[2023 GUIDE] Barracuda Lake in Coron – Palawan

Barracuda Lake is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Coron and is famous for diving spots in Palawan and the Philippines. 

It was only a few years ago when Coron came into prominence after well-known international travel magazines ranked Palawan as the world’s most beautiful island. I remember visiting Coron for the first time in 2013, where hardly anything was on the island. Since then, you can see the development of the island’s tourism infrastructure compared to what it was before it was named the world’s most beautiful island. 

The raw beauty of Barracuda Lake is the reason why millions of travelers flock to Coron every year. Barracuda Lake, along with Kayangan Lake, is said to be the ‘cleanest lake in the Philippines,’ which is apparent when you arrive there. 

The sights the moment you arrive in Barracuda Lake is something you’d expect to see from another planet. Below the surface are these jagged limestone rocks that every diver would want to explore. Even if you are not a diver, you can still appreciate Barracuda Lake’s beauty by snorkeling around it (and don’t worry, there are no sharks in Barracuda Lake!) 

It is also worth noting that Barracuda Lake is a combination of 70% freshwater and 30% saltwater, which is essential for two different reasons. The first reason is the majority of the water is freshwater, which is slightly challenging to rise to the surface because you are less buoyant.

The second reason is you will immediately see a shift in temperature once you get to a certain level underneath the surface. It is said that the temperature on the surface is around 82 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the temperature increases past 100 degrees when you reach 40 to 50 feet below the surface. 

Where is Barracuda Lake

Barracuda Lake is located on Coron Island; a 20-minute boat ride away from Coron Town, which is part of Busuanga Island. 

It can get somewhat confusing – but all you need to know is that you will be staying in Coron Town and taking a boat to Barracuda Lake to explore. You can take a look below the map where Barracuda Lake is located in relation to Coron Town. 

How to Get to Barracuda Lake from Coron Town

The fastest way to get to Barracuda Lake from Coron town is by renting a boat or joining an island hopping tour. 

Coron town is where most of the tourists stay when visiting Barracuda Lake. It’s where many of the accommodations, restaurants, and tour agencies are located. 

Many of these tour agencies organize your trip to Barracuda Lake. Let’s take a look at a few options below:

Coron Tour B

Highlights:

• Swim in Barracuda Lake, a scenic lake surrounded by limestone cliffs located at the north end of Coron Island
• Enjoy a tasty picnic lunch at the beautiful Banol Beach, a short stretch of white sand beach with pristine waters
• Snorkel atop the Skeleton Wreck, a sunken fishing boat, and enjoy swimming with the colorful fishes
• Visit the iconic Twin Lagoon, two saltwater lakes separated by a narrow opening, which invites travelers to cross through for an unforgettable tunnel experience
• A convenient pickup from downtown Coron will take you safely to the start of your adventure!

Another option to get to Barracuda Lake from Coron Town would be to hire a private tour. It’s a little bit more expensive, but you get to dictate how long you want to stay in Barracuda Lake. 

Other Essential Tips For Barracuda lake

1. Avoid The Crowds

We mentioned earlier in the post that it can get rather crowded in Barracuda Lake, most notably during peak seasons. 

Many of the boat tours leave the port of Coron around 9 a.m., and many choose to visit Barracuda Lake as the first stop on their itinerary. If you want to avoid the crowd, you can book a private boat tour and request to leave a little bit earlier so you can enjoy snorkeling and diving in the lake with a bit more privacy. 

In short, try to get to Barracuda Lake at or before 9 a.m, which means your boat would need to leave Coron Town a little bit earlier than the rest!

2. Entrance Fee at Barracuda Lake

Entrance fees are standard in Coron (to be fair, most of Palawan), especially when doing island hopping activities. It’s a fee used by the tourism government to help Coron keep up with its tourism infrastructure.

For the most part, the entrance fee at Barracuda Lake is almost certainly taken care of by your tour operator, which cost roughly 300 Pesos.

Where to Stay in Coron town

Although Coron doesn’t have the same number of selection of luxury hotels and resorts and other accommodations as El Nido, there are still a few standouts to keep in mind when planning your trip to Barracuda Lake. 

Let’s take a look at a few Coron accommodations below:

WHERE TO STAY IN CORON #1: CLUB PARADISE (LUXURY RESORT)

What guests are saying on booking.com

The location is stunning, with an island rimmed with white beaches. You will feel isolated yet wholly taken care of, with the amenities of home. We were welcomed with a Club Paradise theme song played by the band, an introduction to the manager, and a foot bath. The island has a lovely pool and serves delicious food. 

>> Click here for Rates & Availability

WHERE TO STAY IN CORON #2: CORON SOLEIL GARDEN RESORT (MID RANGE)

What guests are saying on booking.com

A beautiful property and far better than anything else I’ve stayed at or seen in Coron. The room was very spacious, comfortable, and clean. The property was very well maintained. I ate in the restaurant once, and it was delicious! The pool is beautiful, especially at night. The service is exceptional, and the staff was very accommodating in assisting my late arrival and transfer to my next hotel. For people who complain that it is slightly out of Coron town: trust me, that’s a good thing! It’s much more peaceful here than at any of the other hotels right in town. I wish I could have stayed longer!

>> Click here for Rates & Availability

WHERE TO STAY IN CORON #3: HOP HOSTEL (BUDGET)

What guests are saying on booking.com

Everything was terrific at this hostel! It’s gorgeous, they serve delicious food, and the staff is kind and FUN so special thanks to them as they were the big bonus to my stay! They took us on a super lovely boat trip all day and organized a lot of other activities every great day! The hostel has a fantastic rooftop terrace where you have magic views. The rooms are spacious, clean, and the beds super comfortable. If I have the chance to go to Coron again, I will stay here!!!

>> Click here for Rates & Availability