I S L A N D - H O P P I N G A D V E N T U R E S
If you like to hike, a climb up the
700-
plus steps to Mt Tapyas is a must.
You’ll get a bird’s-eye view of Coron
Town. The best times to go are early in
the morning to see the sunrise or late in
the afternoon to catch the sunset.
Crystal clearwaters
But it’s the white sand beaches and
secret lagoons that put this region on its
own level entirely. Start off by renting
a
bangka
(
outrigger boat) and head
out for a day. Hotels can help provide
a reputable boatman or you can make
arrangements on your own with one of
the many parked by the pier. Make sure
to either bring lunch onboard or request
that the boatmen cook something up,
because island-hopping is a daylong
affair. As each island has an entrance
fee that goes to covering its upkeep,
make sure to bring along some cash.
Sporty travelers should ask their
guide to stop off at Kayangan Lake,
a freshwater lake on top of
a mountain. A short hike
is involved, but you’ll be
rewarded with a fantastic
view as well as an
invigorating swim. Getting
to the island itself is already
an adventure. Because it’s a
popular destination, bancas
crowd around the beach, so
the only way to get to shore
is to use bamboo bridges
to cross from one banca to
another until you reach sand.
Only visit Kayangan Lake if
you intend to hike up the mountain
and take a dip. The beach is not
great for swimming or wading, as it’s
crowded with boats waiting for their
passengers to finish their swim.
Kayangan Lake is a
freshwater lake on
top of a mountain;
(
below) the only way
to see Coron’s beautiful
islands is by
bangka
(
outrigger boat)
PHOTOS
AL LINSANGAN
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