Coron (Palawan)

Coron Easy Diving

Coron Easy Diving is situated in Coron Bay and offers daily boat dives as well as PADI courses. Night dives are available on request. These are usually included at the end of a day trip or combined with a trip to Barracuda Lake.

The Wrecks of Coron are recognised as one of the best wreck diving destinations in the world. There are 11 recognised WWII wreck dive sites within a short boat ride of Coron, many of them only an hour from the dive base. The Wrecks of Coron comprise eight major wrecks and three minor wrecks. Most are about 14 nautical miles from Coron Town.  

Divers can enjoy wreck diving, coral gardens, wall diving, night diving, cavern, and cave diving, all accessible from the Coron Easy Diving base.

Packages of 2–3 tank dives are normally offered every day on speedboats taking 6–8 divers. The boats are covered, and entry is a back roll, with ladders to exit the water. Transfers to the Dive Centre are included. Snacks are provided as is lunch on longer day trips. All boats are equipped with a marine radio and mobile phone, plus medical oxygen and first aid kits. Drop tanks at five metres are used on wreck dives below 20 metres.

Facilities at the dive centre include a large storage room and drying area, an outdoor shower and a toilet. Relax in the lounge area overlooking Coron Bay with your cool drink each day on return from diving. They are the only dive shop in the area with their own pier and speedboats. In addition, the Dive Centre offers Stand-Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) and kayak rental, plus guided tours through the mangroves.

Dive Packs

We recommend that you book your dive packs with Regaldive prior to departure, to secure your diving or course and so that the dive centre is expecting you. Options available include four and six days diving packages (with two or three dives per day). Coron Wrecks Sanctuary Fees are included. All other entry fees are charged locally (see Extras In Resort for further information). Please discuss your requirements with the Regaldive team, who will prepare a quotation suited to your needs.

Note: All divers must dive with a computer.

Dive Courses

A range of diving courses are available for those looking to learn to dive or further their education. Please enquire for details.

Extras in Resort

Prices listed below are an indication only and are subject to change.

• Nitrox (recommended for some sites)
• Lunch: Included on 3-tank full day trips only. Other days at own expense.
• Marine Park and Sanctuary Fees (incl. Barracuda Lake, Siete Pecados, Skeleton Lake, Twin Peaks, excl. Coron Wrecks, paid locally and subject to change)
• Fuel surcharges to Sangat Island wrecks to Akitsushima and Okikawa wrecks
• Apo Reef:  This is not normally part of the package. Special trips can be organised on a request basis, but are not guaranteed
• Dive equipment rental: Full equipment is available to hire, including dive computer, regulators, wetsuit, torch

NB. Coron Wrecks Sanctuary Fees are included in your dive pack.

The Philippines is an island nation located in South East Asia with Manila as its capital city. The Philippine archipelago comprises 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. These islands are home to spectacular scenery, pristine beaches, incredible sights and lively cities. Dramatic drop offs, wrecks, caves and a richly varied marine life also guarantee fabulous diving. Combined with the renowned Philippine hospitality and warmth, an unforgettable dive holiday awaits.

You will find a true blend of cultures; the people are generally of Malay descent, but Philippine history has introduced Chinese, Spanish and American elements as well. The Philippines is a predominantly Christian country where eight out of ten Filipinos are practising Catholics. Filipino hospitality is legendary and the Philippines is the fiesta nation of Asia. Fiestas celebrate harvests, births and victories, as well as religious events. The Filipinos like to party and celebrations are found in every ethnic group and may be large regional events or small local happenings.

Resorts have been hand-picked, not only for their comfort and surrounding scenery but most importantly, for their proximity to incredible dives sites. Whilst out of the water guests can relax on some of the best beaches in the world, enjoy the local markets, festivals and sights or even spend a night in the exciting and bustling Manila or more laid back Cebu.

As the Philippines is a strong Catholic nation, festive holidays such as Easter are very busy. Either book well in advance, or avoid the main religious holiday periods where possible.

Climate

The climate of The Philippines can broadly be described as hot and tropical. Most people visit The Philippines during the dry season. However, many regular visitors attest that the best time to visit is during the wet season and that the proliferation and variety of marine life is the best in June, July and August.

Dry season: December to May
Wet season: June to November

During the dry season, easterly winds prevail and air temperature is in high 20s to mid-30s°C. February to May are generally the hottest. Wet season winds are from the west, with air temperature in mid to high 20s°C. You can often strike lucky and have weeks of brilliant blue skies and unlimited sunshine. On the other hand, the rains, when they come, are impressive and prolonged. There are few rivers, so run off and its effect on water visibility is not generally a problem.

Please note that the Philippines is a large country and has many climatic variations from east to west and south to north.

Best underwater visibility: April to July
Water temperature average: 24-30°C

Time

8 hours ahead of GMT.

Language

Filipino is officially the national language of The Philippines. This language is based on Tagalog which is the most widely used of the 70 plus dialects used within the country. English is also prevalent throughout the country, especially in tourist destinations. English is also widely used as the medium for education, communication and business. Eight major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Philippine Peso (PHP). The US dollar is the most widely recognised foreign currency. Euros & GBP are also readily exchanged.

The majority of larger towns have ATMs, however, facilities for money withdrawal or changing are far less widespread away from the main centres of population. There are bank machines at the airport.

Tipping

Tipping is expected for many services. The standard is 10% of the total bill or optional where there is a 10% service charge.

Flight Information

Regaldive can offer packages to the Philippines on a number of different airlines.

London - Manila: Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines and KLM all fly daily via their national hubs.

London - Cebu: Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Emirates fly regularly via their national hubs.

Carry-On Luggage Restriction: 

Philippines Office for Transportation Security has issued new rules that include 'Scuba Diving Equipment' (including regulators) on the list of blunt instruments that are not to be in carry-on/cabin baggage on flights originating within the Philippines. Please ensure that all scuba equipment is secured within checked-in baggage on all domestic flights and on all departing international flights.

Internal flights:
Manila - Cebu
Manila - Busuanga
Cebu - Busuanga
Manila - Dumaguete

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.