Coron Private Tour D: Reef and Wrecks

Two WWII wrecks, one excellent beach. This private eight-hour trip from Coron combines shallow-water snorkeling, unusual wartime sites, the Lusong Coral Garden, and a long stop at white-sand Pass Island. I like the mix of history and sea life, and I like that lunch, hotel pickup, drinks, and a private guide are included. The main catch is the travel time: Pass Island sits well beyond Coron’s shorter island-hopping routes, so this is a full day on the water.

You get commentary about the wrecks rather than simply being dropped beside them, which gives the snorkeling more purpose. I also like that both East Tangat and Lusong Gunboat can suit snorkelers, but currents may range from mild to strong, and non-swimmers cannot join. If you want deep wreck exploration or a fast, tightly packed itinerary, this probably is not your best choice.

Key points at a glance

• Pass Island is the scenic prize: Expect fine white silica sand, palms, calm water, and a long boat ride to reach it.
• Lusong Gunboat sits in shallow water: Salvaged and open at the top, it is covered with sponges and soft corals and works well for snorkeling and photography.
• East Tangat adds wartime context: This 1944 wreck lies on a sandy slope, with its shallowest section accessible to snorkelers.
• Lusong Coral Garden is close to the gunboat: You can move from a wreck site to a broad coral area filled with many coral forms and fish.
• The $120 price buys a private full-day outing: A guide, boat, lunch, refreshments, and hotel-to-wharf transfers are included, but the environmental fee and rented gear cost extra.
• The route takes longer than Coron’s standard A and B tours: Plan for a day built around fewer major stops and more time traveling between them.

Why this route is different from Coron’s shorter tours

Coron is well known for island-hopping routes that group nearby beaches, lagoons, and reefs. This itinerary takes a more focused approach. You spend the day going farther out to combine two WWII wrecks with a coral garden and a standout beach.

That matters because the trip is not simply a checklist of quick photo stops. The wrecks are the main reason to choose this route, while Pass Island gives the day a relaxed finish or pause between water activities. You trade some convenience for a more specialized outing.

A private group also changes the feel of the day. You are not sharing the boat with a large mixed group, and your guide can provide commentary on the wrecks as you move between sites. The available language is English.

The tour lasts about eight hours. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels around Coron Town Proper, with transport to and from the wharf by tricycle, electric tricycle, or air-conditioned van. Pickup times are approximate, so you should be ready in the hotel lobby 15 minutes before the stated departure.

The long ride to Pass Island

Pass Island is one of the strongest reasons to accept the longer journey. The beach is described by its fine white silica sand, tall palms, and calm water. It has the sort of simple tropical setting that needs little decoration: pale sand underfoot, green shade above, and a place to swim or rest after time in the sea.

The practical point is distance. A March 2025 booking described Pass Island as worth the long trip and specifically noted that this route takes much longer to reach than Coron’s A and B tours. That is useful planning advice. You should not book this day expecting a quick hop from one nearby island to the next.

I would treat Pass Island as a proper part of the experience, not just a spare beach stop. Bring sun protection, a dry bag, and something comfortable to wear between swims. A cold beer is mentioned as part of the island’s appeal, but the confirmed inclusions are water, light snacks, drinks, and a picnic lunch, not a guaranteed alcoholic drink.

The island also provides a change of pace. Wrecks and coral gardens require attention to what is below the surface. Pass Island lets you enjoy open beach time, swimming, shade, and lunch without having to keep your mask on.

Lusong Gunboat: the easiest wreck to appreciate

Lusong Gunboat was strafed while cruising near Concepcion village. Hundreds of machine-gun bullets disabled it, and the vessel beached at the southern tip of Lusong Island.

The wreck has since been salvaged, so the entire top is gone. That may disappoint serious wreck specialists looking for intact structures, but it makes the site approachable for snorkeling. The wreck is covered with sponges and soft corals, and fish such as butterflyfish, angelfish, pufferfish, and batfish may be seen around it.

There is also reef beside the wreck. This is important because you are not limited to inspecting metal remains. You can look between the wreck and the nearby reef, where the coral growth and fish make the site worthwhile even if you are not interested in wartime vessels.

I especially like this stop for first-time wreck snorkelers and underwater photographers. The shallow setting gives you a chance to see the shape of the gunboat without needing advanced underwater skills. You still need to be comfortable in the water, and conditions can change, so listen closely to the guide before entering.

Lusong Coral Garden, a short move from the wreck

The Lusong Coral Garden is very close to the gunboat, making this an efficient pairing. After looking around the wreck, you can shift attention to the coral itself rather than spending another long period in transit.

The garden contains many types of coral, with different colors and shapes extending across the viewing area. Thousands of fish are associated with the site, giving you plenty to watch while floating above the reef.

This is where the trip becomes more than a wreck excursion. The gunboat provides the story and structure. The coral garden supplies the broad marine scene. If you enjoy spotting changes in coral shape, fish movement, and reef texture, you will likely spend more time here than expected.

Your guide’s role matters at this stop. Coral gardens can look like a single mass when viewed quickly. Commentary and simple pointers can help you notice separate coral forms and fish activity. Avoid touching the coral, and keep your fins controlled so you do not damage the reef below.

East Tangat Wreck and its 1944 story

East Tangat Wreck sank on September 24, 1944, during World War II. It is believed to have been either a tugboat or an anti-submarine craft. The wreck is about 40 meters long and weighs roughly 500 gross tons.

The vessel rests on a sandy slope, listing to starboard. Its stern reaches about 22 meters, while the top of the bow is around 10 feet below the surface. The site has an average depth of about 10 meters and a maximum depth of 22 meters.

Those measurements explain why snorkelers can enjoy it. The shallow bow area is accessible from the surface, while the lower sections suit certified underwater visitors with the right experience and equipment. This tour is presented as a snorkeling and diving experience, but you should not assume that every part of the wreck is available to you while snorkeling.

The site can have mild to strong currents. That is the main safety consideration here. You should be a confident swimmer, stay close to the guide, and avoid treating the wreck as a place to wander independently. Non-swimmers are not accepted, and pregnant women are also excluded from the activity.

Marine life includes soft and hard corals, large lettuce corals beside the wreck, white sponges, schools of small angelfish, and copperband butterflyfish. Sea stars and crinoids are less often seen, so consider those a lucky find rather than an expected feature.

East Tangat is best for snorkelers, beginners at underwater wreck sites, photographers, and anyone who wants a shallow historical site. People seeking deep water or strong current conditions may find it less demanding than they prefer. That is not a flaw, but it is a useful match-your-interest point.

What lunch and the boat arrangements mean

The price is $120 per person. For a private eight-hour outing, that is easier to justify than it would be for a basic shared beach transfer because the package includes a tour guide, boat, life vest, picnic buffet lunch, water, light snacks, and drinks.

Hotel pickup and drop-off around Coron Town Proper are also included. You do not need to arrange a separate ride to the wharf if your hotel falls within the stated service area. If you stay farther out, confirm the transfer area before paying.

The picnic buffet is useful on this particular route because of the long travel time. You are not relying on a quick snack between nearby stops. Tropical fruit and refreshments help keep the day practical, especially after repeated swims.

The price does not include the environmental fee. It also excludes mask, snorkel, and fins, although these can be rented. Water shoes and kayaks are available to rent as well. Ask about current rental charges before departure so the final cost does not surprise you.

A private group is valuable if you want a calmer pace or prefer to ask questions about the wrecks. It may be less important if your main goal is the lowest possible price and you are happy to join a larger boat.

Equipment, swimming ability, and comfort

You need to be able to swim for this tour. A life vest is provided, but that does not turn the excursion into a suitable activity for a non-swimmer. The wreck sites can have currents, and you may be moving between a boat ladder, open water, and reef areas.

Bring or rent your mask, snorkel, and fins. The tour does not include them, but rental is available. Water shoes are also optional rentals and can be useful around rocky or coral-lined entry points.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women. That restriction applies to the full day, including boat transport and water stops.

I would pack a towel, sun protection, a waterproof phone pouch, and a change of clothes. These are practical additions for any eight-hour boat day, though they are not listed as included items. Keep your gear compact because the day involves moving between the boat, beaches, and snorkeling sites.

The guide and the value of the history

The guide is not just there to point out the next swim. Commentary about the wrecks gives the sites a human and historical frame. Lusong Gunboat was disabled by machine-gun fire and forced onto the island, while East Tangat sank during the wartime events of September 1944.

That context helps you look at the wrecks differently. A corroded hull is easy to treat as scenery. Knowing why the vessels are there turns the site into a reminder of the conflict that reached Palawan waters.

A German booking from March 2025 also identified guides Daniel and Majun and praised a third outing with the same agency and guide team. You cannot assume they will lead every departure, but if they are assigned to your group, their repeat-customer following is a useful sign of consistent service.

The experience has a current rating of 4.5 out of 5 from five ratings. That is encouraging, though the sample is small. I would put more weight on the specific match between your interests and the route: good snorkeling, historical wrecks, a long ride, and a private setup.

How the full eight hours may feel

The day begins with approximate hotel pickup, followed by transport to the wharf. Once on the boat, you head toward the more distant sites rather than concentrating on Coron’s nearby stops.

The wreck stops form the educational core. Lusong Gunboat offers shallow wreck snorkeling and reef life. Lusong Coral Garden adds a broad coral viewing area nearby. East Tangat brings a second wreck with a different shape, history, depth profile, and current pattern.

Pass Island breaks up the underwater focus. You can swim, rest, eat, and enjoy the beach before the return journey. Lunch, fruit, snacks, water, and drinks are included, so the day is designed to keep you out on the route rather than sending you back early for food.

Allow for a fair amount of boat time. That is the price of reaching Pass Island and the more distant wreck sites. If you get seasick, plan carefully and ask the operator what motion conditions are expected before departure. The supplied information does not promise calm travel all day.

Should you book Coron Private Tour D?

Book this tour if you are a swimmer who wants two accessible WWII wrecks, coral scenery, and a famous white-sand island in one private day. It is especially suitable for couples, families with confident swimmers, photographers, and small groups who value a guide and included lunch.

Think twice if you want a short boat ride, a low-cost shared excursion, or demanding deep-water wreck work. The long approach is real, the environmental fee and rental gear cost extra, and currents can be mild to strong.

At $120 per person, I see reasonable value in the private boat, guide, transfers, food, and eight-hour schedule. The best reason to book is not simply the number of stops. It is the combination of wartime sites, coral life, and Pass Island, with enough time to make the distance worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is Coron Private Tour D?

The tour lasts eight hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $120 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels around Coron Town Proper and the wharf area.

What transport is used for hotel transfers?

Hotel-to-wharf transfers may use a tricycle, electric tricycle, or air-conditioned van.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The group type is private.

Which languages are available?

The live tour guide is listed as speaking English.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. A picnic buffet lunch, water, tropical fruit, light snacks, and drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. A mask, snorkel, and fins are not included, but they are available to rent.

Are water shoes available?

Yes. Water shoes can be rented, but they are not included in the price.

Can non-swimmers join?

No. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers. It is also not suitable for pregnant women.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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