Coron, in Palawan in the Philippines is a fabulous island to explore with kids – and with beautiful island hopping tours, hot springs and a fabulous waterfall, there’s so much to do in Coron with kids.
Coron is the third largest island in the Calamian archipelago in northern Palawan just 300 kilometres south west of Manila and. It’s known for its stunning clear water, beautiful lakes, shipwrecks, incredible diving and snorkelling, limestone rocks and green hills. It’s more than likely you would have seen the photos – old volcanos rising from clear blue water surrounded by banka boats. It’s just beautiful. Before you head out to the water, take this half day tour around town to all the sites – then start island hopping!
Packing list:
After many trips to the Philippines I’ve created a packing list of what to take to the Philippines. Find our Philippines Packing List here.
How do I get to Coron?
Getting there is easy, just fly into Busuanga – the airport closest to Coron – from either Manilla or Cebu. From Manilla it’s around an hour and 15 minutes and Cebu is one hour and 30 minutes away. The flights are is beautiful – over mountains and ocean and little islands surrounded by beautiful turquoise water and sandy beaches. You can also catch the fast ferry from El Nido to Coron – it takes three to four hours.
We flew in from Manila with Cebu Pacific on a 9.40am plane that left on time and arrived a little early. The flight takes around one hour 15 minutes and flies over such gorgeous blue water and coral reefs. It’s just divine.
We’re loving flying with Cebu Pacific in the Philippines
What age is good for kids?
I’d suggest kids a little older, probably 5+ as it is an island hopping town. The boat trips are incredible and explore amazing islands, volcanoes and beaches but if you’re holding a baby on a boat all day it’s not going to be much fun. If kids can snorkel they’re going to love the adventures here.
Where to stay:
We stayed at The Funny Lion and wow, it’s amazing – rooms are big, bed is comfy, bathroom modern with nice hot water and a huge shower head…and it has a gorgeous pool with spa and a bit of a fancy restaurant overlooking the mangroves and water.
Swim time at The Funny Lion, Coron
It’s great for kids – staff are friendly, the pool has a shallow play area with bubble jets, the restaurant menu is kid friendly and it’s just nice and chilled.
Other family friendly resorts include Kokosnuss Garden Resort which is so cute with a love heart shaped pool and rooms for only $66 AUD per night – you will need a tricycle into town but its not far and is part of the fun, Sophia’s Garden Resort and the Bacau Bay Resort which is a little more fancy at around $200 per night.
Coron has accommodation to suit all budgets, from guesthouses to luxury – click here to search hotels in Coron.
Best things to do in Coron with kids.
Tapyas Viewdeck
It’s highest point in Coron, and Tapyas Hill has stunning views over the the surrounding water and islands. It’s 724 steps or so to the top – which the locals love telling you – and it’s a pretty good climb too.
Nonoi our driver, took us to the start of the climb and up we went, me with my backpack, Em still sleepy and dawdling behind. We were hot and sweaty by the time we got to the top for the beautiful views, a giant cross and Hollywood style Coron spelt our in white letters at the top of the mountain.
There is a small track that goes around the very top of the mountain, and make sure to follow it around for lovely views of rolling green hills. There are tracks to pagodas you can follow if you have time to rest and just watch the clouds roll by.
Gorgeous green hills and little tracks
We watched as the sun set, the mountains to the east covered in a blue haze as the light was lost and the sun fell beneath the clouds. Cameras were banned by mutual agreement and we sat together holding hands and just watching nature and its beautiful show.
Macquinit Hot Springs
Then, down the steps – harder for me that up I reckon- into the tricycle and off to Maquinit Hot Springs. It’s about 10-15 minutes out of town along a dirt track to get there but it is so worth the drive. No pics I’m afraid as it was dark, we were knackered and well, I just wanted to get into the springs!
It was evening by the time we arrived and so the temperature had dropped – I do not know if or how people come here during the day with the sun beating down as the water is hot. Not too hot but it is more than a warm bath. Perfect for sore legs after the climb. It cost 300 pesos for both of us and we got changed into our cosies and went over to the springs.
There’s one big pool and other small pools scattered around beside it, full of beautiful hot water with steam rising from stand lined with pebbles. It wasn’t crowded at all and was nice and calm and quiet and Emmie and I floated around – once we’d eased ourselves in – for about 20 minutes before we were too hot and needed cooling off. We hung on the side for a while and then after another dip we were ready to head home – we definitely want to come back here, maybe in late afternoon and just spend some time swimming and lazing around. It feels so calming and relaxing to be heated up.
Conception Falls
This gorgeous little swimming hole and falls is a short tricycle ride away, and you go through some beautiful little villages on the way. Swim, jump form rocks and use the rope swings into the pools. Ask your driver to take you there and back and if you’re lucky like us, he will come swimming with you and help with the rope swing too. It’s beautiful.
Island hopping
Coron is incredible for island hopping and you will find trips to suit families – check how long it is between stops as small kids may get restless – and you can always book a private boat too. You can read all about our island hopping adventure here.
If you have a few days try as many trips as you can, or hire a private tour and avoid the crowds.
This Reef and Wreck Tour takes you to the coral reefs and wrecks that lay on the floor of the ocean here – we’ve done this tour and the snorkelling and history is amazing.
The Coron Super Ultimate Day Tour really does have (almost) everything you’re just missing the two lakes – but what you will see is breathtaking, including Kayangan Lake, the cleanest lake in the Philippines, Barracuda Lake, with its layers of cold, warm, and hot water, snorkelling at Siete Pecados Marine Park and lunch at Beach 91. Amazing!
Read all about Coron’s island hopping tours here.
If you’ve only got a week or so why not choose one of these fabulous six-day Philippines itineraries.
