Coron Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon and Shipwreck Snorkelling Tour

Barracuda Lake

Barracuda Lake is hidden inside the limestone walls of Coron Island. From the boat landing, wooden steps climb over sharp, jagged rock for a few minutes, then drop down to a lake of astonishing clarity. Its water is layered: fresh near the surface, salt deeper down, and in places a warm band that divers compare to a hot bath.

Below the surface, grey limestone walls and pinnacles create an underwater landscape that draws freedivers from around the world. Snorkellers float above these canyons in silence, with only a few fish for company. Life jackets are required for swimming. Plan for about an hour, and wear water shoes or sandals with grip for the rocky steps.

Twin Lagoon

Twin Lagoon is one of the most photographed places in Coron. The boat anchors in the first lagoon, surrounded by cliffs, and the second lagoon lies hidden behind a wall of limestone. At low tide you swim through a narrow gap under the rock; at high tide you climb a short wooden ladder over it. Your guide checks the tide and shows the safest way across.

Inside, the water is calm and green and the cliffs rise steeply on every side. Fresh spring water mixes with the sea here, so you feel warm and cool layers and see a shimmering blur as you swim. Life jackets make the crossing easy for everyone. Expect about an hour of swimming and photos.

Skeleton Wreck

The Skeleton Wreck is the remains of a small vessel lying in shallow, clear water close to Coron Island. Its hull and ribs are now coated with coral and sponges and visited by reef fish such as damselfish and wrasse, and on calm days the whole outline is visible from the surface. The guide explains how to float gently above it without kicking up sand.

It is the easiest wreck in Coron for snorkellers, so it is a perfect first wreck for children and beginners. Coron Bay is also known for the larger wartime wrecks that lie deeper and are visited by scuba divers. Expect about forty-five minutes to an hour here, using the snorkel gear and life jacket provided.

Coral garden, beach stop and barbecue lunch

The coral garden is a broad, shallow reef of hard and soft corals full of colourful fish, an easy snorkel in calm water with your guide close by. Please float rather than stand on the coral and use reef-safe sunscreen. Afterwards the boat stops at a beach with white sand and clear water for swimming and rest.

Lunch is a traditional barbecue of grilled fish or chicken with rice, vegetables and fruit. Halal-certified food is limited in Coron, so tell us your dietary needs when booking and we pass them on; seafood and vegetarian options are easy. The beach and lunch stop lasts about an hour and a half. There is time to rest in the shade before the final snorkel.

Coron town: how to get there and best time to visit

Coron town, on Busuanga Island, is the base for boat trips to Coron Island. How to get to Coron: fly to Busuanga airport (USU), about one hour from Manila, then drive about thirty to forty minutes into town. From El Nido, a fast ferry takes about four hours when seas allow. This tour picks you up from hotels in Coron town.

The best time to visit Coron is December to May, when the sea is calm and the water clearest for snorkelling. From June to November typhoons and strong winds can cancel boat trips; the coast guard decides each morning. Combine this tour with a Kayangan Lake day for the full Coron experience.