Responsible Tourism in Coron: 10 Simple Things Visitors Can Do
You don't need to become an environmental activist to travel responsibly in Coron.
Most of it comes down to something much simpler:
Respect the place you're visiting.
Coron's lakes, reefs, beaches, wildlife and communities are the reason millions of people want to experience these islands. Small decisions by individual travelers may seem insignificant, but multiplied by thousands of visitors, they matter.
Here are 10 simple things you can do.
1. Never Stand on Coral
Coral isn't a rock.
It's a living ecosystem that can take years or decades to develop.
When snorkeling, control your fins and avoid kicking or standing on reefs.
If you're not a strong swimmer, use a life jacket or flotation device rather than using coral as somewhere to rest.
Look. Don't touch.
2. Take Your Rubbish Back With You
Whatever goes onto the boat should come back.
Plastic bottles, snack wrappers, cigarette butts and other waste don't belong on beaches or islands.
Better still, reduce what you bring.
Carry a reusable water bottle when practical and avoid unnecessary single-use packaging.
3. Respect the Calamian Tagbanwa
Parts of the Coron Island experience take place within the ancestral domain of the Calamian Tagbanwa Indigenous people.
Visitors should remember that Coron Island isn't simply a tourism attraction.
It is homeland.
Some locations have cultural or spiritual significance, and some areas may be restricted.
Follow local rules and your guides' instructions.
Not every beautiful place needs to be accessible to tourists.
4. Keep Your Distance From Wildlife
Busuanga is home to remarkable animals, including dugongs and the endangered Calamian deer.
Wildlife encounters should happen on the animal's terms.
Don't chase animals.
Don't touch them.
Don't surround them.
And don't pressure your guide to get closer simply because you want a better photograph.
A responsible wildlife encounter may mean seeing the animal from farther away.
That's still a successful encounter.
5. Choose Your Tour Operator Carefully
Price matters.
But it shouldn't be the only consideration.
Look for operators that take safety and environmental responsibility seriously.
Does the boat have appropriate safety equipment?
Do guides explain how to behave around reefs?
Are wildlife regulations respected?
Is rubbish brought back?
Do they respect protected and restricted areas?
Responsible businesses deserve responsible customers.
6. Use Less Water
Fresh water on an island is not an unlimited resource.
You probably don't need hotel towels changed every day.
You don't need a 30-minute shower after every swim.
And you don't need to leave water running unnecessarily.
These actions seem tiny.
Multiply them by thousands of hotel rooms and visitors, and they stop being tiny.
7. Reduce Your Electricity Use
Island electricity can be more difficult and expensive to produce than visitors from large cities may realize.
Turn off air-conditioning when you're leaving your room for the day.
Switch off lights you aren't using.
Don't leave doors open while air-conditioning is running.
Comfort is fine.
Waste isn't necessary.
8. Spend Money With Local Businesses
Responsible tourism isn't only about the environment.
It's also about ensuring that tourism benefits the community.
Eat at a local restaurant.
Buy from a small shop.
Try locally produced food.
Purchase something from a local artist.
Hire local guides.
Explore businesses outside the biggest tourist establishments.
Every peso you spend is also a decision about which businesses tourism supports.
9. Don't Take Nature Home
Leave the beach where it belongs.
Don't collect coral.
Don't remove marine life.
Be careful about purchasing souvenirs made from wildlife or questionable natural materials.
That beautiful piece of coral looks considerably better underwater than it ever will on your bookshelf.
Take photographs instead.
10. Slow Down
This may be the easiest—and most overlooked—form of responsible tourism.
You don't need to visit six locations in one day.
You don't need another boat trip every morning.
You don't need to reproduce every photograph you saw online.
Spend longer somewhere.
Walk around town.
Eat locally.
Explore Busuanga.
Talk to people.
Have a day without a tour.
Slower tourism can reduce pressure on heavily visited attractions while allowing more of your spending to reach different parts of the community.
Responsible Tourism Doesn't Mean Enjoying Coron Less
Quite the opposite.
Swim.
Dive.
Snorkel.
Eat seafood.
Explore the islands.
Take photographs.
Watch the sunset.
Have fun.
Responsible travel isn't about feeling guilty for being a tourist.
It's about understanding that you're a guest somewhere that other people—and extraordinary ecosystems—call home.
Leave Coron the Way You Hope to Find It
Every visitor wants clear water.
Healthy reefs.
Clean beaches.
Wildlife.
Beautiful landscapes.
And welcoming communities.
Keeping them that way isn't only somebody else's responsibility.
Government has a role.
Tour operators have a role.
Businesses have a role.
Local communities have a role.
And visitors have one too.
Ten small actions won't solve every challenge facing Coron.
But they're a very good place to start.
Enjoy Coron. Respect Coron. Help protect Coron.
Because I Love Coron.
Discover responsible ways to experience Coron and Busuanga on ilovecoron.com.
