My first expedition set me to a Gorgeous place called Coron Palawan.
Coron Island Palawan is a wedge-shaped limestone island, with few of its coastal areas being covered by mangrove forests. It has seven lakes most of the famous lakes are Twin Lagoon, Barakuda and Kayangan.
When I was there according to the locals only 3 lakes are open for public and the other 4 are restricted since natives of Coron “Tagbanuas” inhabit the said lakes.
Our boatman even said that those lakes are far more beautiful than the 3 lakes we’ve seen. Can’t even imagine what those lakes looks like if Kayangan Lake is breathtaking already.
If you’re really interested to see those lakes, then look for a Tagbanuas and befriend with them.
The main industries of Coron are fishing and tourism, being a popular diving location. The aquatic views from the sunken Japanese warships off Coron Island are listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine’s top 10 best scuba diving sites in the world. And I didn’t even know that till I researched it.
First Day.
Our flight schedule from manila airport to basuanga airport is
9:30 am-10:30 am, I’m so much excited with this trip I even arrived at the airport around 6am. Just want make sure that I will not be late with my flight, at exactly 9:17 we departed from NAIA terminal 3 and headed to Basuanga Airport. Good-bye manila and welcome CORON Palawan!
We arrived at Basuanga Airport exactly 10:02am 28 minutes earlier than expected arrival time. Hooray cebu pacific!
As expected our “sundo” is already waiting for us.
Estimated travel time from coron airport to coron seaport is 45mins but first they treated us with a welcome BRUNCH at Balay Majika Lodge in coron city.
Then we continued traveling heading toward to coron seaport, and finally around 11:54 am we arrived at coron seaport and start heading towards majika resort.
If your planning to rent a boat those are the prices.
Around 12:47pm we arrived at Majika resort Island
After putting our luggage in our designated cottages we roam around this private island to see whats in store for us, I cant imagine and explain my feelings that time, Finally I was able to go to Coron Palawan, travel time from manila to Majika Island is all worth it!
After taking some good and well deserve rest. Our tour guide Ate Bernadette told us to get ready since we will go for a swim in front of the island.
This is the spot a floating small house in the middle of clear water. We did not waste anytime we put our snorkeling gears. “Lets get it on!”
Unfortunately 4 out 6 were injured although it’s not serious. Most of us suffered scratches from the corals. If you go here just be careful with the corals. ^___^ Didn’t see any colorful fishes in the area.
Then after 2hours of snorkeling we decided to go back since we our hungry already. They served miryenda for free (came with the package.) Unlimited bread with palaman. Choice of strawberry jam, orange jam, Cheezwiz and peanut butter. Drinks like water and coffee is drink all you can, so good for those who love coffee’s.
After eating we decided to go to the top of the Majika Island to see the spectacular 360 View of islands surrounding our Resort. We hike for about 10-15min to reach the top most area.
After reaching the top most part of the mountain, no doubt about it. It’s freaking gorgeous up here. It’s all worth it! Although it’s a little bit too late sine the mountains is almost covering the sun.
Then after taking pictures we started descending the mountain and proceed to majika dinning area to have our dinner. Forgot to take pictures since all of us are so hungry that time. ^___^
Then we decided to take a rest since our 1st island hopping will start at 7am.
END OF DAY 1
Expenses for the day
100 pesos for chichirya from town
480 for souvenir dress (180(x2) for XL and 120 for small size)
500 pesos for the entrance fee for all the lakes and islands that we will be visiting. (If your planning to booked with Majika Resort I highly advise to give the entrance fee to them so that u will no longer need to bring money while on tour.)
Day 2
We woke up around 5am and prepare for our island hopping; we started our day eating heavy breakfast, since this will be a long and tiring trip.
After we had our breakfast we went to our Banka and started our island hopping tour. We went to City first since they need to pick up some stuff/stock for the resort.
While on our way to kayangan lake i spotted this house, and according to our tour guide. those are Tagbanuan
Then we headed towards Kayangan Lake, we arrived around 9:30am.
Kayangan lake
Kayangan Lake, which is located at Coron Island, Northern Palawan is said to be the cleanest lake in the Philippines. Sometimes called the Blue Lagoon, this freshwater lagoon is amidst sheer limestone cliffs. You need to do some hiking’s to reach the lagoon. But I swear it’s all worth. Just be careful since the rocks are slippery and sharp. I also recommend bringing some bread for fish feeding.
Next Stop Banol beach for our lunchtime. We arrived around 11:30am noting too much fancy with this small front white beach area. It has a 3 nepa hut were you will, stay and eat.
Banol Beach is just one of the many white sand beaches you can find on the island of Coron, Palawan. The place is actually just one of the major islands in the Calamianes Island group.
Finally done with our fantastic lunch! next stop will be Twin Lagoon.
We arrived at twin lagoon around 2pm.
The twin lagoon nestled in a cathedral of huge limestone formation in what is known as Calis Mountain.
This lagoon is filled with saltwater and to get to the lagoon, You have to options either you use the wooden stair or dive under since you need to pass through a narrow opening on the side of the mountain.
Going through it is like moving into another world. The water is cool and trees grasp to the sides of the gray limestone cliffs. The calmness of the place cleanses the mind of worries and stress caused by busy city life.
Was not able to brought my SLR since i need to dive in order to go to the other side.
Our last stop for that day was Siete Pecados and we arrived around 4pm
I have to say that this is an amazing site for snorkeling as it has a full range of sea life and great visibility. If you love snorkeling ill bet you’d love this place. I suggest bringing some bread to feed those gorgeous fish and that’s the best time to take some pictures. ^___^
Unfortunately due to low tide we weren’t able to make it to the Maquinit Hot Spring. But if your hotel or resort is not located in any island base resort you can just rode a tricycle from the city and just tell the driver that you will go to Maquinit Hot Spring.
Time to go home!
Sunset while on our way to Majika
We arrived at Majika Island around 5:20pm, take some good bath then at 7pm its dinner time!
End of Day 2
Expenses of the day.
We paid 500 for all the entrance fees for this day and tomorrow.
Day 3
We decided to start our trip with scuba diving on one of the Japanese shipwreck site called “Sangat Cargo ship” According to our dive master this is good for beginners since its only about 40-45 feet.
Wasn’t able to take a picture of the boat itself since my underwater camera has a limit of 10feet. So if you would like to capture some pictures of it better bring underwater camera that can go beyond 50 feet since other shipwreck are way deeper than this one. But don’t be sad according to our dive master we will go to one of the diving spot as well but this time you will actually see part of the boat emerging from top of the ocean. (Depends on the sea level)
After our scuba diving we went back to Majika Island for our lunch, and that was around 12 noon.
Around 1pm we went back to our boat for another trip to one of the Shipwreck diving spot(lusong) but this time my underwater camera will kick in since the boat itself is visible since its just along the coast line. But before we headed to the site we did some side trip to one of the hidden hot spring, and damn it’s really hot. We even need to walk in a narrow passage with mangrove trees and sharp corals along the way. Had some minor scratches due to corals so I highly advise to bring aqua shoes and actually for the entire trip you need to have aqua shoes. Sea urchin my friends. ^__^
See the tip of the ship? ^___^
After lusong shipwreck we supposed to visit coral bay but unfortunately it’s low tide big time and our boat can no longer pass. So we decided to call it a day and that is around 4:30pm. We arrived at majika island around 5:20pm, Had a meryenda “Toron”
Yummy.
Take some rest and preparing for our dinner.
End of Day 3
DAY 4
woke up at 6am and wohlah our breakfast is ready.
About our Resort Majika
About MajikaTours Palawan Adventurer Holiday.
They have a superb Value Group adventurer package and is virtually worry free. All you need to do is arrive at the Busuanga airport and everything will be taken cared by them. Food, Tours, Accommodations, Transfers and Activities
Inclusions:
1. Roundtrip Land transfer from Busuanga Airport to Coron Town (35minutes)
2. Roundtrip Boat transfer from Coron town to the Island resort (45minutes to 1 hour)
3. Accommodation at the Majika Adventure Island Resort [ They have Spacious Family cottages which are fan-cooled with 2 QUEEN –SIZED BEDS (4-6person capacity) with toilet and bath plus your own ocean view veranda]
(insert picture)
4. Welcome BRUNCH upon arrival in Coron town at Balay Majika Lodge
5. ALL FAMILY MEALS style: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
6. Afternoon light snacks/merienda with Palawan Brewed coffee
7. TWO DAYS OF FUN PACKED DAY TOURS: Ocean Sea adventure, Island Hopping and Sightseeing.
A) The Coron Bay Tour includes stops at Kayangan Lake, [P200/person] Twin Lagoon[P50/person], Banol Beach [P100/person]or the Sunset Beach and CYC Beach. (Optional Destinations are: Siete Pecados Marine Park and the Maquinit Hotsprings(P100 for each site). Please take note that the various conservation/entrance fees to the various stops, are per person and for your own account.
B) The Bintuan Marine Park (BMP) Tour(P50/person) includes the following:
Two World War II Japanese Ship Wrecks and BMP Coral Gardens (One of the best snorkeling-diving sites in Palawan)
BMP Sea Hotsprings, BMP Mangroves CANOEING and fine white beach
8. The UNIQUE Featured Resort Activities which should not be missed are:
Sunrise or sunset Hill Hike
Coral Reef Snorkeling in front of the Resort
White Sand Swimming beside the Coral reef
Evening Mangrove Canoe Firefly Ride
Daytime canoe ride to Sangat Island
Other Free activities:
Picture Taking, Karaoke, Table Tennis, Billiards, Floating bamboo bar,
Picnic Lunch, Beach Volleyball, Badminton, Frisbee, Chess, Sungka, Cards/ Videoke/ DVD movies
FOR RENT @ the Resort: a. Set of Mask and Snorkel 150 Pesos / day
b. Imported family kayak (3-person capacity) 500 Pesos / halfday
LOCAL PADDLE CANOES are FREE to all Majika (group) guests
(All information was base on the email they send to me.)
So for me if you want Island base accommodation and not the usual town proper accommodation and hassle free trip. Then I highly advise to contact Majika and booked now!
That’s all for my Coron, Palawan Adventure. See you on my next trip.
-Marky-
For more info you can contact them at 09087316537 or visit http://majikatours.multiply.com/
