On Mark and I’s second day at Coron, we took a group tour with JY Travel and Tours, where we availed their Coron Island Tour A. Here’s a peek of what went down and what you should know when availing group packages.
The Set-Up
Usually, tours like this includes pick up from your resort going to the port. We were picked up by a tricycle on our resort at around 8:00 AM and immediately head out towards the Lualhati Park where the boat awaits. For group tours (or what they usually call as “joiner tours“), there are around 15-25 pax to be accommodated and the boat will not leave unless you are all complete. Expect delays and a long waiting time. In our case, we left the port half past 9:00 AM.
Where We Went
Joiner tours usually have a fixed itinerary, and you’ll see the destinations while booking for your tour. For Tour A, our itinerary includes the Green Lagoon, Las Islas de Coral, CYC Beach and the Kayangan Lake. I’m sorry if there are not enough photos on this post as we abandoned our dSLRs to enjoy the moment, but I promise to try to be as comprehensive as I can. He he. 🙂
PS: If you’re big for seeing the marine life, I highly suggest that you don’t take this tour. This tour is the most budget friendly, but the fishes are actually on the other islands, specifically Siete Pacados. It’s still very enjoyable, at least for us.
Our first stop was the majestic Green Lagoon, with its clear waters and ginormous rock formations. There was a snorkeling area, but there weren’t much fishes. There are some shallow parts on the lagoon, so I highly suggest that you wear aqua shoes since there are sea urchins that you might accidentally step on. I have a really bad eye sight, so I was glad that Mark was with me to actually point out the ‘safe areas’ during our trip.
Next stop was the Las Islas de Coral. Ironically, most of the corals were “dead” already, and doesn’t house much fishes any longer. There’s a small beach nearby and I mostly beach bummed the time that we were on that stop. I love the beach, so there really isn’t a thing to complain about. The sand was pearly white, but not as fine.
The next stop was definitely the one that we enjoyed the most, pretty much because of the food (lol). The tour comes in with lunch, and they served us huge tunas, crabs, and a delicious Pinakbet.
All 20 of us huddled together on a boodle fight, where we enjoyed the delicious meals that our guides prepared. It was also the time when we got to actually talk to some of our tour mates. We eventually gained some friends, although we ended up “hanging” out with the Europeans, as some of the Pinoys that we were with have their own circle.
Our last stop was actually the most breathtaking of them all — the Kayangan Lake. It was dubbed as the cleanest lake in Asia, and the water was just majestic. Tucked between huge boulders, you would have to climb a hundred steps to go the viewing deck, then go down for another hundred steps to reach the lake. It was such a shame that we left our camera, but the mental image that I have is still as vivid as if I just saw it yesterday. Hidden beneath its waters were beautiful rock formations. We spent a long time on this area before we headed back to the port.
The tour took us around 5 hours to finish. By 4:30 PM, we were already swimming on our inn’s pool.
How much it cost us
We were charged for PHP 650.00 (around $13) per person, and that already includes pick up from your resort, the tour guide, the lunch, and the life vests. For the snorkel gear, you’ll have to rent it out for an additional PHP 150.00 (around $3). All in all, we ended up paying PHP 800.00 per person for our whole day island tour.
Other Island Hopping Tour Options
In case you’re on a budget, joiner tours are always the best way to go. Rates starts at PHP 650.00 (our tour), and it can go up to PHP 2,400.00, depending on the areas that you are going to check out. The most expensive one was the Calauit Safari tour, where they’ll bring you to a mini safari. On the way back, there are A LOT of islands that you’ll pass by, like Black Island, and some boat wrecks.
If you’re going on an island tour for only a day, I highly suggest for you to take their “Ultimate Tour”, valued at PHP 1,500.00 ($35), since it already includes almost all of the island’s highlights like Siete Pecados (best for snorkeling!), Twin Lagoon, Kayangan Lake, and Skeleton Wreck.
If you have more budget, you can also take a private tour, and this usually cost at around PHP 4,000.00 and above, depending on the islands that you’d like to check. I believe that JY Travel and Tours also arranges private tours, but if you want to save up, you can contact Kuya Allan (0908 349 7499), our tour guide from our town tour, as he also knows bangkeros that doesn’t over charge. He also cooks for those private tours, and I bet my ass that he’ll prepare awesome meals during your tour.
What I Suggest You to Bring
Sun block
Aqua Shoes
Snorkel Gear (hygienic + will save you some bucks!)
Dry Bag
Light Snacks
Bottled Water
YOUR ADVENTUROUS SELF!
How about you? Have you ever been to Coron? How was your island hopping experience? Share it on the comment box below! 🙂
Thanks for this post, I might do this when we visit Philippines. It's so SULIT haha nice place pa! About the private tour, is it 4,000 per person or group?
Dice, wildest-heart.net
Thanks for this post, I might do this when we visit Philippines. It's so SULIT haha nice place pa! About the private tour, is it 4,000 per person or group?
Dice, wildest-heart.net
Take me back to summer already! It's still autumn over here, and winter should be approaching soon, but the seasons seem to be confused this year 😛 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
Take me back to summer already! It's still autumn over here, and winter should be approaching soon, but the seasons seem to be confused this year 😛 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
Perfect Wednesday night pick me up read! Xx
Chloe Love Story Perfume Review
Perfect Wednesday night pick me up read! Xx
Chloe Love Story Perfume Review
Wow, so much jealousy here Ate. I'm aiming on visiting the place and the neighboring treasures so soon. Ang sulit lang oh just by watching your photos. Plus the clear water is really tempting. Ang cute nyo, huhu plus and sexy mo Ate! 🙂
Lou | wander-soul.net
Wow, so much jealousy here Ate. I'm aiming on visiting the place and the neighboring treasures so soon. Ang sulit lang oh just by watching your photos. Plus the clear water is really tempting. Ang cute nyo, huhu plus and sexy mo Ate! 🙂
Lou | wander-soul.net
Oh my God! The water looks so stunning, like paradise! I think the whole tour was quite affordable too x
-http://wildfirecharm.blogspot.com
Oh my God! The water looks so stunning, like paradise! I think the whole tour was quite affordable too x
-http://wildfirecharm.blogspot.com
Coron is such a lovely place for grand adventures like this! Is the place safe for overnight camps?
Cheryle | The Daily Whim
Coron is such a lovely place for grand adventures like this! Is the place safe for overnight camps?
Cheryle | The Daily Whim
Havent tried a Boodle Fight! That looks so much fun 🙂
Havent tried a Boodle Fight! That looks so much fun 🙂
Wooow! Just wow! Palawan is truly heaven on earth! Ganda ng place! 🙂
Wooow! Just wow! Palawan is truly heaven on earth! Ganda ng place! 🙂
stunning!!
kisses from dubai ♥
http://www.mahryska.com
stunning!!
kisses from dubai ♥
http://www.mahryska.com
Wow 800Php lang yun lahat? Sulit ah. Thanks for blogging about JY Travel and Tours and also Coron Palawan, I might suggest this to my auntie who loves to island hopping. I love Kayangan lake, I thought we dont have clean lakes already lol
Wow 800Php lang yun lahat? Sulit ah. Thanks for blogging about JY Travel and Tours and also Coron Palawan, I might suggest this to my auntie who loves to island hopping. I love Kayangan lake, I thought we dont have clean lakes already lol
My boyfriend and I were also planning to go to Coron!! But then our laziness kicked in so we just booked a room in shang for a staycation hahahaha. Maybe next year! The place looks divine!
My boyfriend and I were also planning to go to Coron!! But then our laziness kicked in so we just booked a room in shang for a staycation hahahaha. Maybe next year! The place looks divine!
This is the best post ever!!! I'm planning on going home to Manila next year and island hop. Coron was on my list but I was wondering how to go about tours and you are a complete lifesaver!!!
P.S. That boodle fight looks amazing, I am a hardcore fan of pinakbet!! Super sarap!!!
This is the best post ever!!! I'm planning on going home to Manila next year and island hop. Coron was on my list but I was wondering how to go about tours and you are a complete lifesaver!!!
P.S. That boodle fight looks amazing, I am a hardcore fan of pinakbet!! Super sarap!!!
This is so nice. It's nice the two of you had fun. I want to go here someday and I might go with Yobo. Hihi. <3
http://www.ajeinomoto.com | Spices & Everything Nice
This is so nice. It's nice the two of you had fun. I want to go here someday and I might go with Yobo. Hihi. <3
http://www.ajeinomoto.com | Spices & Everything Nice
Pretty decent price! I haven't been to Coron but I'd really love to. Must save for plane tickets! 🙂
Pretty decent price! I haven't been to Coron but I'd really love to. Must save for plane tickets! 🙂
Thanks for the tips! I have a planned trip to Palawan next year and Coron is on my must-visit list. 🙂 Nice posts, btw! i'm bookmarking this blog! 🙂
http://yapakpilipinas.blogspot.com
Thanks for the tips! I have a planned trip to Palawan next year and Coron is on my must-visit list. 🙂 Nice posts, btw! i'm bookmarking this blog! 🙂
http://yapakpilipinas.blogspot.com