Coron: Calauit Safari Black Island Lunch & Transfer included

Giraffes, caves, and a long road day. This unusual Coron outing combines giraffe feeding at Calauit Wildlife Safari with the white sand, reef, and caves of Black Island. I like the close contact with the giraffes and the chance to see zebras, gazelles, deer, monkeys, and other animals in one outing. I also like that lunch, permits, boat transport, and hotel pickup are covered. The main catch is the schedule: a 9 to 10 hour shared trip can feel stretched, and bad weather may cancel the Black Island portion.

Black Island is the strongest part for many visitors. Its huge cave, clear pools, snorkeling area, and cliff-jumping spots give the day a real island-adventure finish. The weaker point is the transport. A poor van experience and long delays can take the shine off an otherwise memorable day, especially if you are tall or the roads are slow.

The tour costs $94 per person and takes up to 12 people. That is fair if both Calauit and Black Island run as planned, but less attractive if weather removes the island stop. Guide Bernart has earned praise for keeping people safe and engaged, though guide quality may not be consistent. The current rating of 3.1 out of 5 reflects that split.

Key points to know before booking

• Feed giraffes by hand: This is the day’s most unusual moment, with a chance to stand close enough to touch them.
• Black Island has more than a beach: Expect a very large cave, clear pools, shallow reef snorkeling, and cliff-jumping spots.
• Plan for a full road-and-boat day: The trip can take 9 to 10 hours, with stops for fuel and toilets.
• The safari is a small park, not a traditional open-range safari: Giraffes and zebras move across a large grassy area, while some other animals are kept in enclosures.
• Weather can change the program: Black Island may be canceled, and you may not learn that until several hours into the outing.
• Choose your pickup hotel carefully: Free pickup and drop-off apply within Coron town proper.

Why this Coron day trip is different

Most Coron excursions focus on lagoons, reefs, and beaches. This one adds an inland and wildlife angle, then returns to the sea at Black Island. It is a good choice if you have already spent several days on boats and want something that feels different.

The combination is also unusual in practical terms. Calauit Island National Park is not just a quick photo stop. You receive an orientation, ride through the park in a safari truck, and hear about both introduced African animals and species native to Palawan. Later, you leave the animal park behind and spend about three hours at Black Island for lunch and swimming.

That variety gives the day its appeal. You could be feeding a giraffe in the morning and looking into a huge cave by afternoon. The tradeoff is time. Because Calauit is reached by road and boat, you spend a good portion of the day in transit.

The early trip to Calauit port

Your morning starts with pickup from accommodation in Coron town proper. An air-conditioned van takes you toward Calauit port, followed by a boat ride to Calauit Wildlife Safari.

The ride is part of the price, along with the licensed guide, tourist boat, safety vest, permits, entrance fees, safari truck, lunch, snacks, bottled water, and a beach cottage at Black Island. That bundle matters because separate entrance and transport costs could otherwise add up quickly.

Still, set your expectations for Philippine road travel. Several stops are made for refueling and restroom breaks, and the total timing depends on road conditions and how quickly the shared group moves. The standard vans are designed around the average Filipino height. If you are close to six feet tall, you may find the seats tight for a long day.

A small group of no more than 12 people is helpful here. You should have less waiting than on a large coach tour, although the group still has to stay together. If one person takes longer at a stop, the whole schedule can shift.

Meeting the animals at Calauit Wildlife Safari

On arrival, an orientation covers the park facilities and rules for responsible animal visits. Then the guide leads you around the grounds and explains what you are seeing.

The main attraction is the giraffe feeding. You get close to these tall animals and can offer them food. One of the most memorable details is the scale: a giraffe several meters tall can pass near someone standing only a meter away. The experience feels personal in a way a normal zoo viewing area does not.

Zebras also come close, but you need to follow instructions and keep your distance when told. One account specifically warns that zebras may bite if approached too closely. That is a useful reminder that these are animals, not painted ponies waiting for photographs.

You may also see bushbucks, elands, gazelles, waterbucks, topis, deer, and monkeys. The park presents African animals alongside Palawan’s native plant and animal life, so the stop has an educational purpose as well as a photo opportunity.

The word safari needs a little explanation. Do not picture a vast African reserve with animals spread across miles of open country. The giraffes and zebras are seen on a large grassy area, while some other animals are kept in smaller enclosures. One visitor found the second part of the zoo too long, which is worth considering if your priority is only giraffe feeding.

A fair word about the animal enclosures

The safari park may be a highlight for you, but its animal care can be a serious concern. One detailed account described some animals in small cages with poor access to clean water and food. That description is troubling, and anyone who cares strongly about animal welfare should research the park’s current standards before booking.

At the same time, another visitor described the sanctuary as interactive and enjoyable, especially the giraffe encounter. These two impressions can exist together: a close giraffe feeding may feel wonderful while other parts of the facility leave you uncomfortable.

I would not book this trip without thinking about that issue. If ethical wildlife tourism is your top concern, ask the operator for current information about enclosure size, feeding practices, veterinary care, and the role of the animals in the park. The included orientation explains rules for visitors, but the supplied information does not provide enough detail to judge the full welfare program.

The brief Busuanga stops and Malbato Church

After Calauit, the plan calls for a return toward Busuanga town proper, with time to see local landmarks and visit Malbato Church. The church sits on a hill and has a rustic look, using stones and seashells rather than conventional limestone.

This is a small stop, but it gives the day a local touch. You are not only moving between a wildlife park and a beach. You also get a glimpse of a distinctive religious building connected to the area’s island setting.

Be aware that the schedule may not always deliver every advertised stop. One account says the town landmarks and Malbato Church were not visited. That may have resulted from weather, traffic, timing, or a change in the day’s plan, but it is sensible to treat these visits as possible rather than guaranteed highlights.

Lunch and swimming at Black Island

Black Island is where the tour shifts from land animals to classic Palawan scenery. A picnic lunch with bottled water and snacks is served at the island, and a beach cottage is included for use during the stop.

The beach itself has immaculate white sand and clear water. The reef around the island is suited to shallow-water snorkeling and swimming, with a dramatic drop-off nearby for stronger swimmers and free-divers. You should bring swimwear, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and a charged phone or camera.

The island stop is scheduled for about three hours. That can feel short because the area offers several activities: lunch, swimming, snorkeling, the cave, and perhaps cliff jumping. One visitor thought too much time was spent at the zoo and not enough at Black Island. I can understand that view. If the island is your main reason for booking, ask the guide early how the time will be divided.

Do not treat the cliff-jumping spots casually. The supplied details identify them as adventure areas, but do not give heights, safety conditions, or supervision arrangements. Follow the guide’s instructions, check the water yourself, and skip the jump if conditions look wrong.

The caves are the real reward

The best feature of Black Island may be underground. The first cave is described as enormous, reaching at least 40 feet high. Morning light reaches inside and catches two clear pools, creating a striking natural setting.

This is not just a quick cave entrance for a photograph. The scale and pools give the stop a sense of discovery, even though the island is part of a packaged day tour. Bring footwear that can handle wet or uneven ground, while keeping your camera protected from water.

The cave may also be a better fit than the reef if you are not a confident swimmer. However, the trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the supplied information does not promise adapted access inside the caves. You should ask the operator directly if you have any concern about steps, rocks, or wet surfaces.

How much value do you get for $94?

At $94, the price is reasonable when the full program operates. You are paying for a 10-hour day with hotel transport, a boat, a licensed English-speaking guide, a safari truck, animal feeding, permits, entrance fees, lunch, snacks, water, and a beach cottage.

The value drops if Black Island is canceled. The tour description warns that weather can affect the day, but one visitor said the cancellation was not explained until three hours into the trip. That is a long time to wait before learning that the most anticipated stop will not happen.

You also need to value convenience. Organizing Calauit transport, a boat, park tickets, animal feeding, and Black Island independently could be difficult. This package removes much of that work. On the other hand, you give up control over the timing and must accept the pace of a shared group.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve without paying immediately make the booking less rigid. They do not remove the weather risk on the day itself.

Guide quality and the shared-group reality

The guide can shape this outing more than the scenery does. A good guide explains the animals, keeps the group on time, handles safety reminders, and communicates clearly when weather changes the plan.

Bernart received especially positive feedback for being friendly and focused on safety and the overall experience. That is exactly the kind of guide you want on a day involving animals, boats, caves, and cliff-jumping areas.

But service may vary. Another account described a guide who spent much of the day collecting an environmental fee, smoking, using a phone, and sleeping rather than leading the group. That is a sharp contrast, and it explains why the overall rating is mixed.

As a shared tour, cooperation matters. You may need to wait for other people, follow the guide’s schedule, and accept several fuel and restroom stops. If you want to linger at the cave or leave the safari early, a private trip would offer more control, though no private option is specified here.

What to pack for this particular day

Keep your bag simple and useful:

• Swimwear and a full change of clothes
• Sunscreen and comfortable clothing
• Flip-flops or other beach footwear
• A camera or charged smartphone
• Cash for any personal spending
• A small waterproof bag for electronics

Lunch, snacks, and bottled water are included, but cash is still listed as something to bring. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Because this is a long mixed-transport day, wear something comfortable for the van and boat. If you are tall, you may want to confirm the van setup before booking. The ride may be the least comfortable part of the experience.

Who should book this Coron excursion?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want a change from standard Coron island trips. The giraffe feeding is unusual, Black Island is beautiful, and the cave adds a memorable twist. It also suits active people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and optional cliff jumping.

Families and animal lovers may appreciate the close giraffe encounter, but children should follow every instruction around zebras and other animals. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, altitude sickness, or anyone over 95 years old.

I would be more cautious if your priorities are pristine animal-care standards, a relaxed schedule, or guaranteed time at Black Island. You should also think twice if you dislike long van rides or cramped seating.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want variety and can accept a long, weather-dependent day. The giraffe feeding and Black Island cave make it far more distinctive than a standard beach outing, and the included transport and entry costs give the $94 price reasonable value when everything runs.

Skip it if you want a pure safari, have serious concerns about animal enclosures, or would be disappointed by losing Black Island. Before paying, confirm the current weather policy, ask how cancellations are handled, and request clarity about the planned church and town stops. Go in expecting a mixed wildlife park and island day, not an African-style safari, and you will have a much clearer basis for deciding.

FAQ

How long does the Coron Calauit and Black Island tour take?

The trip lasts about 10 hours, though the actual day may run between 9 and 10 hours depending on road conditions and the pace of the shared group.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Free pickup and drop-off are provided for accommodation within Coron town proper.

Is transport included in the price?

Yes. The package includes a roundtrip air-conditioned van, a tourist boat with a professional vest, and a Calauit safari truck.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch, bottled water, and snacks are included. Other meals are not included.

Can I feed the giraffes?

Yes. Animal feeding is included, and the giraffe feeding is the main feature of the Calauit visit.

What animals might I see at Calauit?

The park may include bushbucks, elands, gazelles, giraffes, waterbucks, topis, deer, monkeys, and zebras, along with Palawan plant and animal life.

Is Black Island included?

Black Island is part of the planned program and includes lunch, swimming, and beach-cottage use. Weather may prevent the boat trip to the island.

Can I snorkel at Black Island?

Yes. The reef around Black Island is described as suitable for shallow-water snorkeling and free-diving.

Are cliff jumps available at Black Island?

Yes, cliff-jumping spots are part of the island experience. You should follow all safety instructions and judge the water and conditions before jumping.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide service is in English.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is offered as a small group limited to 12 participants.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.