Discovering Palawan’s Calamian Islands

journalists from different newspapers including this writer were Glenn K. Lamela, marketing & sales manager of Seair and Jing Jing Romero of Stratos.

From the domestic airport it took us almost one hour on board the Let410 aircraft to get to Busuanga airport. Busuanga is the largest island in the Calamian Group, which lies off the northern tip of mainland Palawan.The other two main islands are Coron and Culion, but there are hundreds of other small islands in the area that you can explore by boat.

From the airport, we went directly to the pier for our boat ride to Coral Bay Resort. We were met by the locals headed by Robert Agosto; Mary Ann Coabas; boat crews Nelson Ubale, Raul Pascual, Raffy Solic; and Rene Edonggo, chief cook.

Agosto and Coabas assisted us in everything we needed during our stay there. Agosto was our tour guide, our server and dance instructor (DI) all in one during our night out in the resort.

Coral Bay Resort is a marine conservation area. Home to luxuriant mangroves, lush and brightly colored coral reefs, and more than 100 species of fish, this resort in Popototan island offers tourists the peace and serenity of an island hideaway.

Its front bay even serves as feeding ground for sea cows (dugong) and is an ideal place for kayaking and snorkeling. Families may also have their little bonding by fishing in the resort’s pier or in its Tilapia Pond.

The first day, we went for a Calauit tour. Calauit was designed as a wild animal park where giraffes, zebras, elands, impalas and a few other African wildlife have thrived since the first group was shipped here in the mid-1970s.

From the Coral Bay Resort we went to Dive Link Resort. We passed by cottages in bright blues, canary yellows, and poppy-red accents. The resort has a veranda where you get a sweeping view of the island, the sea, bancas passing by, and the changing colors of the sky.

Dive Link is a mecca for divers. The presence of Japanese World War II wrecks in the bays near Coron has led to an increase in the number of scuba divers making a pilgrimage to the area.

Energetic tourists will enjoy inland activities such as trekking in Mt. Tapyas or exploring Mabitangen Forest Park. For the weary traveler, the ideal place to go is the Makinit Hot Springs, which is 20 minutes away from Coron town via a tricycle. Here, one can savor the therapeutic experience of soaking in the springs’ hot and salty waters.

What other places to see? Hop to nearby Coron town and you get an amazing eyeful of limestone walls surrounding blue lagoons. When you get near these cliffs, you can see that they have dozens of perfect little coves, hidden in the folds of the mountains.

The island is home to seven lakes including Barracuda Lake and Cayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake lies behind an array of limestone walls. The giant barracuda was last sighted too many years ago for anyone’s accurate recollection.

The volcanic Cayangan Lake is recognized for three consecutive years as the cleanest lake in the Philippines. A 20-minutes ride by boat from the town of Coron, it is an ideal destination for hale and hearty travelers who won’t mind the 15-minute trek up the hill.

One of Coron Island’s white sand beaches is Banol Beach, where one can do some swimming and snorkeling and even a little fishing afterwards. Another place to go is tiny Cagbatan Island, better known as Coron Youth Club (CYC). This white sand beach with its clear waters is also ideal for swimming, snorkeling and day camping.

You can also be enchanted with Siete Pecados – seven islets string on the waters between Busuanga Island and Coron Island. From the boat, one can already get a stunning view of beautiful coral gardens.

After a day of island hopping and sight-seeing, every tourists in Busuanga needs a place where he or she can unwind, relax and get a good night’s sleep to prepare for next day’s adventure. If you’re the kind of person who lives to have a little night life while vacationing in the Calamianes, some of the lodges you can call include Bayside Divers Lodge, Coron Reef Pension House, Darayonan Lodge and L&M Pe Sea Lodge and Restaurant.

At night, you can go around town and try the different bars and restaurants such as Banaue Café, Ian’s Deli and Old House which are accessible by foot or by a short tricycle ride.