3-Day Circumnavigation of Coron Island by Kayak

Location: Coron Island, Busuanga, Philippines
GPS waypoint: 11°55'43.8"N 120°14'21.5"E

Wanna Come?
It was daunting when Outback Greg tagged me to come along in taking a Dutch couple to a 3-day kayaking expedition around Coron Island. I am not a skilled kayaker and this expedition group is highly skilled - including Bobby, the tour guide. It was a tall order I couldn't say 'no' to - some things are simply too good to pass-off.

Boat-Supported Expedition
It was originally designed to be an unsupported expedition - the kayakers will be self-contained, equipped with their own hammocks, food and water as provided by the tour guide, who is also on his kayak. But the 6-foot angry swells on the southern tip of Coron Island could leave even the experienced kayaker out of his comfort zone. Cautioning on the safety side, a fully manned support boat shadowed us.

Beach Camping
Aside from the adrenaline, beach camping was a highlight. We pitched tents with air mattresses and proper beddings. Dinner was served by Bobby and the boat crew - usually grilled big fish. We would eat under the stars and have the soothing waves and gekko calls for music backdrop.

getting just enough clearance to enter the Secret Lagoon, accessible only on low tide

Spinning My Wheels
Early on, I already realized I would have to paddle the hardest just to keep up. While the group motions into steady fluid cadence as they sliced through the water, I was frantically using might and power to inch forward - the technique wasn't there. Mind you, I was using the fastest kayak already, albeit the least steady one - I could tip over on the slightest swell. How long can I keep this up before fatigue sets in? These were my troubled thoughts the entire time. Keeping pace is one thing, balance is another. On another occassion, the swells were high and I could barely keep my balance. Outback Greg yells if I was still good. I asked if it would be this rough the entire time. He said, "it gets worse!" and with that, he gestured me to go back to the boat with him. We would be on the boat until after the bigger swells on the southern tip of Coron Island. I'm glad he gave me a fig leaf otherwise I would have dared that section.

Callis Point
Nearing Callis Point, the southern tip of Coron Island, the swells got bigger and nastier. Even though they weren't breaking, they were cresting up to 6 feet. When the boat captain mis-time the motor and a big swell hits the boat, it felt like it would shatter. On the boat, we were jarred and banged-up. It felt nerve racking, I decided to put the dive mask around my neck - just in case. I realized why Greg pulled me out of the water early on. I would definitely capsize under the turbulence - and rescue in that condition would have been very difficult.

Bobby together with the Dutch guests rode the swells like gangbusters! They were so skilled that they later said they were glad to be on the kayak than on the boat on those angry swells.

Calm Waters Again
As soon as we came around the bend, the water was placid again. That's the time I joined the crew on the kayak. I would be with them all the way to Secret Lagoon where Greg and I boarded the boat again on the way back to Coron and eventually, SandCastles.

Ending Thoughts
Tribal Adventures' 3-day kayaking expedition around Coron Island entailed beach camping, low-tide entry to limestone lagoons, snorkeling on coral reef and paddling on angry swells - an adrenaline adventure package for the intrepid soul. For the novice, it can be a boat-supported expedition on more placid waters. In this expedition, itineraries can change depending on "what's more exciting" at the moment - it could be beaching the kayaks and spelunk a limestone outcropping to view an inland lake or a cave. It could also be parking the kayaks to snorkel a tempting coral reef. The spontaneity of the moment becomes its own excitement. The overall experience is primal with the right amount of adrenaline to make it memorable and exciting but within safe limits.

Having the option to tailor-fit an adventure package suited to your preference and skill level in a Robinson Crusoe format takes it a notch higher compared to the standard joiner-type party boats with cookie-cutter templates. Tribal Adventures spans a broad spectrum in comfort offerings - from fine-dining dinners with cathedral-like tents in the wild to castaway survivor-type island escapes. Your derring-do is your own limit.

--- TheLoneRider

Next stop: back to lazy beach life at Palawan SandCastles

ps - having realized how much I didn't know, I researched on YouTube how to paddle on a kayak. Only then did I understand the many things I was doing wrong.

Tribal Adventures Palawan

expedition | island tours | kayaking
Coron, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines
tribaladventures@gmail.com
(63) 998 999 3049

Palawan SandCastles

beach house | cabanas | pavillon huts
Coron, Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines
palawansandcastles@gmail.com
(63) 998 999 3049

Google Map > Busuanga

Busuanga, Palawan, Philippines

tourist attractions

• Maquinit Hot Springs - salt-water hot spring, P200/person
• Calauit Safari - free-range African wildlife
• Kayangan Lake - one of the cleanest lake in the country, scenic view
• Barracuda Lake - thermocline, cave diving, scuba diving
• Twin Lagoon - two lagoons, an outer and an inner one, where you swim through a cavelike entrance

hotel, beach house and accommodation

• Palawan SandCastles - beach house, house reef, rustic beach environment away from Coron Town
  Cheey, Busuanga
  0998 999 3049 | 12°14'00.7"N 120°02'19.1"E
• Expeditions BnB - grand opening, all new, Coron Town location, roofdeck, sea/mountain view from room
  11 San Agustin St Bgy 3 Coron Palawan
  0919.992.6766 | °11°59'54.4"N 120°12'13.4"E

tour and expedition

• Tribal Adventures Tours - multi-day kayak expedition, day tours, island tours, mountain biking, snorkeling, hiking
  +63 998.999.3049 | tribaladventures@gmail.com
• Calamianes Expeditions & Ecotours - island tours, community based ecotourism experience
  +639193054363 / +639202546553 / +63 9152543246 / 02 984 7795 | corongaleri@yahoo.com

Great Things Going for Busuanga

• beaches, islands, snorkeling, scuba diving, wreck diving
• you want to add some more? please submit on the form below

Not So Great Things Going Against Busuanga

• slow and unreliable internet

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