August in PH is a time for typhoons and heavy rains but there was no stopping my trip to Coron this year. I know I can't prevent the rain from happenning but at least I wish to see just enough sun to get my tan on because I was in El Nido the same time last year and the weather was unpredictable. There was sun but at most times it would rain and I didn't enjoy the island as much.
You know you're near Coron when you see these islands.
Months ahead I planned to do a DIY trip in Coron but when I got to the airport and after seeing the tour packages for low season I decided to just have an agency do all the work for me. Cherry, proprietor of Be Cool Travel and Tours took care of me and my friend for our entire stay. The package included airport and pier transfer, accommodation at Rugs 2 Riches Inn with breakfast. A 3 days island tour (A, B, C) and a complimentray town tour. All the island tours has lunch included so all we had to worry was dinner.
For the next 3 days our routine was to wake up at 6am, exercise, breakfast at the hotel restaurant, and then wait for the tricycle that will take us to the town pier where the tour boats are waiting. Like for the entire day we would just swim in the clear blue waters and lie down in the sand and snorkelling and jump-offs from the cliff or off the boat.
View from the hotel restaurant. Our hotel is just walking distance from the town pier.
The town market is right in front the pier. You can buy souvenirs and swimming accessories.
Boats for Island Tour. (locals prefer tourism works than fishing.)
The tours end at around 4-5pm, we head back to the hotel, freshen up and then go out at night for dinner and a drink or two and then head back to the hotel to get a good night rest.
Our island tours were nothing short of showcase of Corons magnificent lakes, lagoons and beaches. You can say that they may all look the same becase of it being another white sand beach or a body of water sorrounded with great big limestones that had been sitting their for so many years but hey
the lakes are really clean and the marine life are ever so alive. It is one of the best I've seen so far. The shipwreck was beyond what I imagined and the fishes were so close like as if they'd eat me. I even said at one point that I could do snorkelling all day. And I did just that. I didn't miss any opportunity. All the great things they said about the island is true and im just glad that I was able to experience the Coron at its best.
Tour A
Hidden Lagoon
Approaching the lagoon
Well I guess this lagoon is no longer hidden since many have found it.
CYC Beach (Coron Youth Club)
You'll be greeted by two dogs when you get to the island. Our tour guide said that they were from the town across and they just swam to get here.
Mangroves
Lunch
Coral Beach
We were supposed to go to Sunset beach but our tourguide persuaded us to visit Coral Beach instead coz it had better corals and he promised to give us a longer time to stay in Kayangan. True enough, the coral reef was really beautiful. I even saw a clown fish which was a first for me.
Found Nemo and his pals.
Kayangan Lake
Boat docks
The postcard worthy view. There is trekking involved to get to the lake but this view will ease your exhaustion. This is just halfway to the lake though but I tell you, it will be worth it.
Small cave at the kayangan photo deck. You can go inside but there is really nothing to see.
Awarded as the cleanest lake. The water is so clear. Its a mix of salt and fresh water.
This has to be the highlight of my Coron experience.
Bamboo rafts are provided or you can bring your own floater if you like. I did. There were videos of tourists jumping off the cliff in this lake but our tour guide didn't allow us even if the other tourist were already doing it. He's no fun. Yes Rambo, you're no fun. LOL
Tanning
good to know:
Coron is called the "hundred islands" but not like that in Pangasinan. Its a hundred island only because each island that you visit requires you to pay P100 except CYC Beach. Its already included in the tour packages though.
