Coron Island Tour B (Shared Tour)

Coron saves its best scenery for the water. This full-day boat outing packs Barracuda Lake, Twin Lagoon, Skeleton Reef, and Reef Garden into about eight hours, with swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and a picnic lunch along the way. I like the smaller maximum group of 15, which can mean more time at each stop, and I like that permits, entrance fees, lunch, a guide, life vests, and medical supplies are included.

The main caution is that the advertised price of $110 may not cover every extra you need. Snorkel equipment and kayaks have cost additional money on some departures, and the environmental fee is excluded. Boat safety also deserves attention: one person reported slippery areas and low headroom, so watch your footing and your head when moving around the vessel.

Key points at a glance

• Four major water stops in one day: Barracuda Lake, Smith Beach, Skeleton Reef, and Twin Lagoon give you a mix of swimming, snorkeling, scenery, and sand.
• A smaller shared group: The maximum of 15 people can make boarding, swimming, and moving between stops easier than on a very large boat.
• Strong guide service can shape the day: Guides including Paul, Bernie, Ryan, also called Pang Pang, Rommel, and Gaspar have been praised for humor, care, photos, and keeping the group happy.
• Lunch is part of the package: You receive a picnic buffet, though food preferences and flies at an outdoor meal may affect your enjoyment.
• Extra costs need checking: The environmental fee is not included, and snorkel gear or kayaking may cost more.
• Plan for water and boat safety: Bring care around slippery surfaces, low areas on the boat, and the physical demands of repeated swimming stops.

What $110 buys you around Coron

At first glance, $110 is not a bargain-basement price for a shared boat tour in the Philippines. The value comes from the number of major sites packed into one day and from the costs already covered: a licensed guide, tourist boat, life vest, lunch, permits, entrance fees, and hotel pickup and drop-off to the wharf area.

That package matters in Coron. You are not simply paying for a boat ride. You are paying for access to places that require permits and organized boat movement, plus a guide who can help the day run smoothly. Entrance fees at Barracuda Lake, Smith Beach, Skeleton Reef, and Twin Lagoon are listed as included, which removes several small payments that can otherwise pile up.

Still, I would not treat $110 as the final amount until you confirm the environmental fee and equipment charges. The tour details say the environmental fee is excluded. One account also reports separate charges for snorkeling equipment and a kayak. If you do not bring your own mask and snorkel, ask exactly what rental costs apply before boarding.

There is also a transportation detail worth clarifying. The inclusions list complimentary pickup and drop-off from your hotel to the wharf area, while the general tour description says round-trip transportation is available for an additional cost. The safest approach is to confirm what hotel transfer is covered for your booking and what, if anything, costs extra.

Starting at 8:00 a.m. with a small boat group

The listed start time is 8:00 a.m., and the tour lasts roughly eight hours. That makes this a full day rather than a quick morning outing. You will move through several water sites, so the pace includes boat rides, swimming, snorkeling, getting in and out of the water, and time for lunch.

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is one of the more useful features of this shared trip. A smaller group is easier for a guide to supervise, and it can reduce the waiting involved when people gather for photos, enter the water, or return to the boat.

The trade-off is that shared tours do not give you control over every pause. The group follows a set route, and the exact amount of time at each place may depend on weather, conditions, and how quickly everyone is ready. The published plan allows about one hour at each listed stop, which is generous enough to enjoy each location without turning the day into a rushed photo stop.

Your boat includes life vests, and a medical kit is provided. That is useful, but it does not remove the need for care. Keep one hand free when moving, watch for wet surfaces, and take extra care around low parts of the boat. A person on the tour reported hitting their head more than once and slipping, with other people slipping too. This is a practical warning, not a reason to avoid the trip.

Barracuda Lake, a striking first stop

The first stop is Barracuda Lake, with about an hour set aside to explore and swim. It is one of the tour’s headline locations, and the appeal is the unusual lake setting surrounded by Coron’s dramatic rock scenery.

The stop is best for people who want to get in the water rather than simply look from the boat. The itinerary specifically presents it as a place to experience and explore, so bring swimwear and be ready for a wet start to the day. You receive admission as part of the tour.

Because Barracuda Lake is only one stop in a busy day, you should use the hour well. Follow the guide’s instructions, allow time to enter and leave the water, and avoid spending the entire visit taking photos from the edge. The beauty here is tied to the combination of clear water, rock walls, and the unusual feeling of swimming in a lake reached by boat.

Smith Beach for sand, lunch, and a slower pause

Smith Beach gives the day a change of rhythm. After the first lake stop, you get about an hour at a sandy beach where you can relax, explore, and enjoy the scenery. The tour also includes a picnic lunch buffet, described as a meal enjoyed on a pristine sandy beach, though the supplied details do not confirm that lunch is always served at Smith Beach.

The beach stop is valuable because a full day of water activities can become tiring. You can sit down, dry off, eat, and take a break from climbing in and out of the boat. The meal is included, which helps the price feel more reasonable.

Food is a personal matter. One person found the food acceptable but did not enjoy Filipino dishes and had trouble with flies around the meal. An outdoor buffet is exposed to the surroundings, so I would keep your plate covered when you are not eating and bring any snacks you know you will want. The lunch is convenient and filling for many people, but it is not a restaurant meal with a choice of menu.

Skeleton Reef and the underwater view

Skeleton Reef is the snorkeling stop, with about an hour to see the area below the surface. The tour description also uses the name Skeleton Wreck, so you may see either name used when discussing this part of the route.

This is the stop for anyone who wants more than beach scenery. The strongest praise for the tour focuses on the coral seen while snorkeling, and the underwater sights are one of the clearest reasons to choose this route. The experience is not only about ticking off famous places. You get time to swim and look closely at the marine setting.

You need to plan for gear. Snorkel equipment is not clearly included in the package, and one account specifically says it required an extra payment. Ask before the boat leaves. If you already own suitable equipment, bringing it may help you avoid an unexpected charge, but the supplied details do not promise that personal gear is required or that rentals are always available.

A guide can make this stop much better. Paul, Bernie, and other crew members have been praised for helping with photos and videos and for taking care of people in the water. That kind of assistance is especially useful when you want a picture without handing your phone to a stranger at the last second.

Twin Lagoon and the option of kayaking

Twin Lagoon is another hour-long stop and one of the visual highlights of the route. The two connected bodies of water create the kind of scene that makes Coron boat trips popular, with steep rock surroundings and calm water for swimming.

You may also have the chance to kayak here. One person specifically enjoyed seeing the Twin Lagoons by kayak, but kayaking has also been reported as an extra charge. Confirm the price before you commit. If you prefer to swim, the tour is still built around enjoying the lagoon itself, so you are not required to pay for a kayak simply to take part in the stop.

Twin Lagoon can be a busy place, and the group format means you may share the water with other boats. The best strategy is to listen for the guide’s timing and use the quieter moments well. You can admire the view, take photos, and swim without treating the stop as a race.

Reef Garden, the final water experience

The route finishes with Coron Reef Garden, listed as about one hour and with no additional admission ticket. This gives you another chance to see coral and marine life after Skeleton Reef, rather than ending the day as soon as the main lagoon stops are complete.

I like this final stop because it keeps the focus on the sea. If you have enjoyed snorkeling earlier, Reef Garden gives you another opportunity to spend time in the water. If you are tired, it may feel like a demanding last activity after a full day, so pace yourself from the start.

The supplied details do not specify the exact reef conditions or what species you will see. Expect the value to come from snorkeling and the setting, not from a guaranteed wildlife checklist. Conditions, visibility, and crowd levels can change, and the guide will direct the group based on the day’s situation.

The people can make or break the trip

The guide team receives some of the warmest praise connected with this experience. Paul is described as upbeat, funny, and willing to go beyond the basic job. Bernie and Paul were also credited with helping people and taking good photos and videos.

Ryan, known as Pang Pang, has been praised for being an entertainer, guide, boat captain, and singer. Rommel and Gaspar were also singled out for making sure people’s needs were met, with Gaspar especially noted for taking photos. These details give you a useful sense of the tour’s character: the crew may be active hosts, not simply people who point out the next stop.

That strength is not guaranteed in exactly the same way on every departure. One person found that most of the tour was conducted in Tagalog and could not follow much of it. If clear English commentary is important to you, ask about the language used on your specific departure. A friendly guide can still provide excellent practical help, but entertainment and explanation are not the same thing.

What to bring and what to watch

The tour includes a life vest and medical kit, but you should still prepare for a wet, active day. Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a secure way to carry small items. The supplied details do not list a dry bag, so protect phones and cameras from spray and wet hands.

I would also bring cash for possible extras. The environmental fee is excluded, and snorkel equipment or kayaking may cost more. The exact amount is not provided, so ask the operator before the tour rather than assuming the $110 covers every activity.

Use care on the boat. Wet decks and steps can be slippery, and low areas may be easy to bump your head on. Move slowly, hold on when possible, and do not rush back aboard after swimming.

Most people can participate, but this is not a passive sightseeing cruise. You will spend the day around water and may need to climb in and out of a boat. If you have concerns about swimming or movement, contact CTPH TOUR before booking and ask what assistance is available.

Who will get the most from Tour B

I would choose this tour if you want a broad introduction to Coron’s famous water sites in one day. It suits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, beaches, and photo stops, and who prefer a shared outing with a relatively small maximum group.

It is also a good fit if you like a social atmosphere. Several guides are praised for jokes, music, photos, and personal attention, and one person especially liked making new friends in the smaller group. That human side may be as memorable as the scenery.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, private boat day, a fully English-led experience, or complete control over your schedule. I would also think twice if unexpected charges bother you. Equipment and environmental fees need to be checked, and lunch is practical rather than tailored to every taste.

Should you book Coron Island Tour B?

Book it if you want four major water stops, included lunch and admission fees, and a small shared group with a lively crew. The scenery is the main reason to go, while the guide team can add real value through care, humor, and photos.

Before paying, confirm the environmental fee, hotel transfer arrangement, snorkel rental, kayak price, and guide language. Bring cash, protect your head and footing on the boat, and arrive ready for a full day in the water. With those points settled, Tour B offers a solid way to see Coron’s lagoons, lake, reef, and beach without arranging each stop yourself.

FAQ

How long does Coron Island Tour B last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and starts at 8:00 a.m.

What places are included on the route?

The route includes Barracuda Lake, Smith Beach, Skeleton Reef, Twin Lagoon, and Coron Reef Garden.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch buffet is included.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. The listed permits and entrance fees are included. The environmental fee is not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Complimentary pickup and drop-off from your hotel to the wharf area are listed among the inclusions. The general tour details also mention transportation at an additional cost, so confirm the exact transfer arrangement for your booking.

Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks included?

They are not clearly included. An account of the tour reports additional payment for snorkel equipment and kayaking, so ask CTPH TOUR about current charges.

How many people can join the shared tour?

The tour has a maximum of 15 people.