El Nido vs Coron vs Puerto Princesa: Where to Dive in Palawan

Palawan has three names that come up again and again when divers plan a trip: El Nido, Coron and Puerto Princesa. They are all on the same island province, but the diving in each is very different. This guide compares them so you can choose the right base, or combine them.

The quick answer

• Coron is for wreck divers. It has a group of Second World War Japanese shipwrecks in sheltered bays.
• El Nido is for scenery and reefs, with dramatic limestone islands and colourful dives in Bacuit Bay.
• Puerto Princesa is for easy reef diving, learning to dive, and the gateway to Tubbataha, Palawan's most famous offshore reef.

Many divers combine two of them. The rest of this guide explains why.

Coron: Palawan's wreck capital

On 24 September 1944, US Navy aircraft from Task Force 38 attacked a fleet of Japanese ships sheltering around Coron and Busuanga. Many of them sank, and today they form one of the best-known wreck diving areas in Asia.

Most of the wrecks lie between about 14 and 46 metres. A few are suitable for newer divers, but many dives are deeper or involve going inside, so Advanced Open Water and Wreck training are a real advantage. Coron also has a well-known lake dive, Barracuda Lake, famous for its unusual layers of water.

Best for: experienced divers, wreck fans, history lovers. Getting there: Coron has its own airport (Busuanga). It is also linked to El Nido by ferry, a popular route for travellers doing both.

El Nido: limestone islands and reef diving

El Nido, in northern Palawan, is famous for its towering karst islands and lagoons. Underwater, the dive sites of Bacuit Bay offer coral gardens, rocky reefs, turtles and plenty of reef fish. Popular sites include South Miniloc, Dilumacad, North Rock and Nat Nat, depending on the dive centre and the conditions.

Diving here is mostly relaxed reef diving, suitable for all levels. The big draw is the combination of good diving with some of the most beautiful above-water scenery in Southeast Asia.

Best for: mixed groups of divers and non-divers, island hopping, scenery. Getting there: El Nido is about 230 km north of Puerto Princesa, around six hours by van. There is also a small airport with limited flights.

Puerto Princesa: easy diving and the road to Tubbataha

Puerto Princesa, the provincial capital, has the main airport for Palawan and the widest choice of flights. Its local dive area, Honda Bay, is calm and sheltered with shallow reefs, islands and sandbars, making it a good place to learn or to get back into diving after a break.

It is also the departure port for liveaboards to Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Sulu Sea known for sharks, big fish and walls. Tubbataha is only open from about mid March to mid June each year.

Best for: new divers, courses, a relaxed few days of diving, and anyone heading to Tubbataha. Getting there: Puerto Princesa International Airport is 2 to 3 km from the city centre. Flights from Manila take around one and a half hours.

For a full picture of the local diving, read our Puerto Princesa diving guide.

Which is best for beginners?

Puerto Princesa and El Nido both suit beginners. Puerto Princesa's sheltered bay is especially good for courses, and it is easy to reach. Coron's wrecks are rewarding but many are better once you have more experience. If you want to dive the wrecks properly, consider getting your Advanced Open Water certification first.

Which is best for experienced divers?

Coron for wrecks, Tubbataha (from Puerto Princesa) for big animals and walls. El Nido is pleasant but generally gentler.

Can I combine them?

Yes, and many people do. Popular routes include:

• Puerto Princesa to El Nido by road, about six hours.
• El Nido to Coron by ferry.
• Fly into Puerto Princesa, out of Coron (or the other way round), so you do not have to backtrack.

Remember to finish diving well before you fly. The usual guidance is at least 18 hours after several days of diving. A last day of island hopping or sightseeing works well.

Start your Palawan dive trip in Puerto Princesa

If you are flying into Puerto Princesa, it makes sense to start your diving here. Do a refresher or a course in Honda Bay, add Enriched Air (Nitrox) before the wrecks of Coron, or join a Tubbataha trip in season. Contact us with your plans and we will help you put them together.

Cover photo: Island lagoon in Bacuit Bay, Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.