Coron Coastal Cliffs, Beach and Malcapuya Island Hopping

Coron's finest beaches, by boat

Coron is famous for its lagoons and shipwrecks, but to the south lies a string of islands with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines - and this tour is built around them. You cruise past towering limestone cliffs and turquoise shallows to Malcapuya Island and its neighbours, spending the day swimming off powder-white sand, snorkelling over coral, and soaking in scenery so vivid it barely looks real. It is the beach-lover's side of Coron, away from the busier lagoon circuit.

What the day holds

Malcapuya Island

Malcapuya is the star - a long curve of fine white sand backed by palms and lapped by water in every shade of blue and green. There is time to swim, sunbathe, walk the shoreline and snorkel the fringing reef, with far fewer crowds than the famous Coron landmarks. For many visitors it is the most beautiful beach of their whole trip.

Coastal cliffs and neighbouring islands

The route also takes in the dramatic karst coastline - sheer limestone walls rising straight from clear water - and stops at nearby islands and sandbars such as Banana and Bulog, each with its own quiet beach and snorkelling. Between the stops, the boat threads through scenery that is the very definition of tropical paradise.

The setting

Coron sits at the northern tip of Palawan, in a labyrinth of limestone islands and exceptionally clear, protected water that ranks among the most spectacular seascapes on earth. The southern islands like Malcapuya trade the cliffs and lakes of the main circuit for classic white-sand beaches, giving Coron real variety. Boats depart from Coron town, and even the transits are part of the spectacle.

Practical tips

Bring swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a towel and a waterproof pouch for your phone - you will want photos at every stop. Water shoes help on rocky landings. Most tours include the boat, lunch, snorkelling gear and guiding; confirm the details and carry cash for the park and environmental fees common in the Coron area. The dry season from roughly November to May offers the calmest seas and clearest water, and an early start beats both the heat and the crowds.

Who it is for

This tour is for beach lovers, couples, families and friends who want Coron's most beautiful sands without the planning. It is relaxed and scenic rather than strenuous, and the powder-white beaches make it wonderfully photogenic. Book through the GetYourGuide link on this page.