REVIEW · PHILIPPINES
Coron Island Hopping Tour B with Skeleton Wreck & Barracuda Lake
Coron Tour B puts two of the island’s most unusual sights in the same day: a shallow World War II shipwreck and Barracuda Lake, where layers of water can feel strikingly different as you move through them. Add Twin Lagoon, Smith Beach, Reef Garden, and a cooked lunch, and you get a full day on the water for $32.
I like the strong mix of stops. The wreck gives the day a story, while the lagoons and beach provide time to swim, float, and take in Coron’s limestone cliffs. I also like that lunch and entrance fees are included, keeping the basic price clear.
The catch is the extra cost for snorkel equipment and kayak rental, about $25. A group of up to 30 people can also mean a busy boat and timed visits at popular sites. If you arrive by cruise ship, this standard schedule is not designed for you.
Key points before you book

- Skeleton Wreck is shallow enough for a snorkel visit, so you do not need a scuba certification to see the ship.
- Barracuda Lake is the most unusual stop, known for its striking water temperature changes, called a thermocline.
- Twin Lagoon and Smith Beach add variety, giving you cliffs, calm water, white sand, and time to relax.
- Lunch and entrance fees are included, which makes the $32 starting price good value.
- Snorkel gear and kayak rental are extra, costing about US$25.
- The boat can carry up to 30 people, so this suits social, budget-minded visitors more than anyone seeking a quiet private outing.
Why Tour B makes sense for a day in Coron

Coron is known for clear water, limestone formations, coral reefs, and wartime shipwrecks. Tour B brings several of those themes together without requiring you to arrange separate boat trips.
The advertised duration is six to eight hours, with departure at 9:00 am from Lualhati Park in Coron Town Proper. That gives you most of the day for the islands and lagoons, while still keeping the trip within the usual shape of a day excursion.
I see the route as a good choice if you want variety rather than one long beach stop. You will swim in a lake, look over a wreck, visit lagoons, spend time on a beach, and stop at a reef area. None of these sites needs to carry the whole day by itself.
The tour is run by Corazon Travel and Tours. The boat crew prepares lunch, handles the route, and provides the practical help that matters on a water-based outing. The boatmen were praised for competent service and Filipino hospitality, though one useful safety reminder came up: check that your life vest fits and is in good condition before leaving the dock.
A few more island trips around the Philippines worth a look
- El Nido: Island Hopping Tour A Lagoons and Beaches
★ 4.3 · 1,572 reviews - El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine
★ 4.4 · 625 reviews - Boracay: Island and Beach-Hopping Boat Tour with Snorkeling
★ 4.3 · 587 reviews
Barracuda Lake and its changing water

Barracuda Lake is the first listed stop, with about 45 minutes set aside. The site is known for clear turquoise water, dramatic limestone cliffs, and its thermocline, where water layers can have noticeably different temperatures.
That unusual water change is the reason this lake feels different from an ordinary swimming stop. You may notice the temperature shift as you move between layers. The exact sensation varies with weather and water conditions, but the thermocline is the main natural feature that gives the stop its name and reputation.
The cliffs frame the lake closely, creating a more enclosed setting than the open sea. It is a good early stop because you can swim and take in the surroundings before the day’s other sites. The 45-minute visit is enough for a look and a swim, though not long enough for a slow, unhurried stay.
You should expect some physical activity here. The tour calls for a moderate fitness level, and you will be moving between the boat and the water at several stops. Bring patience if you need extra time getting in and out, since a group schedule rarely waits indefinitely for one person.
Smith Beach for a simple lunch stop
Smith Beach offers the day’s easiest change of pace. It has powdery white sand, clear turquoise water, and coconut trees that provide shade. After the more unusual lake stop, this is the place to slow down.
About 45 minutes is planned here. That usually means enough time to step ashore, swim, rest under the trees, and eat if lunch is served at this point. The exact lunch location can vary, since the crew prepares it for one of the stops along the route, but you should expect a local-style meal rather than a restaurant service.
The food received particular praise for its local flavors. That matters on a full-day boat trip, where a filling meal is more than a pleasant extra. Lunch is included in the base fare, so you do not need to find a separate meal during the excursion.
Smith Beach is also a useful break for anyone who prefers not to spend every minute in the water. The downside is that the 45-minute stop can feel short if you want a long beach session. Think of it as a scenic rest and meal stop, not a full beach day.
Skeleton Wreck and a piece of Coron’s wartime past
Skeleton Wreck is the tour’s strongest stop for anyone interested in history and underwater sights. The remains of a Japanese supply ship from World War II lie just beneath the surface in shallow water.
Because the wreck is shallow and the water is clear, you can see it with a mask and snorkel. You do not need to plan a scuba session to appreciate the shape of the ship below you. The site combines a physical object with a direct connection to the battles around Coron, making it more memorable than a generic reef stop.
The planned visit lasts about 45 minutes. That should give you time to view the wreck, look at the surrounding reef, and swim around the site. Visibility depends on conditions, so keep your expectations sensible. Clear water is one of the reasons this area is popular, but no water-based stop is guaranteed to look identical every day.
Snorkel gear is not included. The listed extra cost for snorkel equipment and kayak rental is about US$25, so confirm what you actually need before paying. If you already have suitable equipment, ask if you can bring or use it, but the supplied information does not state the operator’s exact equipment rules.
Same water, a different boat:
- Puerto Princesa: Honda Bay Island Hopping & Optional Massage
★ 4.4 · 474 reviews - El Nido to Coron: 3-Day 2-Night Island-Hopping Expedition
★ 4.7 · 343 reviews - El Nido: Island Hopping Adventure by Haqqy Life
★ 4.6 · 340 reviews - El Nido: Island Hopping Tour B Cudognong Cave & More
★ 4.4 · 217 reviews
Twin Lagoon and Coron’s limestone walls
Twin Lagoon brings another kind of scenery. Two lagoons connect through a small opening, with steep limestone formations around the water. The setting is quiet and enclosed, and the changing water between the lagoons creates another memorable swimming experience.
The stop is scheduled for about 45 minutes. You will have time to look around, swim, and pass between the connected areas if conditions and access allow. The short visit keeps the group moving, but it also means you may need to choose between taking photos and spending time in the water.
Twin Lagoon works well beside Barracuda Lake because the two sites are not simply repeats of one another. Barracuda Lake is known for its thermocline and lake setting. Twin Lagoon is about connected saltwater spaces, cliffs, and the small passage between them.
If you dislike crowded swimming areas, ask about the day’s exact timing before booking. The boat limit is 30 people, and Coron’s best-known water sites can feel busy at popular times. A standard group tour gives you a lower price, but not control over the pace or arrival hour.
Reef Garden adds time for coral and fish
Reef Garden is included in the route summary, although the supplied schedule does not give it a separate duration. It adds another chance to see coral and marine life in a more open reef setting.
This stop helps balance the wreck and lagoon visits. The Skeleton Wreck gives you a focal point, while a reef garden lets you look at the underwater surroundings themselves. If your main aim is snorkeling, this may be one of the most useful parts of the day, along with the wreck.
Do not assume every stop will receive equal time. The listed itinerary gives 45 minutes for Barracuda Lake, Smith Beach, Skeleton Wreck, and Twin Lagoon, but the overall outing lasts six to eight hours and includes boat travel, lunch, and other route details. The crew may adjust timing to fit conditions and the group.
What the $32 price really covers

At $32 per person, this is a strong budget option for a full day around Coron. Your base fare includes lunch and entrance fees, two items that can make a low advertised price less useful if they are added later.
The real calculation changes if you need equipment. Snorkel gear and kayak rental cost about US$25, bringing the practical total close to $57 before any other personal spending. That can still be fair for a six to eight-hour boat trip with several major sites, but compare the final amount rather than the headline price.
Group size is another part of the value. A maximum of 30 people keeps the cost down, but you may have less room on the boat and less flexibility at each stop. If you value personal attention, quiet timing, or a custom route, a private tour may be worth the extra money.
The trip includes mobile ticketing and pickup is offered. The stated meeting point is Lualhati Park, X6W2+9PC, in Coron Town Proper, with the activity ending back there. Confirm the pickup arrangement when booking, since the listed start point and the pickup option may not be identical for every booking.
Who will enjoy this tour most
I would choose Tour B if you want the major Coron experience in one affordable day and you are comfortable sharing a boat. It suits people who want a mix of swimming, snorkeling, wartime history, beach time, and dramatic rock formations.
It is also a good fit for first-time visitors who do not want to spend hours comparing separate boat routes. The included lunch and entrance fees make planning easier, while the fixed 9:00 am start gives the day a clear shape.
The tour is less suitable if you need a private schedule, dislike group outings, or want long, relaxed stays at one site. The maximum of 30 people matters here. It is also not intended for cruise ship passengers, whose arrival and departure times may not match the standard program.
You should have moderate physical fitness. The day involves boat boarding, water access, swimming or snorkeling, and moving between several sites. Anyone concerned about equipment should budget for the roughly $25 rental cost and check life vests before departure.
Practical planning for the morning
Book ahead if your dates are fixed. This experience is commonly reserved well in advance, with an average booking time of about 41 days. That does not guarantee every date will sell out, but it is a useful signal for planning during a busy period.
The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum group size is not reached.
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 am start. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, so check the local cutoff time carefully.
The overall rating is 4.3 from 10 reviews, which suggests a generally positive experience but not a flawless one. The strongest praise centers on the snorkeling spots, coral reefs, lagoons, lunch, and helpful boat crew. The practical caution is simple: inspect your life vest and confirm your equipment costs.
Should you book Coron Tour B?
Book it if Skeleton Wreck and Barracuda Lake are high on your Coron list, and you want Twin Lagoon, Smith Beach, Reef Garden, lunch, and entrance fees bundled into one day. At $32 before equipment rental, the value is solid.
Skip it in favor of a private outing if you are arriving by cruise ship, need a tightly controlled schedule, or dislike a boat that may carry up to 30 people. For most people staying in Coron Town with a full day available, Tour B is a practical way to see several signature sites without spending private-tour prices.
FAQ
How long does Coron Tour B last?
The tour lasts approximately six to eight hours and starts at 9:00 am.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at Lualhati Park in Coron Town Proper and ends back at the meeting point.
What stops are included?
The route includes Barracuda Lake, Smith Beach, Skeleton Wreck, Twin Lagoon, and Reef Garden.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included and is prepared by the boat crew at one of the stops.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
No. Snorkel gear and kayak rental cost about US$25.
Can cruise ship passengers take this tour?
No. The standard tour is not intended for cruise ship passengers because their arrival and departure schedules may not match the tour. A private tour is suggested for that situation.
Just added around the Philippines
- Moalboal Island Hopping (Pescador Island, Sardines and Turtles)★ 3.0 · 2 reviews
- Cebu Private Tour 3 Islands Hopping Gilutungan Caohagan Nalusuan★ 4.5 · 3 reviews
- Private Island Hopping in Nasuluan, Hiltotongan and Caohngan★ 3.5 · 4 reviews
- Island Hopping | Bantayan Island – Virgin Island★ 4.0 · 3 reviews
- Island Hopping | Bantayan Island – Malapascua – Kalanggaman Island★ 5.0 · 2 reviews
- Coron Island Hopping Tour: via Private Yacht★ 4.0 · 5 reviews
- Coron Island Hopping Tour: via Private Speedboat★ 4.5 · 15 reviews
- Coron Island Hopping Tour A (Private Tour)★ 5.0 · 2 reviews
Philippines Island Hopping Tours, compared.

El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: Hidden Beaches & Shrine
Read our review →
Island and Beach-Hopping Boat Tour with Snorkeling
Read our review →
Puerto Princesa: Honda Bay Island Hopping & Optional Massage
Read our review →
El Nido to Coron: 3-Day 2-Night Island-Hopping Expedition
Read our review →
Port Barton: Island Hopping to Turtle Spot & Reef with Lunch
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in



