Palawan: El Nido and Coron
Limestone karst islands, hidden lagoons and some of the best island-hopping anywhere — split between two very different bases
Palawan regularly tops "best island" rankings, and the two main bases — El Nido and Coron — cover different strengths: El Nido's Bacuit Archipelago for dramatic limestone cliffs and lagoons, Coron for wreck diving and Kayangan Lake's postcard-famous view.
Quick facts
El Nido
The Bacuit Archipelago's island-hopping tours (typically labeled Tour A, B, C, D, each covering different islands/lagoons) are the standard way to see the Big and Small Lagoons, Secret Beach and the limestone formations the area is known for. Renting a boat privately gives more flexibility than the standard group tours if budget allows.
Coron
World War II Japanese shipwrecks sitting in clear, shallow-enough water make Coron one of Southeast Asia's most accessible wreck-diving spots, suitable for both certified divers and, for some wrecks, snorkelers. Kayangan Lake — reached by a short, steep climb — is the single most photographed spot in the area, for good reason.
Getting between them
El Nido and Coron are connected by boat (a scenic but long multi-hour ferry) or by air via Manila — there's no fast direct link, so most itineraries pick a home base rather than trying to do both in a short trip, or budget real travel time to cover both.
Practical tips
- —Book island-hopping tours a day ahead where possible — the popular lagoons have visitor caps and can fill up.
- —Bring reef-safe sunscreen — the marine environment is a major part of what makes Palawan worth visiting, and it's genuinely fragile.
- —Coron's wrecks are excellent even for snorkelers on the shallower ones — you don't need a dive certification to get a real look.
- —Weather affects boat tours directly — build a buffer day into your itinerary if island-hopping is the main reason for the trip.