From Coron: Private Island-Hopping Cruise with Lunch

Malcapuya, Bulog Dos, and Banana Island give you the best reason to leave Coron Town for a full day: soft white beaches and clear, shallow water spread across three very different island stops. The private boat keeps the day more personal, and the long ride is part of the appeal, with wide ocean views between the islands.

I like the included picnic lunch, fruit, and drinking water, since an eight-hour boat day works better when food is already sorted. I also like the chance to swim from shore toward coral and see fish without needing to be an expert swimmer, though this trip is not suitable for non-swimmers and the snorkeling gear costs extra.

One important caution: confirm your route with CTPH TOUR before departure. A serious booking problem was reported in January 2025, when a guest said the promised island trip was replaced by a shorter outing near Coron Port. Most recently, Eric and his skipper received strong praise for their service, but the route matters enough to check twice.

Key points at a glance

• Three island stops: Malcapuya, Bulog Dos, and Banana Island each offer a different mix of beach, reef, shallow water, and sandbar views.
• Private boat day: You travel as a private group with an English-speaking guide rather than joining a large shared boat.
• Eight hours on the water: The islands are farther from Coron, so you trade extra sailing time for a quieter, more scenic route.
• Lunch is included: Expect a picnic meal with seasonal fruit, plus drinking water.
• Coral is close to shore: Malcapuya and Banana Island offer easy access to clear water and nearby marine life.
• Budget for extras: The environmental fee is not included, and kayak and snorkeling gear are available to rent separately.

Why this longer Coron boat trip is worth considering

Many Coron excursions focus on famous lagoons and rock formations close to town. This trip takes a different approach. It sends you across open water to three beach islands, where the main attractions are sand, sea, coral, and time outdoors.

That choice matters. You are not paying for a packed list of short photo stops. You are paying for a full day built around open beaches and swimming. The tradeoff is simple: more time in the boat, less time rushing from one attraction to the next.

At $120 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Coron. But the price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a private boat, a licensed guide, lunch, drinking water, life vest, permits, entrance fees, and government taxes. If your group values privacy and wants these three islands in one outing, the cost can make sense.

You still need to pay the environmental fee. Snorkeling equipment and kayaks are also extra, so ask about the total cost before you set off. If you already have your own mask and snorkel, bring them if permitted, since the included package does not cover this gear.

Leaving Coron for the Palawan islands

The day begins with hotel pickup in Coron and a boat trip toward the island chain. Exact departure times depend on availability, so you should check the start time before booking your day around it.

The first thing to understand is the scale of the outing. An eight-hour tour includes transport over open water, several island visits, lunch, swimming, and time to look around. It is a full day, not a quick morning cruise.

That length suits you if you want one major sea day and prefer not to plan several smaller activities. It may feel less appealing if you dislike boat rides or want a schedule packed with landmarks every hour. The islands are attractive because they feel less built up, and reaching them takes time.

The boat comes with life vests, and a licensed English-speaking guide accompanies the private group. Recent service details point to Eric as one guide who handled the day well, working with his skipper to keep the trip running smoothly. Guide assignments can change, so do not assume Eric will be leading your departure, but his name is useful when confirming the booking.

Malcapuya and its shallow southern beach

Malcapuya is presented as the standout island of the day, and it is easy to understand why. Its southern beach has pale sand and shallow turquoise water, creating the classic tropical scene people hope to find around Palawan.

I like this stop for its simple rhythm. You can step onto the beach, settle into the sand, swim in calm-looking shallows, and let the island do the work. There is no need for a complicated activity plan.

The water also gives you an option beyond beach lounging. Swim past the seagrass and you may reach colorful coral. That makes Malcapuya more than a photo stop, but you need to be realistic about your swimming ability. The trip is specifically not suitable for non-swimmers, and conditions can affect how comfortable a coral swim feels.

Bring sun protection and use the beach time wisely. The supplied details do not promise shade, changing rooms, or a particular beach facility, so you should not count on resort-style comforts. This is best treated as a natural island stop, with the boat and lunch providing the practical support.

Malcapuya is likely to be the place where you spend the most time simply looking around. Its southern beach offers the broadest combination of sand, shallow water, and easy swimming described for the tour.

Banana Island, clear water, and shore reef

Banana Island has a curved beach made of fine, powdery sand. Its shape gives the stop a different feel from Malcapuya, even though both offer the same basic pleasures: a clean beach, blue water, and time to swim.

The coral reef just offshore is the key reason to bring or rent snorkeling equipment. You can look toward the reef from the clear water and see marine life in the area. The information provided does not promise a specific fish species or guarantee perfect visibility, so treat the reef as an opportunity rather than a fixed underwater show.

This is also a good place to judge what kind of beach day you prefer. If you like swimming a short distance from shore and then returning to the sand, Banana Island should suit you. If you want a full guided marine ecology session with specialist equipment included, this package is more basic.

Kayaks are available for rent, but they are not part of the $120 price. Ask the guide or operator about availability and cost on the day. The same applies to snorkeling gear. You can enjoy the beach without either, but the reef is one of the reasons to consider paying for the equipment.

Bulog Dos and the long sandbar

Bulog Dos brings a more unusual feature: a long, curving sandbar that connects the island area to the Malaroyroy Peninsula. It gives you a chance to see the water from a narrow strip of sand rather than from a regular beach.

Sandbars can change with tides and local conditions, so do not expect the same shape in every photograph. Still, the basic appeal is clear: shallow water on both sides, open views, and a memorable walk if conditions allow.

Bulog Dos is also a place to look beneath the surface. The coral around the island supports marine life, and the clear water makes it suitable for swimming and snorkeling when conditions are right. Again, the trip does not include snorkeling equipment, and non-swimmers should not book it.

This stop may be the most visually distinctive of the three. Malcapuya gives you the classic beach, Banana Island gives you a curved shore and near-beach coral, and Bulog Dos adds the sandbar and reef. Together, they create a fuller day than visiting three similar beaches.

Lunch on the beach, not a restaurant stop

The meal is a picnic lunch with seasonal fruit, served during the island day. Drinking water is included as well, which is a small but useful detail on a sunny boat trip.

The food is practical rather than fancy. One recent meal included noodles, and it was considered good. The menu can change, so do not book this expecting a set restaurant menu or a choice of dishes.

I like the picnic format because it keeps the day moving and lets you eat near the beach rather than lose time traveling to a restaurant. It also means you should tell the operator about dietary needs before the trip if you have them, since no special menu information is provided.

Seasonal fruit is a welcome touch after swimming. Bring any extra snacks only if you think you need them, since the supplied package already includes lunch and water. You may still want a reusable bag for personal items and wet clothing, but the tour details do not specify storage arrangements on the boat.

What the private format changes

A private group can make a real difference on an eight-hour trip. You are not simply following a large crowd from beach to beach. The day is arranged around your group, with a guide and skipper handling the route.

That does not mean you can assume unlimited flexibility. The boat still has to follow local rules, permits, weather conditions, and the practical limits of the day. But a private trip generally gives you a more personal setting than a shared excursion.

The tour includes all permits and entrance fees listed in the package, along with a life vest and government taxes. The environmental fee remains separate, so include it when calculating the real price.

Hotel pickup and drop-off also add value. You do not have to arrange separate transport to the port, though you should still confirm the pickup time and location. A smooth pickup was specifically noted for one recent departure, and that kind of basic organization matters when you are facing a long day at sea.

The main concern: confirm the promised route

The most important negative point is not about the beaches. It is about making sure you actually reach them.

A January 2025 booking resulted in a complaint that the group was taken only to an area opposite Coron Port rather than to the three advertised islands. That is a major issue because Malcapuya, Bulog Dos, and Banana Island are the entire reason to pay for this longer cruise.

I would confirm three things before departure:

• The boat is scheduled for Malcapuya, Bulog Dos, and Banana Island.
• The environmental fee and any other required payment are clear.
• The pickup time, guide name, and boat departure point match your booking.

This does not erase the positive service record from another recent trip, where Eric and his skipper were praised for doing an excellent job and for making the longer journey worthwhile. It simply means you should protect yourself from a route mix-up. Ask direct questions rather than assuming the itinerary will be understood.

The overall rating is 3.8 from three reviews, which is too small a sample for a firm judgment. I would read it as a reason to confirm details carefully, not as proof that the experience is poor.

Who should book this island day

I would recommend this trip to you if you want beaches more than built attractions, enjoy spending a full day on the water, and value a private group. Strong swimmers and confident snorkelers will get the most from the shallow coral areas and Bulog Dos.

It also suits couples, families with capable swimmers, and small groups that would rather have one private boat than share a crowded schedule. The included lunch, transfers, water, permits, and life vest make planning easier.

I would hesitate if you are pregnant, cannot swim, dislike long boat rides, or want snorkeling equipment included in the headline price. I would also choose another option if your main goal is Coron’s lagoons rather than remote beaches.

Should you book the Malcapuya, Bulog Dos, and Banana Island cruise?

Book it if the three island route is confirmed and you want a relaxed private day built around beaches, shallow water, coral, and a picnic lunch. The combination of Malcapuya’s southern beach, Banana Island’s reef, and Bulog Dos’s sandbar gives the day enough variety to justify the boat time.

At $120 per person, the value is strongest for a private group that will use the included transfers, boat, guide, meal, permits, and entrance fees. Add the environmental fee and possible gear rentals before deciding.

My practical call is yes, with one condition: confirm the actual route with CTPH TOUR before you leave Coron. The islands sound well worth the longer ride, but only if the boat really takes you there.

FAQ

How long does the Coron island-hopping trip last?

The experience lasts eight hours, including the boat journey, island visits, lunch, and time for swimming and beach exploration.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Malcapuya, Bulog Dos, and Banana Island.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is arranged for a private group rather than as a shared group outing.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a picnic lunch, seasonal fruit, and drinking water.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear is available to rent, but it is not included in the price.

Is a kayak included?

No. Kayaks are available for rent separately.

Is the environmental fee included?

No. The environmental fee is not included in the listed package.

Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers or pregnant women?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or non-swimmers.