Coron Guide: Luxury Yacht Charter in Coron

Coron is where the Philippines turns cinematic. This cluster of limestone islands and volcanic peaks in the northern Calamian group is best known for its extraordinary WWII shipwrecks – a fleet of Japanese supply ships sunk by American carrier planes on 24 September 1944, now lying in 10–42 metres of warm, clear water and draped in soft coral, sea fans and barrel sponges. But Coron offers far more than wreck diving. Above the waterline, the landscape is almost Jurassic: sheer limestone cliffs covered in jungle, mirror-still bays hiding freshwater lakes in collapsed volcanic craters, twin lagoons connected by underwater passages, and hot springs fed by the volcanic activity that shaped these islands millions of years ago.

The town of Coron sits on Busuanga Island, the largest in the Calamian group, and serves as the base for most charter itineraries. Coron Island itself – directly across the channel – is the ancestral domain of the Tagbanwa people and is a protected area; visitors can explore designated sites (Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, the Twin Lagoon) but the island’s interior remains off limits. This stewardship has kept Coron’s natural assets in remarkable condition. Nearby Culion Island adds colonial-era architecture and a moving museum, while Black Island (Malajon) offers a cave, a freshwater lagoon and one of the best snorkelling reefs in the Calamians. For charter guests, Coron is the perfect complement to El Nido – a three-hour passage north opens up a completely different landscape and set of experiences.

Why Charter a Yacht in Coron

World-Class Wreck Diving

Coron Bay holds ten major Japanese shipwrecks from the 1944 air raid, making it one of the top wreck-diving destinations on the planet. The wrecks range from the Lusong Gunboat at just 3–5 metres (shallow enough to snorkel) to the Irako at 42 metres (a challenging deep dive through penetrable cargo holds and engine rooms). Each wreck supports its own mini-ecosystem of soft coral, sponges, batfish, lionfish, scorpionfish and barracuda. A chartered yacht gives you the flexibility to dive at dawn, before the day-trip boats arrive, and to move between wreck sites at your own pace.

Volcanic Lakes and Lagoons

Kayangan Lake – a collapsed volcanic crater filled with crystal-clear water – is consistently voted one of the cleanest lakes in the Philippines. Barracuda Lake is equally extraordinary: the water starts at 28°C near the surface and jumps to 38°C at around 14 metres, thanks to geothermal vents. The halocline where fresh and salt water mix creates a shimmering visual effect underwater that is unlike anything on a reef dive. The Twin Lagoon – two interconnected bodies of water separated by a limestone wall – offers yet another unique swimming experience.

Remote Island Exploration

The Calamian group extends well beyond Coron Island. Black Island (Malajon) is uninhabited, with a cave leading to a freshwater lagoon and a vibrant snorkelling reef. Culion Island offers a museum documenting its century as a leper colony (1906–1998), Spanish-era stone churches and superb wall diving. Banana Island, Malcapuya and Pass Island deliver the classic Philippine beach experience: powdery sand, warm shallows and not another soul in sight. A chartered yacht is the only practical way to visit all of these in a single trip.

Key Destinations Near Coron

• Coron Island – Home to Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake and Twin Lagoon. The ancestral domain of the Tagbanwa people, with visitor access limited to designated sites.

• Coron Bay Wrecks – Ten major WWII Japanese shipwrecks in 10–42 metres, accessible by dive boat or directly from your yacht. The Lusong Gunboat is shallow enough to snorkel.

• Siete Pecados – A cluster of seven small islands near Coron Town with exceptional coral cover and dense reef-fish populations. Ideal for a pre-dive snorkel warm-up.

• Black Island (Malajon) – Uninhabited, with a cream-sand beach, a cave leading to a freshwater lagoon, and one of the best snorkelling reefs in the Calamians.

• Culion Island – Spanish-era churches, a hilltop fortress (1740), a moving leper-colony museum and pristine wall diving. Roughly 12 nautical miles south-west of Coron Town.

• Maquinit Hot Springs – One of the few saltwater hot springs in the world, fed by volcanic activity beneath Coron Island. Water temperature 39–40°C, best visited at sunset.

Best Time to Charter a Yacht in Coron

Peak Season: December to April

The amihan delivers the best wreck-diving conditions: calm seas, clear skies and visibility of 15–25 metres on the wrecks. January and February are the mildest months, while March and April offer the warmest water and the highest visibility. The most popular wreck sites attract day-trip dive boats by mid-morning – having your own yacht means you can be in the water at first light.

Shoulder Months: November and May

Conditions are pleasant and the anchorages are quieter. Visibility on the wrecks is still very good, and charter rates are softer than peak season. May’s warm waters (29–30°C) make for particularly comfortable diving.

Wet Season: June to October

Periodic rain and reduced visibility on some wreck sites, but Coron Bay’s sheltered waters remain diveable on many days. The volcanic lakes are unaffected by sea conditions. Rates drop significantly, and the anchorages are virtually empty.

Yacht Types Available

• Luxury Motor Yachts (78’–99’) – The go-to choice for wreck-diving charters. Carries dive compressors or nitrox equipment, and can reposition between wreck sites within minutes. Weekly rates from $33,000–$55,000.

• Superyachts (100’+) – For groups combining wreck diving with multi-day exploration of the Calamians. Full crew, dive master, extensive water-toy inventory. Weekly rates from $90,000–$175,000.

• Luxury Catamarans (55’+) – Stable platform for families and mixed groups (divers and non-divers). Shallow draft for reef anchorages. Weekly rates from $35,000–$50,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a certified diver to explore the wrecks?

The Lusong Gunboat sits in just 3–5 metres of water and is easily explored by snorkellers – you can see the coral-encrusted hull and its resident fish from the surface. The deeper wrecks (10–42 metres) require Open Water or Advanced Open Water certification, depending on depth. Several of the mid-range wrecks (Okikawa Maru, Kogyo Maru) are accessible to Open Water divers at their shallowest points. Your onboard dive master tailors dives to your certification level and experience.

How many wrecks can I dive in a single charter?

On a 3–4 day Coron charter with two dives per day, most guests comfortably visit 4–6 wrecks plus shore-based sites like Barracuda Lake. Advanced divers doing three dives per day (with appropriate surface intervals) can cover 8–10 of the ten major wrecks. Your dive master will plan a progression that builds from shallower, easier wrecks on Day 1 to deeper, more complex penetrations later in the trip.

Is Coron suitable for non-divers?

Absolutely. Coron offers just as much above the waterline as below it. Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake are accessible to all swimmers, the Twin Lagoon is a gentle swim or a short ladder climb, Maquinit Hot Springs requires no water skills at all, and Black Island’s beach and cave are purely land-based explorations. The Lusong Gunboat is snorkel-friendly, and the scenery from the deck of your yacht – volcanic karst peaks reflecting in still water at dawn – is worth the trip on its own.

How do I get to Coron?

Fly into Busuanga Airport (Francisco B. Reyes Airport), which receives daily flights from Manila (roughly 1 hour). The airport is a 30-minute drive from Coron Town. Your Boatcrowd specialist arranges airport-to-yacht transfers. Alternatively, charter guests arriving from El Nido can make the 50-nautical-mile passage north by yacht in around three hours.

Can I combine Coron with El Nido in one charter?

Yes – and it’s the most popular Palawan charter route. The 50-nautical-mile passage between El Nido and Coron takes roughly three hours on a motor yacht and passes through the Linapacan Islands, where some of the clearest water in the Philippines makes for an unforgettable mid-passage snorkel stop. A 7-day charter starting in El Nido and ending in Coron (or vice versa) is the ideal way to experience both the Bacuit Archipelago’s lagoons and the Calamian Islands’ wrecks, lakes and hot springs.