Island hopping is one of the essential experiences in Coron, but before choosing your itinerary, you have another decision to make:
Private boat or joiner tour?
Both can take you to spectacular places. The difference is mainly price, flexibility and how you want to experience the day.
What Is a Joiner Tour?
A joiner tour puts you on a boat with other travelers who have booked the same itinerary.
Current Coron operators typically offer fixed routes covering combinations of Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake, Skeleton Wreck, reefs and beaches.
Packages commonly include the boat, licensed guide, life vest, lunch and entrance fees, although inclusions vary by operator.
The biggest advantage is price.
Because everyone shares the cost of the boat and crew, joiner tours are particularly attractive for solo travelers and couples.
They're also social. You may finish the day having made several new friends.
The disadvantage?
You follow the group.
Departure time, itinerary and time spent at each location are largely predetermined.
What Changes With a Private Tour?
A private tour gives your group exclusive use of the boat, crew and guide.
That creates considerably more flexibility.
Depending on the operator and local access rules, you may be able to adjust departure times, change the order of stops or spend more time somewhere you particularly enjoy.
This can also help you experience popular attractions at different times from large groups of joiner boats.
But don't assume “private” means you can go anywhere you want. Site opening rules, permits, weather, sea conditions and local regulations still apply.
What About the Price?
For one or two travelers, a joiner tour will normally be the economical choice.
Private tours become more interesting when their cost is divided among a family or group of friends.
Current Coron operators commonly price private tours according to group size, so the per-person cost decreases as more people share the boat.
Always compare the complete package, not simply the advertised boat price. Check whether entrance fees, lunch, guide, transfers and equipment are included.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose a joiner tour if you're traveling alone or as a couple, watching your budget, enjoy meeting people and don't mind following a fixed itinerary.
Choose a private tour if you're traveling as a family or group, value flexibility, want more control over your day or prefer having the boat to yourselves.
Neither is automatically better.
The right choice depends on how you like to travel.
And in Coron, sometimes having a little more time at the place you love most is worth more than adding another stop.
Compare Coron experiences and plan your stay with ilovecoron.com.
Because I Love Coron.
