Coron, Palawan is a scenic island destination located just north of the more famous El Nido, and a lot of tourists nowadays like to visit both places on the same trip.
In the old days, there was no easy way to travel from El Nido to Coron or vice versa. They weren’t linked to each other by flights or fast ferries, so you had to fly out to Manila or Cebu and then fly back in, which was an expensive hassle.
Thankfully, that’s all changed since 2020! There are new flights and fast ferries linking the two places in the Philippines, and this mini guide will explain how you can use them!
How To Book The Ferry From El Nido To Coron
There are now multiple companies running ferries between Coron and El Nido.
For fast ferries, you can choose between Jomalia Shipping or Montenegro Shipping Lines. Either of these take approximately 3.5 hours to cross between El Nido and Coron, or vice versa. You can check the prices, schedules, and make a booking here.
We used Montenegro and everything went smoothly. Our experience with the ferry was great. It was very comfortable and safe, although the air conditioning was too cold, so you might want to wear a hoodie.
The third option is a slow ferry with Atienza Shipping Lines. This one takes about 5 hours, and the price is basically identical to the fast ferries, so I don’t see much point in using it unless the others are sold out. You can make a booking here.
Regardless of which ferry company you choose, an advance booking is a good idea since the boats are getting pretty popular with tourists.
Fast ferry
Seats
Luggage Rules
The ferry companies in Palawan are pretty relaxed about luggage.
Montenegro officially allows 2 pieces of luggage per person, although in our experience they let us take more without paying anything extra. I suspect Jomalia is similarly loose. Atienza has a total limit of 25 kilograms per person.
I doubt any of these companies will give you a hard time about your luggage unless you grossly exceed the limits.
Direct Flights From El Nido To Coron
Occasionally there’s some potential for the ferries to be canceled if there are storms or big waves, in which case you may want to consider flying instead.
In 2019, AirSWIFT started doing direct flights from El Nido airport to Coron and vice versa. You can shop for flights at Skyscanner.
The flight from El Nido (ENI) to Coron Busuanga (USU) is 40 minutes and costs about 4,000 Pesos (~$75 USD).
This is the most reliable option for going between the two places. Flights are much less likely to be canceled than the ferries.
Shop Now: Palawan flights
El Nido from above
Multi-Day Trips Between El Nido & Coron
If you have time, another very interesting way to explore Palawan is with a multi-day sailing trip that lasts up to 4 days and 3 nights, taking you all the way from El Nido to Coron, or vice versa, while seeing some of the islands in between.
This can be a great way to go island hopping in paradise without the crowds and time constraints of a simple day tour, and you get to see a lot of nice new islands that are off the beaten path and not included on the main day tours. It’s also a fun way to meet other travelers.
There are several companies offering multi-day trips in Palawan, but one of the highest rated is Big Dream Boat Man. They’re based in Coron, but they also have sailing expeditions that start from El Nido!
Book Now: El Nido / Coron Palawan Sailing Expeditions
More Palawan Travel Tips
I hope this guide was helpful for planning your El Nido trip. Looking for more information on Palawan island in the Philippines?
Don’t forget to check out my full El Nido Travel Guide with free tips, photos, and more!
Where To Stay In El Nido
See Also
- El Nido Palawan Island Hopping Guide
- Coron Palawan Island Hopping Guide
- Coron vs El Nido - Which Is Better?
- My Philippines Travel Guide – Tips, Info & Photos