached Twin Lagoon, our eyes were already captivated by the stunning karst rock formations, something I’m sure most of us had only seen in pictures before that moment. Phones were in hand, ready to capture our own memorable shots.
Going to Twin Lagoon is a matter of luck — the tide must be low to experience a special activity. First, we wore our life jackets and lay on our backs. Second, we formed a caterpillar-like chain by holding onto the feet of the person behind us while they tucked their feet under the armpits of the person in front. Third, we relaxed, sang, and enjoyed the view. Fourth, our hearts pounded as we passed through a tunnel with sharp rocks and barnacles just 10–12 inches from our faces. If it’s high tide, people may take the stairs instead — but where’s the fun in that?
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After that, we enjoyed swimming in the lagoon as the water temperature kept on changing. Amazing how the water from here has a mixture of cold and warm. The water is also brackish water – 70% freshwater and 30% sea salt.
Warning
Avoid going too far, as there are jellyfish that may sting. I had a tiny one sting me around my ankle — I was totally unaware until it became itchy a week later. Fortunately, the itch disappeared after three weeks. There’s still a faint scar, but it’s barely noticeable after three months.
Additional payments
- Aqua shoes for rent – P150. If you have your own, it’s better to wear them than rent. Slippers or other aqua jelly shoes are not allowed.
- Snorkeling gear for rent – P150. Be sure to take care of it; the fee is P2500 if it’s lost.
- Dry bag – bought for P300 in the market. Tour guides won’t let you bring it into the water since water can still get inside the dry bags.
- Waterproof phone casing – P150, bought in the market. It’s the best option to protect your phone.
About the tour guides
In our boat, there are 4 men who went along with us: one captain, one responsible for the anchor, one tour guide, and one diver.
Leaving the city for a day or three, I also left behind all the worries I had and placed my faith in Coron to bring me joy. Self-doubt, stability, and success sometimes cloud our minds, draining all our energy. That day, I was happy that I drained my energy not from the creeping negative thoughts, but from the fun water adventure we had on the diverse world of the Coron Island tour. I was happy that I recharged the energy of my soul. It’s a beautiful life. It’s a beautiful Coron. Coron the world, girls, girls!
Disclaimer: I am not being paid to write this review, nor was I swayed to provide a positive one. Thank you, Michael, for all the pics! Also, thanks to the YouTubers for their videos.
