Things to do — Coron

Coron naturally organizes its activities around the sea, the lakes and the mountain. The program is rich and every day delivers a memorable discovery.

Wreck diving is the centerpiece. In September 1944, the US Operation Musketeer sank around a dozen Imperial Japanese Navy supply ships in the strait between Busuanga and Coron Island. These wrecks rest today at depths of 10 to 40 meters and form one of the richest artificial reefs in the world. The Olympia Maru (130-meter cargo ship, 15–30 m deep) impresses with its holds filled with porcelain and munitions. The Irako (147-meter refrigerated supply ship) offers spectacular penetration. The Akitsushima is the only seaplane tender still identifiable among the wrecks. For less experienced divers, the Skeleton Wreck (8–15 m) is accessible even by snorkeling. All Coron dive centers run daily trips on two or three wrecks.

Coron Island and its lakes form the second pillar of the destination. Kayangan Lake, reached after a climb through the karst cliffs, reveals water of almost hallucinatory transparency, half-fresh and half-saltwater. You can watch the sun's rays cross the first 15 meters, shifting gradually from turquoise to deep blue. Barracuda Lake is even more singular: its layers of water at different temperatures and salinities (the halocline phenomenon) create an unforgettable sensation when diving. Twin Lagoon, accessible only through a slit in the rock at high tide, is perhaps the most photographed of all. These three sites are typically combined into a single Coron Island day tour.

The Maquinit hot springs deserve a full evening. These natural pools at 39–40 °C open onto the mangrove and the sea — a unique thermal bathing experience, all the more rewarding after a day of diving. Entry costs about €5, and the site is open until 10pm. The Mount Tapyas viewpoint, reached by 700 steps from the center of Coron town, delivers in late afternoon a panorama over the surrounding islands, the town's rooftops and the South China Sea. The climb takes 20 to 30 minutes and is technically straightforward. Finally, the surrounding islands — Malcapuya, Banana Island, Bulog Dos — offer white-sand beaches and excellent snorkeling on still-preserved coral reefs.