El Nido to Coron by ferry, Philippines: how it works
The El Nido to Coron ferry takes 4 to 5 hours. What the journey is like, when to book, what to bring and how to handle delays.
Moving between islands is the key to a Philippines trip, and the stretch from El Nido to Coron is one that raises a lot of questions. It's a long journey, but also one of the most special of the trip. Here's how it works.
The journey
From your hotel you go to the port, take the ferry, which takes between 4 and 5 hours, and when you arrive in Coron a tuk tuk takes you to your hotel. Far from being a chore, the trip becomes an experience in itself: open sea, islands on the horizon and that moment of transition between two of the most incredible places on the route.
Ferry or plane
You have both options. The ferry is the most common way to link the two destinations and the one we use on our route. A flight saves time, but domestic flights also run late, and it's always worth leaving a margin between connections.
When to book
If you travel in high season, book the ferry a couple of days in advance. The seats on the Coron to El Nido route sell out faster than you'd think. For buying domestic flights and ferries, one of the most practical apps is 12Go.
Seasickness and comfort
On open sea you feel the swell a lot more than on the short island-hopping trips. If you get seasick easily, take a motion sickness pill a little while before boarding.
A "4 to 5 hour" ferry can turn into longer. Build your itinerary with a buffer, not right at the limit.
The return journey
Our route does the reverse from Coron: hotel to the port, a 4 to 5 hour ferry to El Nido and a tricycle to the hotel. On arrival you'll notice El Nido has more atmosphere and more going on than Coron, so the best thing is to relax on Las Cabañas Beach and enjoy the sunset.
Our recommendation
Book ahead in high season, carry cash (many places in El Nido and Coron don't take cards or have no ATMs nearby), and don't plan anything important for the same day. You'll find it all organized in our 14-day Philippines itinerary, and in getting around the islands in the Philippines we talk about what nobody tells you about transfers.
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