Best Places to Stay in Coron for Scuba Divers [2024 Guide]
Located at the north tip of the visually-stunning Palawan province, Coron is the Wreck Dive Capital of all of Southeast Asia.
However, in order to get the most out of a dive trip there; you’ll need to stay in the right place!
Did you know that “Coron” refers to an entire municipality taking up the east half of Busuanga Island – but it’s actually within the tiny Coron town of Coron Bay that public dive centres operate?
Therefore, Coron Town is where you’ll need to stay if you’re on a budget and staying in a hostel or homestay.
That said, if you can afford to stay in a dive resort you’ll be able to stay out of town, somewhere much quieter – and actually closer to the wrecks meaning less travel time on the boat!
To help you along, we’ve put together this guide listing the 10 best places to stay in Coron for divers. Let’s do this!
How to Use this Guide:
We’ve divided our list of 10 best places to stay in Coron into 2 sections:
Section 1) Coron Resorts; a luxury option, most Coron Resorts are located outside of the busy Coron Town, in a much quieter and more peaceful setting. Often they are much closer to the wreck dives meaning less travel time on the boat.
Section 2) Backpacker Hostels located within the busy Coron Town and within immediate proximity of the many local dive shops there. This is a much cheaper option.
Use the Quick Answer Section directly below to check out our top 3 recommendations on booking.com – or dive down / scroll past it to read our full reviews of all 10 places.
Remember! Booking in advance is always cheaper than paying when you get there and is also the best way to ensure you get a space where you want to stay!
QUICK ANSWER
TOP PICK: Chindonan Dive Resort
QUIETEST ISLAND: Club Paradise Palawan
BEST CHEAP OPTION: Dayon Hostel
Best Coron Dive Resorts
1) TOP PICK: Chindonan Dive Resort
In-house dive shop
Bar, restaurant, massage services
Chindonan Island (super close to wrecks)
2) RUNNER-UP: Marina Del Sol
100m to Gunter's Dive Center
Restaurant, bar, swimming pool, massage services
Puerto Del Sol Bay (private peninsular, close to wrecks)
3) BEST MID-PRICER: Pirates Diving Resort
5 Star PADI dive centre on site
Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, massage services
Coron town (outskirts)
4) MID-PRICER RUNNER-UP: Discovery Island Resort & Dive Centre
In-house dive centre
Swimming pool, restaurant, bar, massage services
Discovery island, 5 min boat ride from Coron town
5) QUIETEST ISLAND: Club Paradise Palawan
Short boat ride to Dugong Dive Centre
Swimming pool, spa, bar, restaurant, karaoke room
Dimaquiat island (private)
1. TOP PICK: Chindonan Dive Resort
- $$$$
- In-house dive shop
- Bar, restaurant, massage services
- Chindonan Island
Locations don’t get better than this. Chindonan dive resort is situated on the small, sparsely populated Chindonan island; away from the hustle and bustle of Coron town and with stunning views back towards Busuanga island. It is far closer to the Japanese shipwrecks than Coron town and consequently they can be reached much quicker.
A 5 star PADI dive centre, Chindonan resort has it’s own in-house dive centre with highly experienced and knowledgable dive instructors and superb quality rental scuba gear.
All rooms are extremely spacious with private balcony terraces, ensuite bathrooms and aircon as well as garden views. There is a restaurant and bar area serving a variety of tasty cuisine and refreshing drinks.
Staff are incredibly professional, welcoming and attentive – there is a 24 hour help desk from which you can arrange kayaking, massage services and various tours.
2. RUNNER-UP: Marina del Sol Resort & Yacht Club
- $$$
- 100 meters to Dugong Dive Centre
- Restaurant, bar, swimming pool, massage services
- Puerto Del Sol Bay (private peninsular, very close to shipwrecks)
Located on mainland Busuanga, Marina del Sol Resort & Yacht Club is also in an extremely quiet location. It is only 100 meters from Gunter’s Dive Centre from which you can arrange to dive the many nearby shipwrecks; Marina del Sol is much closer to the wrecks than Coron town and subsequently they are quicker to reach.
There is some fantastic kayaking around Marina del Sol, including around an old; partially sunken seaplane which you can climb atop for an extremely tranquil setting; surrounded by the quiet lagoon and mangroves forests.
Guests can choose from a variety of room options; all of which offer ocean views along with aircon and ensuite bathrooms and with some options also featuring private balconies. The restaurant / bar area serves incredible food; guests can also arrange massage services and rent a hobby sailboat.
3. Best Mid-Pricer: Pirates Diving Resort
- $$
- 5 Star PADI dive centre on site
- Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, massage services
- Coron town (outskirts)
Conveniently close to the many bars, clubs and restaurants of Coron town yet located just on the outskirts of town so as to be away from the hustle and bustle, Pirates Diving Resort is more affordable than the first 2 options and yet still offers quality and semi-luxury vibes.
There is a 5 Star PADI dive centre on site; the dive instructors are very professional and knowledgeable plus there is good rental scuba gear. There is also an outside swimming pool and massage services. This is a relaxed and social resort; the bar and restaurant are a good place to meet other travellers.
Staff are extremely welcoming and helpful; they can help with just about anything from arranging tours to motorbike rental, airport shuttle buses and any other query you may have.
There’s a variety of different sized bungalows to choose from; ranging from standard options to superior and garden view ones.
4. Mid-Pricer Runner-Up: Discovery Island Resort & Dive Centre
- $$
- In-house dive centre
- Swimming pool, restaurant, bar, massage services
- Discovery island, 5 mins from Coron town
With Discovery Island Resort & Dive Centre, you get the best of both worlds. On one hand, it’s only 5 minutes boat ride from Coron town; meaning you’re close to the nightlife and iconic lake and lagoon tours. On the other, it’s still away from the chaos of town; being located on its own “Discovery Island”, a tiny 7 hectare island of tropical forest and white beach.
This is a very reasonably priced resort; it has it’s own in-house dive centre with awesome guides and good rental gear as well as an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant and bar.
The friendly staff are more than happy to help you arrange mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, snorkeling and tours as well as massage services from the comfort of your own room.
There’s a variety of rooms to choose, from native-style cottages with fans to air-conditioned rooms. All options feature outdoor terraces, ensuite bathrooms and comfortable beds.
5. Closest to Dugong Dive Sites: Club Paradise Palawan
- $$$
- Arrange diving with Dugong dive centre
- Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, spa, karaoke
- Dimaquiat island, North Busuanga
Although Coron is best known among scuba divers as an epic shipwreck dive destination; a lesser known fact is that it is also a dugong (sea cows) hotspot. However, the dugong dive sites are around North Busuanga: a fair distance from the Japanese wrecks down south.
Although many dive resorts and centres located around South Busuanga offer day trips to dive with Dugong, these require very early starts and a long van journey each way. So if you want to avoid that, you can simply stay up in North Busuanga (note, this does mean you’ll be considerably far from the shipwrecks!).
If this is something you’re considering, by far the most luxurious option is to stay at Club Paradise Palawan; a luxury resort located on the tiny and tranquil Dimaquita island with its white sand beach and small tropical forest.
From here, it’s just a few km to Dugong Dive Centre on mainland North Busuanga; this is the number one dive resort to arrange dugong diving with!
Club Paradise Palawan is a luxurious resort with a spa, swimming pool, bar, restaurant and karaoke rooms and many villa options going all the way from standard right up to king suites with ocean views and private balconies.
Best Coron Dive Shop & Hostels
6) BEST CORON HOSTEL: Dayon Hostel
Breakfast, bar, terrace
Coron town, 1km to Umali Dive Shop
7) RUNNER UP: Mario's Traveller's Inn
Breakfast, social areas
Coron town , 250 meters to Umali Dive Shop
8) CHEAPEST DORM: Carillo Guesthouse
Breakfast, lounge, shared kitchen & bbq
Coron town, 1km from Umali Dive Shop
9) CHEAPEST PRIVATE ROOM: Purple Homestay
Breakfast, terrace with amazing view
Coron town, 1.6km to Umali Dive Shop
10) QUIET HOSTEL: Avisala Hostel
Breakfast, lounge
Coron town, 1km from Umali Dive Centre
6. Best Coron Hostel: Dayon Hostel
- $
- Breakfast, bar, roof terrace
- Coron town, 1km to Umali Dive Shop
Dayon Hostel is the most popular hostel in Coron for backpackers and with good reason; it’s has awesome vibes, is affordable and in an excellent location; within easy walking distance of many bars and restaurants and just 1km to Umali Dive shop and other scuba centres. Despite being in a prime location, it is still tucked away from the hustle and bustle.
Guests can choose to stay in mixed or female only dorms with aircon or in double rooms with shared bathrooms. The bar and roof terrace are an excellent place to meet and befriend other travellers; plus the friendly staff are more than happy to help you and your new friends arrange tours and other activities.
There is also free luggage storage, free WiFi and free parking. For a small extra fee you can enjoy the immensly popular continental / full English / Irish breakfast.
7. Runner-Up: Mario's Traveller's Inn
- $
- Breakfast, social areas
- Coron town, 250m to Umali Dive shop
Mario’s Traveller’s Inn is another social hostel with cool vibes and plenty of chill zones. It’s in a truly awesome location; situated along a quiet street and yet just 250 meters from Umali Dive shop and also very close to various other dive centres, bars and restaurants.
There are extremely affordable 4-bed mixed dorms with a fan as well as a variety of private options ranging from budget double rooms all the way up to family rooms with ensuite bathrooms. There is Asian, breakfast to go, free WiFi, free parking and an airport shuttle service.
8. Cheapest Dorm: Carillo Guesthouse
- $
- Breakfast, lounge, shared kitchen and bbq
- Coron town, 1km from Umali Dive shop
If you’re looking to stay somewhere for as cheap as possible (no doubt to save extra money for more dives, huhuhu!) look no further than Carillo Guesthouse which has the cheapest dormitories in all of Coron, at around just six bucks night. These 8-bed mixed dorms still have aircon, comfortable bunk beds and a window with a view.
Carillo Guesthouse itself is in a quiet part of Coron town, yet still just 1km from Umali Dive Shop and most of the bars and restaurants; that’s less than five minutes ride via tricycle or scooter.
There’s a nice, spacious open lounge you can chill with other travellers at as well as a daily breakfast plus a shared kitchen and bbq if (unlike myself who posses zero culinary talent whatsoever!), you want to cook your own meals.
9. Cheapest Private Rooms: Purple Homestay
- $
- Breakfast, terrace with amazing view
- Coron town, 1.6km Umali Dive Shop
This is actually where I stayed when I was diving Coron over May 2023! It’s a truly kickass homestay; operated by a very friendly and hospitable family who can cook you breakfast and dinner (just tell them the day before) as well as help you organise tours and diving.
Purple Homestay has the cheapest private rooms in Coron, starting at around ten bucks a night; despite this the rooms have loads of space, fans and aircon as well as comfortable double beds.
Purple Homestay also offers the best damn view of any budget accommodation in all of Coron; it is situated atop a hill with a breathtaking view of Coron Bay that becomes even more epic at sunset. There’s a small terrace / lounge here from which you can enjoy a drink and chat with other travellers. There’s free WiFi and free parking at the bottom of the hill.
Purple Homestay is located towards the outskirts of Coron town; it’s in a quiet area and yet only 5 or so minutes drive away from the main bars, restaurants, Umali Dive Shop and other dive centres. Awesome value for money.
10. Quiet Hostel: Avisala Hostel
- $
- Breakfast, lounge
- Coron town, 1km from Umali Dive Shop
This is a small hostel with tranquil vibes, a somewhat Japanese style interior and a super budget-friendly, 4-bed mixed dorm with aircon. Avisala Hostel is in a good location, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Coron town and yet within less than 1km of the main bars, restaurants and dive centres.
A la carte or continental breakfast is available for a small extra fee and there is also free WiFi and free parking. The staff are friendly and helpful; the 24 hour help desk can help you organise tours and answer any questions you may have.
There is a small garden lounge from which to chill out after an awesome days diving. There is also an ATM on site. Aviala Hostel is a great option if you want to stay somewhere quiet, cheap and calm.
Best Coron Dive Shop
If you stay at one of the Coron dive resorts; you won’t have to worry about this because they all feature their own on-site dive centre or are directly next to one.
However, if you’re staying in one of the hostels or homestays; you will need to go with one of the many public dive shops (aka dive centres). Rest assured that all of the hostels and homestays listed on this page are within very close proximity of these dive centres.At the end of the day, all of the Coron dive shops / centres are within close proximity to one another (located within the centre of Coron town), offer similar prices and can take you to all of the shipwrecks. I have only heard good things about all of them. That said, if you’re wandering which is the best dive shop in Coron, I’m inclined to say go for Umali Dive Shop! They were my choice when I scuba dived Coron over May 2023 and I’m stoked I went with them.
What to know about diving Coron
When it comes to scuba diving Coron, there’s a few things you’ll want to be aware of such as how to get there, when is the best time to go and other fun activities to do. You can read about all this and more in our Guide to Scuba Diving Coron.
Best Places to Stay in Coron Diving Squad DEBRIEFING:
And there ya go! The absolute best places to stay in and around Coron for scuba divers. We constantly review and update all of our content, so rest assured that what you’ve read today reflects the very latest info regarding diver’s accommodation in Coron.
Just so you be knowing, when you make a booking on booking.com after clicking on it through one of the affiliate links on this page, we’ll get a small yet delicious commission at no extra cost to yourself! Stuff like this helps us keep Diving Squad fresh, awesome and the best damn scuba diving blog in the multi-verse.
It’s also much cheaper for you to book in advance than it is to pay when you get there; so everyone’s a winner – huzzah!
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