Coron, Palawan: Untouched Beauty
Coron is a first class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it had a population of 42,941 people. The municipality covers the eastern part of Busuanga Island and all of the nearby Coron Island, as well as another 50 minor islets, stretching as far as Tara Island in the northeast and Canipo Island in the south. All these islands are part of the Calamian Archipelago in northern Palawan that separate the South China Sea from the Sulu Sea. The main industries of Coron are fishing andtourism, being a popular diving location. The aquatic views of a dozen sunken Japanese warships at depths between 10 and 40 metres (33 and 130 ft) off Coron Island are making Coron and its neighboring municipalities a popular diving destination, listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top 10 best scuba diving sites in the world.
Barracuda Lake, Coron
Barracuda Lake is
considered by many to be one of the world’s most unique dives. Reaching the
lake, one must do a 10 to 15-minute climb up and down the sharp lime stone
cliffs, located at the north end of Coron Island.
Coron Youth Club Beach (CYC), Coron
CYC beach (Coron
Youth Club), it’s a small island with very very shallow waters, the only public
beach that is free within the Coron Island.
It has pure white sands almost knee deep that it’s pretty much suited
for the youth for swimming.
Maquinit Hot Springs, Coron
It is the only known saltwater hot spring in the
Philippines and probably the only one in Asia. The hot spring is just about 25
minutes from the town center and is located between a hill and the blue sea
whose shores are lined with mangrove trees and floating bamboo cottages. The
therapeutic water in these hot springs will surely relax and soothe your tired
body after a long, strenuous day.
Kayangan Lake, Coron
Kayangan Lake is
said to be the clearest and cleanest lake in the Philippines. Accessible by a
steep 10-minute climb, the crystal-clear waters of Lake Kayangan are nestled
into the mountain walls; underwater is like a moonscape. There’s a little
wooden walkway and platform to stash your things if you go for a swim.
Siete Pecados, Coron
Snorkelling at Siete
Pecados, a small protected sanctuary not far offshore from Makinit Hot Springs,
is a reminder of what has been destroyed elsewhere – the coral here is a
wonderland of colours and shapes. Named after the seven (7) islets surrounding
this abundant coral reef and is located to the east beyond the lighthouse in
Coron town.
Skeleton Wreck, Coron
This is a tiny
little wreck located on the northwest corner of Coron Island which is ideal for
diving and snorkeling. See here a sunken ship (Japanese ship) that sits on a
pretty reef. The wreck got its name from the fact that the keel, ribs and
stringers of the boat are the only thing that’s left, giving a skeletal
appearance.
Twin Lagoo, Coron
These lagoons are
located in the midst of majestic cliffs, a two and a half meters wide hole
connects two beautiful lagoons with crystal clear and emerald green water.
During high tide, it is an exciting adventures to swim through the hole, during
low tide the hole can be seen and it is easier to swim through it.