Destinations: Calamian Islands, Palawan

The Calamian Islands, more often called the Coron group, sit like luminous green emeralds surrounded by shimmering shades of blue water and coral reefs off the northernmost tip of Palawan. Happily unspoiled by crass over commercialism, this little Philippine island group is quickly becoming a favorite Philippine holiday destination for both Filipinos and overseas tourists.

Known for their numerous excellent snorkel and dive sites, clean beaches, friendly locals, and laid back, lazy holiday lifestyle, the Coron islands are an idyllic spot for tourists and travelers. However, while water activities are currently the major attractions, there are a surprisingly large amount of non water based activities for holidaymakers to enjoy, including one-on-one face time with the highly unusual wild animals of Calauit Island, not usually see in the wild outside of the African plains.

Travel to Coron / Busuanga is easy by both sea and air. There are a number of one-hour flights available from Manila (and Palawan) to the groups main island of Busuanga, via PAL Express, Cebu Pacific, SEAIR and Zest Airways. By sea, Coron town on Busuanga Island is a major stopping point for SuperFerry, with 12-hour journey times to and from Manila, and a 10-hour journey time to and from Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital. A number of smaller ferries also run between the Coron Islands, Busuanga, and destinations in the north of Palawan, such as El Nino.

Although Coron is the name of the islands largest town, the town and airport are actually situated on Busuanga Island, with the little island of Coron, famous for its thermocline lakes including the aptly named Barracuda Lake, just offshore from Busuanga Island itself.

A dream of former Philippine President Marcos, a visit to Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary on Calauit Island is now a unique experience. Calauit Island is the location of the first successful wildlife translocation experiment in Asia. Following Marcos issuing his 1976 ‘money no object’ directive, by Presidential Proclamation No. 1578, the island became home to a number of imported African wildlife species; such as, zebra, giraffe, eland, impala, bushbuck, and waterbuck. Numbers have increases in the years since their release and these animals still roam freely over the island’s verdant hills and plains, making it a surreal but enjoyable tourist destination many fail to miss.

Famous for its life-filled waters and mill-pond smooth dive sites, the Coron Islands are named on many lists of the world’s top dive spots. With a number of dive resorts available, most of which provide PADI training, diving around Coron can be enjoyed by both novice and experienced divers alike. What makes the waters around Coron so popular with divers is the unique wreck diving experiences possible only in this area - dives that really make the local dive sites stand out. These wrecks are the remnants of the Japanese support fleet of the Invasion of Leyte. Sunk after being spotted by American reconnaissance planes from 'Task Force 38' in September 1944, they lie at depths of between just 25 feet down to 130 feet. At this time 11 wrecks remain as poignant reminders of wartime tumultuous turmoil.

A quaint local tourist attraction, Maquinit Hot Spring, is accessible by small boat from Coron town or via a 15-minute tricycle ride out past Coron port. Maquinit Hot Spring offers bathing pools of crystal clear geothermal heated spring water cascading through various levels of temperature as a series of pools feed a luxuriously warm large pool that empties into the ocean. It is a beautiful spot for an evening’s relaxation, watching the funny little mud hopper fish scuttle around on their little fin legs among the mangroves surrounding the spring.  

Easy to get to, with relaxing hot-spring pools to laze in, clean beaches for quietly soaking up the sun, mild treks for sedate traveler, arduous treks and climbs for the more adventurous, and horseback riding, wreck diving and open water dive sites for the really adventurous of spirit, a visit to the Coron Islands in the Philippine province of Palawan is a worthwhile experience for anyone.