7 Best Tours In Coron: Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, WWII Shipwrecks, And More!

Coron is hands down one of our favourite places in the Philippines! The island-hopping and snorkelling are next level.

But when we first arrived, the island-hopping tours were confusing as hell. Tour A? B? C? D? Ultimate? What’s the difference? And which one is actually worth it?

We spent WAY too much time figuring it all out, so we’re breaking it down for you in this guide.

You’ll know exactly what each tour includes, the pros and cons, and how to pick the best one for your style of travel.

We’re also big believers in private tours over shared ones (if you can swing it, they’re 100% worth it). But cost isn’t the only factor – there are other key differences, which we’ll cover to help you decide.

And if you don’t want to overthink it, we’ve rounded up 7 best tours in Coron (both private and shared) that are totally worth booking.

Let’s get into it!

In a hurry? Here are some EPIC tours in Coron: 

Coron Tours A, B, C, D, Ultimate – what’s the difference?

This is a way to organise the different island-hopping tours in Coron – each one focuses on different things, although some overlap certain destinations.

They all have some things in common:

• They are full-day tours, often start at start at 9 am, so you’ll be back at 4-5pm.

• Usually include lunch and pick-up + drop-off from Coron Town Proper.

• May not include snorkelling gear rental or entrance fees to the islands, so bring cash.

Here’s a breakdown of each tour, who is it for, and what you need to know before booking:

Tour A: Highlights for a classic experience

If it’s your first time in Coron or if you’re spending 1 night there, you can’t skip tour A!

The itinerary will depend on the provider, but they usually include Coron’s main attraction – Kayangan Lake. It might also include other stops, like:

• Beaches: CYC Beach, Sunset Beach, White Sand Beach.

• Snorkelling: Las Islas de Coral, Smith Coral Garden.

Here’s an excellent tour A if you’re keen! It includes pick up + drop off, lunch, and entrance fees.

Crowds are unavoidable, though – especially in peak season. This is the most popular tour, so expect other boats at every stop (particularly Kayangan Lake) if you’re not on a private tour.

Tour B: Highlights with a touch of adventure

This tour is perfect if you’ve already seen Kayangan Lake or if you’d rather spend more time snorkelling and freediving than at the beach.

It includes other highlights of Coron with some of its most accessible underwater spots, like:

• Twin Lagoon. Iconic spot with unique thermocline layers (warm and cool water mixing) and towering limestone cliffs.

• Barracuda Lake. A deep, clear lake with thermoclines, we LOVED freediving there.

• Skeleton Wreck. One of the most accessible World War II shipwrecks in the area, it’s perfect for snorkelling.

• Malwawey Reef. A gorgeous coral reef with heaps of marine life.

Here’s an epic tour B that includes lunch, entrance fees, plus pick-up and drop-off from Coron Town Proper.

If you HAVE to choose between Tour A or Tour B, pick Tour B if you’d rather spend more time snorkelling unique places and don’t mind missing Kayangan Lake.

Tour C: Epic beaches and relaxation

If you prefer relaxing on soft white sand rather than snorkelling or sightseeing, this is the tour for you.

It’s also great for families with small kids, as the waters are very gentle and there’s little hiking involved.

The snorkelling is good but it’s not the main attraction, like with tours A or B. It focuses instead on the best beaches and sandbars in the Coron area, including:

• Malcapuya Island. Some say this is better than Boracay! With long stretches of fine white sand and crystal-clear water.

• Banana Island. Perfect for lounging in a hammock under palm trees or snorkelling near the shore.

• Bulog Dos Island. The smallest of the three, but just as gorgeous! Has a sandbar that appears at low tide.

If you’re interested, check out this epic Tour C! It includes everything except snorkelling gear.

Keep in mind that the boat rides are a bit longer, but there are fewer tourists. So bring sea-sickness tablets if you’re prone!

Tour D: Shipwrecks and coral gardens for adventurers

If you want to snorkel the most epic spots in Coron, look no further! This tour is all about WWII shipwrecks, deep snorkelling, and vibrant coral reefs.

It’s the best tour for snorkellers (even beginners) and freedivers. Plus, it’s not as popular as the previous ones.

The typical spots include:

• Lusong Gunboat. Another shallow WWII wreck like Skeleton Wreck, great for snorkelling.

• Lusong Coral Garden. One of our favourite reefs in Coron, it’s shallow and well-preserved.

• East Tangat Wreck. Another shipwreck, partially submerged and easy to explore.

• Pass Island. A stunning beach with amazing snorkelling.

Here’s an epic tour D that includes all the spots above, plus entrance fees, lunch, pick-up and drop-off, etc!

BUT if you really want to go shipwreck-diving, it’s best to book a scuba diving tour instead. You won’t want to miss the Irako Shipwreck – it’s pretty much intact and it’s 45 metres deep!

Ultimate Coron Tour: A bit of everything in one day

If you have limited time in Coron and have FOMO, book this tour! You’ll check out Coron’s highlights, plus some beaches and snorkelling spots.

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It’s fast-paced, though – you’ll be hitting 6-7 spots in one day – so be prepared. You’ll have around 1 hour at each stop, so if you prefer slow travelling, this might not be the best tour for you.

Most Ultimate tours include some of these spots, but vary widely depending on the operator:

• Kayangan Lake

• Barracuda Lake

• Twin Lagoon

• Skeleton Wreck

• Malcapuya Island

• Lusong Gunboat Wreck

• Lusong Coral Garden

• CYC Beach

Of all the ultimate tours out there, this is the one we recommend as it includes Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Lusong Coral Garden.

Shared vs private boat tours in Coron: Which one to choose?

We recommend booking private tours whenever possible, as it gives you way more flexibility and you can plan your itinerary so you can avoid the crowds. It’s 100% worth the extra cost, in our opinion.

For example, we requested to visit Twin Lagoons last during our private tour – most people go there at midday. It was the best decision ever as we had the place practically to ourselves!

That said, we recommend always having cash on you whether you’re going on a shared or private tour.

You can pay for your snorkel rental, reef shoes, entry fees, etc that way. Plus island locals sometimes approach the boat to sell snacks, drinks, and trinkets!

If you want a bank recommendation, we love using Wise because you can withdraw ₱12,000 free of charge and their exchange rates are unbeatable! Plus you can get a free debit card with them here.

Now, here are the pros and cons of shared vs private tours to help you figure out which one is best for your particular travel style and budget:

Shared Boat Tours: Cheaper and more social

These are group tours where you join other travellers on a scheduled itinerary. You don’t choose the destinations or the pace, but they’re affordable and easy to book.

They cost around $20- $35 and are best for solo travellers or those who have a tight budget. Groups vary but can be 10 to 25 people per boat.

It’s great for meeting new people, although you might not be able to dodge the crowds.

Pick this one if you’re on a budget, don’t mind crowds, and just want an easy way to see the main sights! We review a few epic shared tours further down.

Pros:

Cons

Private Boat Tour: Flexible and crowd-free

A private boat tour means you rent the whole boat for your group. You decide where to go, how long to stay, and can even avoid peak hours at popular spots!

It’s not necessarily more expensive, though. We were a group of 4 and rented a boat for the day for around $120 – it was $30 per person, including lunch.

Plus, these tours usually leave earlier (7:30-8:00 am), giving you a nice head start from the crowds.

Definitely book a private tour if you want flexibility, or are travelling in a group that can split the cost! Here’s an excellent private tour in Coron to check out, plus you can book it now and pay later.

Pros:

Cons

7 amazing tours in Coron, Palawan

Note: Most of the links included are GUARANTEED to have the lowest price available, 24-hour free cancellation, and “Reserve Now, Pay Later” features. Take advantage of that!

1) Private Island-Hopping Tour In Coron

Full-Day | Private Tour | Check tour here

Best for: Travellers who want a fully customisable island-hopping experience in Coron, with the freedom to choose their own pace and destinations.

If you’d rather avoid the crowds tours and explore Coron on your own terms, this private boat hire is the way to go. You’ll have the boat and guide at your disposal, plus the flexibility to visit up to seven incredible spots!

We recommend requesting to visit the most popular spot (eg Twin Lagoon) last – we did this and had it pretty much to ourselves (it gets crowded in midday).

The experience starts at Coron Public Market, where you’ll shop for fresh ingredients. Then, while you soak up the scenery of Coron Bay, the crew will cook your meal right on board!

Snorkelling, swimming, and beach-hopping are all on the menu, but exactly how you spend the day is up to you.

Pros:

Cons

Helena, her brother, and partner were amazing! They made sure my boyfriend and I had a super good time and that we were taken of at all times. The boat ride was comfortable and the destinations were out of the world. The meal they made with ingredients we chose from the market were OUT OF THE WORLD! So happy we did this!

-Anushka

2) Best Tour B: Barracuda Lake, Skeleton Wreck, Twin Lagoon Boat Tour

Full-Day | Shared or Private Tour | Check tour here

Best for: Snorkellers and adventurers keen to visit Coron’s iconic Twin Lagoon and Barracuda Lake, plus Skeleton Wreck.

This is an epic tour B that packs in five stops:

• Skeleton Wreck

• Barracuda Lake

• Twin Lagoon

• Reef Garden

• Smith Beach

It’s perfect for snorkellers (beginners and experienced alike), plus includes a traditional BBQ lunch people rave about.

You’ll be back before 5pm so you can do something else afterwards, too – like see the sunset at Mt Taypan or take a dip in Maquinit hot springs.

Pros:

Cons

Excellent tour, specially the tour guide: Paul. He is funny, talkative, knows everything about our destinations, good photographer specially underwater. we had loads of fun in this tour. the boat was big and confortable and the food was the best we had from all tours.

-Kimy

3) Best Tour A: Kayangan Lake & Quin Reef Tour with Lunch

Full-Day | Shared Tour | Check tour here

Best for: Anyone keen to visit the iconic Kayangan Lake, plus do a bit of snorkelling and enjoy the beaches.

This is the classic tour A, which includes the iconic Kayangan Lake, as well as these other stops:

• CYC Beach, a free-entry beach.

• Sunset Beach, where you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch by the water.

• Las Islas de Coral for some easy snorkelling, just watch out for sea urchins!

It’s best if you want to see the best of Coron but at a more relaxing pace than the previous tour (less snorkelling, more beach time).

Pros:

Cons

Very good tour, thoroughly enjoyed it! Thanks to Ryan and the team for organising everything so well. The time spent at each spot is ideal and you don’t feel rushed at all. Cheers!

-Greg

4) Best Tour D: Reef and Wrecks (Private Tour)

Full-Day | Private Tour | Check tour here

Best for: Snorkellers and freedivers keen on checking out other iconic shipwrecks and gorgeous coral reefs in Coron!

If you want to snorkel some truly unique places in Coron, book this private tour. It includes:

• Two shipwrecks – Lusong Gunboat and East Tangat Wreck

• Lusong Coral Garden, one of our favourite reefs to snorkel

• Pass Island, a postcard-perfect beach with soft white sand

It’s best for confident swimmers, as the currents can be strong in East Tangat Wreck. If you’re not sure, Tour B is a solid alternative with easier snorkelling (but just as epic).

Pros:

Cons

We visited the gunboat and a supply ship from WW2. The first is not particularly deep, the second a bit deeper. Nevertheless, both are good for snorkeling. Pass Island just blew me away. Incredibly beautiful island and worth the long journey. (…)

-Emanuel

5) Best tour C: Coastal Cliffs, Beach & Malcapuya Island-Hopping Tour

Full-Day | Shared or Private Tour | Check tour here

Best for: Travellers looking for a relaxing day of beach-hopping on Coron’s most scenic islands, with plenty of time to swim and sunbathe.

If you’re after a slow-paced day in resort-like beaches, this is the tour to book. It includes:

• Banana Island, a peaceful beach with soft sand, hammocks, and clear waters perfect for a swim.

• Malcapuya Island, known for having one of the best beaches in Coron and excellent snorkelling.

• Bulog Dos Island, a small, secluded island with shallow waters, sandbars, and a more private feel.

It’s great if you’re with your family, but the boat rides are a bit long (~1.5 hours each way) so bring seasickness tablets if you’re prone.

Also, don’t expect too much adventure – the focus is relaxing on the beaches! If you’re looking for something more intense, book tours B or D.

Pros:

Cons

The activity was super cute and fun. The tour guide was very energetic and the entire crew made sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. The lunch was surprisingly good when compared with other tours we had in the Philippines. Would recommend for sure

-Pedro Miguel

6) Best Ultimate Tour: 7 Destinations with Lunch & Transfers

Full-Day | Shared or Private Tour | Check tour here

Best for: First-time visitors who want to see all of Coron’s top spots in one day, with pick-up and drop-off plus buffet lunch included.

This is THE tour for those with FOMO! If you’re staying 1-2 days in Coron, book it. You’ll visit:

• Kayangan Lake

• Twin Lagoon

• Skeleton Wreck

• Coral Garden & Quin Reef

• CYC Beach

• Barracuda Lake

• White Sand Beach

It’s extremely hassle-free but a bit hectic! You won’t have much time in each stop (less than 1 hour) but it’s a solid tour if it’s your first time in the area and you’re short on time.

Plus, you can book it as a shared or a private tour!

Pros:

Cons

Great way to see a lot of amazing sights in Coron in one day. Highly recommended.

-Paul

7) Island-hopping from Coron to El Nido

3D2N | Small Group | Check tour here

Best for: Adventurers looking for an off-the-grid island-hopping experience between Coron and El Nido, with remote beaches, snorkelling, and traditional Filipino island living.

We did this exact tour and LOVED IT, it was our favourite part of the entire trip!

You’ll get to El Nido via island-hopping, visiting some of the most untouched islands in the Philippines, far from the usual tourist routes.

Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:

• Visit 2-3 remote islands per day. Lots of snorkelling, swimming, and kayaking in spots off the beaten path.

• The accommodation is quite traditional (open-air beach huts), for an authentic island-living experience.

• Food is IN-CRE-DI-BLE. Buffet-style Filipino meals plus sundowners.

• Bucket showers, basic toilets, and ZERO wifi.

Everything is included in the price (accommodation, food, snorkel + mask), so it’s very budget-friendly, too.

But what we loved the most is that there’s no fixed itinerary. The crew will take you to the best spots based on weather and sea conditions!

Don’t hesitate to book it if you’re after a truly immersive Filipino island experience.

FAQs

The bottom line

In the end, which Coron tour to book comes down to what you’re after!

For first-timers, Tour A is the classic choice with Kayangan Lake, while Tour B is better if you’re keen on snorkelling and shipwrecks.

Tour C is perfect for beach lovers looking for a relaxing getaway, and Tour D is an epic pick if you’re after more unique snorkelling and freediving.

If you’re short on time and want a bit of everything, the Ultimate Tour has you covered.

But if you want to skip the crowds, private tours are the way to go. They give you total flexibility and are well worth it, especially if you’re in a group.

Otherwise, shared tours are budget-friendly and a great way to meet fellow travellers.

Whichever you pick, you will have the most epic time in Coron! We’re so excited for you, you are going to love EVERYTHING!