The picturesque island paradise of Palawan has been in the global spotlight for years now, thanks to the many accolades given it by well-trusted travel websites.
Palawan’s popularity among global travelers has elevated the status of the island, considered as the Philippines’ “last frontier”.
That being said, many would-be visitors to the Philippines are often surprised by how large Palawan really is. Unlike other island destinations in the country like Boracay, Siargao, Bohol, or even Cebu, Palawan is way, way larger. In fact, this island province is the largest province in the Philippines.
Two of the most famous destinations in Palawan, El Nido and Coron, are actually located at the northernmost part of the island. Coron is part of an archipelago between mainland Palawan and Mindoro island.
Getting to Coron entails a plane ride or a lengthy ferry boat trip from Manila. Thankfully, getting between Coron and El Nido has now been made easier because of a handful of ferry operators.
Coron to El Nido via Jomalia Shipping
Jomalia Shipping is a domestic maritime company that services routes between the country’s many islands.
In recent months, Jomalia has shifted its focus to the growing demand for quick and easy transportation between El Nido and Coron.
Jomalia’s speedy ferry leaves Coron daily for El Nido at 7:30 AM, arriving shortly before noon in El Nido. They offer two classes: airconditioned and open-air. Regular fare is PHP2,800 one-way (USD48). Passengers can bring up to 20-kg of luggage onboard the vessel.
Aside from the standard onboard water closet/toilet, Jomalia also offers special amenities like high-speed Wi-Fi thanks to their onboard Starlink system.
Just like Cherry Bus Palawan, which offers the best way to travel between El Nido and Puerto Princesa, travelers can book their Coron to El Nido ferry tickets from Jomalia online.
BOOK YOUR SEATCoron to El Nido via Montenegro Shipping Lines
Montenegro is a household name in the Philippines, especially among Filipinos who live in the country’s many smaller islands.
A well-established maritime transport company, Montenegro now has high-speed vessels plying the Coron to El Nido route.
Montenegro’s seacrafts depart early at 6:00 AM from Coron every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, taking anywhere between 3.5 to 4.5 hours to reach El Nido, depending on the sea and weather conditions. The return trip from El Nido to Coron leaves at 12:00 noon.
The regular fare for the Coron to El Nido or vice versa passage is PHP2,800 (USD48). Amenties include fully airconditioned cabins and a water closet/toilet. Tickets can be bought from Montenegro’s offices in Coron or El Nido, near the ports. Interested travelers can also book online.
From El Nido, travelers can book comfortable seats on Cherry Bus Palawan and head on to Puerto Princesa and further south to Balabac, another pristine Palawan destination now gaining popularity.
BOOK YOUR SEATCoron to El Nido via Atienza Shipping
Another mainstay in the maritime transport industry is Atienza Shipping.
Better known for their larger ferries that serve the Manila-Palawan route, this company now offers direct routes between Coron and El Nido via smaller, faster vessels.
Atienza’s crafts travel daily from Coron to El Nido, leaving Coron Port at 7:00 AM and arriving in El Nido between 11:30 AM and 12:00 noon. Their return trip from El Nido to Coron is scheduled daily at 12:30 noon.
Compared to the other companies serving the Coron to El Nido route, Atienza’s vessels have more amenities to offer. Aside from the standard water closet/toilet, they also have free Wi-Fi and even free snacks onboard.
Atienza Shipping also offers competitive fares, frequently dropping prices from the regular PHP2,800 per way (USD48) to PHP2,500 (USD43) depending on the month of year. Their ticketing offices are also conveniently located near the port areas of Coron and El Nido.
BOOK YOUR SEATCoron to El Nido via Island Water
The newest player to enter the Coron to El Nido market is Island Water.
Since they are a relatively young company, Island Water has some of the newest vessels in the industry.
Island Water seemingly embraces its identity as a transport service provider to the country’s island destinations, offering regular trips to the famous Puerto Galera from Batangas, south of Luzon. With their latest offering – Coron to El Nido and vice versa, the company has now entered the foray in Palawan.
Island Water’s Coron to El Nido trips cost PHP2,800 (USD48), similar to its competitors. One edge it does have over the others is the option for an upgrade to business class cabin and seating, PHP3,200 (USD55). This gives travelers reclinable and larger seats, a more premium cabin, and overall more pleasant experience during the 3 to 4.5-hour trip between Coron and El Nido.
Luggage allowance is pegged at 15 kg per passenger but there’s always the option of paying PHP25 (USD0.40) per kilogram of excess luggage.
Coron to El Nido via AirSwift
Finally, the fastest, albeit most expensive way to get from Coron to El Nido is to take a short plane ride onboard AirSwift.
This boutique airline flies daily from Coron to El Nido and back.
Coron to El Nido flights are scheduled to leave at 10:50 AM, arriving in El Nido a mere 30 minutes later. Flights from El Nido leave at 09:40 AM daily.
Travelers from Coron to El Nido via AirSwift can expect to pay more compared to those traveling by sea given the savings in time and the convenience.
The following table summarizes the different companies offering transport services from Coron to El Nido and back:
| Company | Schedule | Coron – El Nido | El Nido – Coron | Travel Time | Regular Fare (as of August 2024) |
| Jomalia Shipping | Daily | 06:00 AM | 12:00 NN | 3.5 – 4.5 hours | PHP2,800 (USD48) |
| Montenegro Shipping Line | M-W-F-Su | 07:30 AM | 12:30 PM | 3.5 – 4.5 hours | PHP2,800 (USD48) |
| Atienza Shipping | Daily | 07:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 3.5 – 4.5 hours | PHP2,800 (USD48) |
| Island Water | Daily | 12:00 NN | 07:00 AM | 3.5 – 4.5 hours | PHP2,800 (USD48) |
| AirSwift | Daily | 10:50 AM | 09:40 AM | 30 minutes | PHP4,500+ (USD78) |
Getting around Palawan
Once in El Nido, travelers can explore the rest of Palawan onboard Cherry Bus’ new and comfortable buses. The fares for these premium buses are the same as those of smaller vans or shuttles. For the same price, Cherry Bus Palawan passengers can expect a whole new level of safety and comfort because of the bigger legroom, professional drivers, speed limiters, and clean onboard water closet/toilet.
Even better, there’s no need to risk paying for cramped seats on shady vans because travelers can easily book their Cherry Bus seats online.
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