A GUIDE TO BLACK ISLAND IN CORON, Philippines

Black Island in Coron, otherwise know as Malajon Island, is one of the most beautiful islands in the Palawan archipelago. It’s also quite tricky to reach from Coron Town, therefore unlike other nearby islands, is rarely frequented by tourists. In this guide, we give the full low down on what to expect so that you too can experience the paradise that is Black Island in Coron.

If you’re looking for a unique experience in Coron. Something that doesn’t appear on the standard island hopping tours. Then a trip to Black Island should be at the top of your list of things to do in Coron.

Black Island is so pristine and virtually untouched that we were in two minds whether to tell anybody about it. But we trust you will respect the island, so here we are. Black Island has a slice of everything. Perfect beaches for sunbathing, a huge reef for snorkelling, and secluded caves for adventures.

Are you ready to explore Black Island in Coron, Palawan? Let’s get to it then!

Heading to Coron? Check out the rest of our Coron series to help plan your trip:

A Guide to Black Island in Coron

*Before You Travel to Coron, have you got your travel insurance sorted? Cover yourself for the unexpected, read why you really need travel insurance or get a quote from World Nomads.

*Have you got your travel Visa sorted? Check if you need one here and retrieve a quote. It’s simple, fast and reliable.

*Don’t leave home without any backpacker essentials with our free printable packing list.

Black Island Coron — Black Island by Dario Oz

Approaching Black Island in Coron

One of the advantages of slow long term travel is that you can really take your time to get to know a place. I don’t just mean the local attractions, but the culture and the people too. It was these invaluable connections that lead us to learn about Coron’s Black Island from a local.

After hearing of the unspoiled beauty of Black Island, we made it our mission to see it for ourselves. We knew it wasn’t going to be a straightforward journey; however, this only made us want to go even more. They say the difficult roads lead to the most beautiful destinations, and on this occasion, it turned out to be true.

As we approached via boat, it was impossible to mistake Black Island amid the archipelago. While the surrounding islands are verdant and green, Black Island boasts tremendous black cliffs that feel dramatic and almost threatening.

Next to catch our eye was the sheer clarity of the dazzling turquoise waters. Like looking through the window of an aquarium, the abundance of flourishing coral & marine life depicted a whole other world just metres below. By this point, we had to pinch ourselves to check that we weren’t dreaming.

BLACK ISLAND IN CORON, PHILIPPINES — Arriving at Black Island in Coron

What to Expect on Black Island Coron

Once settled on the island, we allowed the pristine white sand to sink between our toes. Joined by some friends, we sipped on rum & coconuts while we sat in awe of natures beauty. Half a dozen or so huts line the main strip of the beach, which are perfect for chilling under when you need to take a break.

There were perhaps a dozen other people on the island when we were there. It was the closest things to a remote island in Coron that we got to experience. Island hopping tours in Coron are getting more & more popular, but for now, Black Island cannot be reached by any organised tour.

After some time, we head off to explore some the island. Thankfully we had rented snorkelling equipment as the snorkelling conditions were phenomenal. We found flourishing coral reefs, a diversity of marine life, and even a small shipwreck just metres out from the bay.

If you’re a strong swimmer, there’s a lot to explore on Black Island. Our guide told us that you could swim to other beaches around the island, but I’d only attempt this if you’re confident you can do so. Other beaches are accessible via the caves which I lead onto next.

Just when we thought the island couldn’t possibly get any better, we discovered a series of mysterious caves hidden within the towering cliffs. Inside them were insane rock formations and crystalised swimming holes where we could cliff jump. It was eerie yet exhilarating jumping into the depths of the unknown waters.

Honestly, Black Island in Coron is one of our favourite memories of all our time in the Philippines. It’s unclear how much longer it will stay a secret, so to experience it at it’s best, the time to go is now!

Caves on Black Island by Rachel Alfafara

Getting to Black Island in Coron

First I’ll explain the cheapest way to get from Coron town to Black Island.

From the boat port in Coron Town (located next to the public market), take the local minivan marked ‘Salvacion’. The mini-van tends to run every hour, on the hour from 8 am to 3 pm. The price is 150PHP/pax and the journey is 1.5 hours. Make sure to check the time of the last return bus if you plan to head back to Coron Town on the same day. It’s usually around 4 or 5 pm.

When you arrive at Salvacion Station, use google maps or ask for directions to ‘Kings Lodging Guesthouse‘. It is no longer than a 5-minute walk from the station. When you arrive, ask for ‘Marie-Cres’ who will be able to help organise the boat to Black Island for you. You can also rent snorkelling equipment from her should you need it.

The price for a boat to Black Island will depend on how many people there are in your group. As a guideline, we paid around 2000PHP for a 4 man boat.

Your other options are to rent a scooter in Coron Town, and drive yourself to ‘Kings Lodging Guesthouse‘ where you can rent the boat. Or, if you have the cash, you can rent a private boat from Coron Town. I should warn you though, the price we were quoted was 5000/PHP for the boat. Scooter rental is 700 PHP for the full day.

Good to Know

Camping is permitted on Black Island. With zero light pollution in close proximity, I imagine you would get an epic view of the stars on a clear night. Not to mention a memorable sunrise in the morning. Camping equipment is available to rent in Coron Town.

Rent Snorkelling Equipment in Coron Town for 150 PHP per set.

Arrive Early at Black Island if you want to make the most of the sunlight. The sunsets behind the cliffs at around 3.30 pm leaving the entire beach in shade.

Take Supplies – there aren’t any shops or bars on the island.

Take Cash for entrance fees to the island (150PHP/pax)

Wear water shoes to protect your feet in the water – We Recommend: 2 in 1 Water/Hiking Shoes.

Travel Responsibly

It should go without saying; however, when enjoying Black Island in Coron, it’s important to be mindful of the environment. It is no secret that some of our planets fragile ecosystems are at risk of extinction. There are many small steps you can take to becoming a responsible traveller, check out the Eco-Travel essentials here. It is our duty as travellers, that we reduce our footprint where we can, here are some tips:

Be careful with any rubbish that it doesn’t fly overboard. Keep it secure until you can dispose of it properly.
Do not leave anything on the islands, or take anything away – unless you’ve purchased it from a local supplier.
Wear Reef Safe Sunscreen.
Try to avoid touching coral, marine life or anything underwater… unless it’s plastic, help keep our oceans clean.

BLACK ISLAND CORON MAP LOCATION

Where to Stay in Coron

Hostel – Hop Hostel – Hop Hostel isn’t only the best hostel in Coron, it is the best hostel we’ve stayed in throughout our entire travels. The dorm beds are more comfortable then our bed was at home and the facilities are top notch! Another highlight is the rooftop bar boasting the best sunset view in town.

Budget Private – Ecocio Eco Hostel – If you don’t mind simple accommodation, Ecocio Eco Hostel offers super cheap private rooms in the heart of Coron Town. This eco-resort boats a garden, private hammocks, and a bbq area.

Luxury – Sophia’s Garden Resort – For a touch of luxury in Coron, Sophia’s Garden is our top choice. Our friends treated us to a couple of nights here for my birthday and we loved the onsite swimming pool and restaurant!

For more places to stay in Coron, you can check the latest prices HERE.

More on Philippines

Planning a trip to the Philippines? Check out some of our other articles to help plan your trip:

Did you enjoy our Guide To Black Island in Coron Palawan (Malajon Island)?

Let us know. That concludes our Guide To Black Island in Coron Palawan (Malajon Island). We hope you enjoy your time in this magical city. If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us in the comment section below, through our contact us page. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram here, where we share further travel advice & inspiration.

Stay adventurous and Happy travels.

Charlotte & Natalie x

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means that if you purchase through these links, we will earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. And we can continue bringing you free travel tips and advice. If you found the content helpful and are kind enough to use our affiliates – you are awesome, and we thank you!