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Published: March 28th 2010
Siete Picados
My first try at snorkelling-- and failed ! It’s the start of our adventure and we were excited. My friend had booked the airport taxi to pick us up at 5 o’clock to the Domestic airport. Those cabs costs 550 pesos. You can choose between the ordinary car type, or an Innova type—and it still costs the same.
However, we went to the wrong terminal. So, we had to rush to get another cab and go to the new terminal where Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific airlines are departing. And that means we spend more 60 pesos more for the cab.
The plane to Busuanga was on schedule . We rode Air Philippines flight, which we got at a discounted price of 2200 pesos each for a return ticket. Check their web
here for more promos on more destinations.
Terminal fee for domestic flights is 200 pesos. Since I am not a Filipino, i dont have to pay for a certain amount of tax ( if I am not mistaken, around 1600 pesos? Please correct me if I am wrong). The flight only took 45 minutes. The view was quite spectacular from above with many islands and different shades of blue . LOVELY !
From
Kayangan Lake
The breathtaking Kayangan Lake Busuanga airport, there is a shuttle going to the Coron Town Proper. Get a ride and pay 150 pesos for each person. As much as possible, get a reservation at a local guesthouse beforehand, so you know where they should drop you off. The view from the airport to the town was breathtaking as well. It looks like a savanna—with cattles sitting under shady trees. Great !
We stayed at Patrick’s guesthouse. It is a 6 room guesthouse with common bathrooms separated for girls and guys. A room can fit 4 person. We got 2 rooms for 2 nights at the rate of around 3000 pesos, so that means 250 pesos for each person.
Upon arrival, we found out that we have to prepare for our own food, so off we went to Coron market which is just a walk away. We bought some food stocks to be cooked during our trip. When we got everything we needed, we headed back and prepared for our island hopping !
We also rent a boat for 2 days, ( complete with the boat captain...ay ay ! ) for 5500 pesos. The boat comes with life vests. However, if you
Barracuda Lake
The "dangerous" Baracuda Lake want to rent a snorkeling gear, you may do so with a 150 pesos rental fee per day. By 11:30 we were all set to go and the adventure can finally begin.
1.Siete Picados Our first stop was these beautiful islets called Siete Picados. Our boat captain said there are a lot of fishes and it’s a good site for snorkeling. I had my first attempt on snorkeling here, and sadfully—quite a failure too. Hahaha ! But i catched a glimpse of some beautiful fishes before i inhaled some salt water ( i can’t seem to breathe thru my mouth when i’m underwater). But it’s all good. At least, i gave it a try and I could actually move around on water with my life vest ! Yeheyyy. We stayed there for about 1 hour.
Entrance fee : 100 pesos
2. Kayangan lake Voted for the cleanest lake in Asia (I am a believer now), Kayangan lake is one of the most famous landmarks of the Philippines ( you can find Kayangan lake postcards at any bookstore here). My verdict? Definitely beautiful ! The color of the water is so breath taking, I
Skeleton Wreck
Beautiful snorkeling site ! can stare at it for hours. And yes, they voted it right ! It’s clean all the way thru ! You can swim here as well since there is almost no current. But, instead of taking a dip, I decided to try to climb up and take some pictures. It felt much more rewarding that way ( and i can take home many good pictures to show off ! ). We stayed there for around 2 hours—including lunch as well
Entrance fee : 200 pesos
3. Baracuda Lake When we were almost at the entrance, I knew this spot is to die for ! I can see the stone spikes up high, with a very cute hut waiting for us. And when my friends shouted out that there is no way inside but ONLY thru climbing these stones, i was ecstatic. I reached up, grab some stones and voila ! I was able to stand and get some snaps ! However, we decided not to attempt going down there. Heights might be conquered, but for sure I don’t want to risk any of them falling down. I just climb up, take some shots from above and
Banana Island
Overnight at Banana Island get back to the boat.
Entrance fee : 100 pesos
4.Skeleton Wreck Our next trip was to visit Skeleton Wreck, one of the famous snorkeling sites in Coron. Famous for it’s Japanese warship wreck, it’s indeed a great place—not only for snorkeling, but also for being lazy ! . Since I still feel backpain from my snorkeling attempt at Siete Picados, I once again decided just to climb on one of the rocks and chilled out there. It is really lovely—and i dont really mind not getting wet. We stayed for around 1 hour and afterwards we were set to go
Entrance fee : 100 pesos
5.Banana Island Then, we headed to Banana Island—which is a 1 hour trip from Skeleton Wreck. We had plans to stay there overnight because we heard many positive reviews about it. We were trying to guess why they call it banana island, and to our dissapointment—it doesn’t look like banana nor there is any banana trees on site.
We asked around and we found a good lodging at the rate of 700 pesos per night per person ( that already includes the 200 pesos entrance
Beautiful Savanna
What you can see on your way to Coron Town fee). The lodge consisted of 2 rooms with 2 bathrooms and there’s electricity as well ( and fresh water is available upon request ). We got some sunset shots, prepared for our food, chit chatted and went directly to sleep. That was one of the most peaceful sleep ever ! I love being in Banana island
Notes and suggestions :
1. Our morning experience taught us that when buying plane tickets, please ensure on which terminal you will depart. Although the airport is still within the same area but there is no transportation going between terminals other than taxi.
2. Taxi drivers sometimes takes an advantage out of panicked passengers and it almost happened to us. Always insists in using metered charge. Get down if they will not comply to this.
3. When you are making lodge/guesthouse reservations, please ensure that there is no miscommunications. Take note of what they are actually offering and double check on everything.
4. When going beach hopping, use sun block. Higher SPF is the better. We got a SPF 70 lotion and still got burned. Apply and re-apply after several hours !
5. Island hopping in Coron
Siete Picados
Lonely island ? = EXPENSES. For every site you visit, there’s an entrance fee. Always have extra pocket money !
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samrat dhamale
sammy
excellent pics