El Nido to Coron Expedition FAQ

Before you Book

How much does the El Nido to Coron expedition cost?

From ₱19,000 per person for three days and two nights for travel until 31 October. For travel from 1 November 2026 the rate is ₱19,800. Both include all meals, both nights of basic accommodation, snorkelling equipment, guide and crew, and the environmental fees for Linapacan and Culion. El Nido charges ₱400 and Coron ₱200 ETDF respectively, each collected locally when you enter and stay there. The same price applies in either direction.

What is included, and what is not?

Included: all meals, two nights in a bahay kubo, snorkelling equipment, life jackets, a DOT-accredited guide and crew, limited complimentary drinks, and the environmental fees for Linapacan and Culion. Not included: El Nido's ₱400 and Coron's ₱200 environmental fees, beers, airport transfers and travel insurance.

How many guests are on each expedition?

Our boats take 22 to 26 guests, depending on the vessel. Groups are mixed — solo travellers, couples and small groups, from many countries and age ranges.

Is the crossing between El Nido and Coron rough?

Conditions are generally calmest in April and May, and choppier from December to March. The crew adjust the route daily to the sea and the weather, and expeditions sail only when the Coast Guard permits. If you are prone to seasickness, bring anti-motion sickness medication and take it before boarding.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

No. Life jackets are provided and used as the crew instruct. Some islands have no pier, so you may wade, swim a short distance, or go ashore by kayak. The crew are in the water at every snorkelling stop.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

Yes. The boat has a toilet with a bucket flush — simple, and cleaned throughout the day. The island camps also have toilets and showers.

What are the toilets and showers like at the camps?

The camps have toilets and showers with running water, kept clean but simple. Expect a bucket and dipper rather than a hot shower, following the traditional Filipino tabo practice. The camps are beachfront and basic by design.

What is the food like, and can you cater for dietary requirements?

All meals are included and cooked fresh by our crew — three a day, plus snacks, purified water, juice, tea and coffee. Much of the produce comes from our own farm at Kaseledan in Sibaltan. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free requirements are handled with advance notice; tell us when you book rather than on the day.

I'm travelling alone. Is that all right?

Yes, and many guests do. Solo travellers are given two separate beds in a hut rather than sharing a bed. Three days on a small boat tends to turn a group of strangers into something closer by the second evening.

Is the expedition suitable for children or older travellers?

Children aged five and above are welcome on the El Nido–Coron expedition. Our upper age limit is 70. The trip involves wading ashore, sleeping in simple beachfront huts and three days on a boat, so guests should be comfortable with that.

What is the fastest way to get from El Nido to Coron?

Flying is the fastest way. The fast ferry takes about three and a half hours. Our expedition takes three days and treats the crossing as the trip rather than the transfer, through islands the ferry passes at speed.

Can I charge my phone, and will I have signal?

There is electricity at the camps for around four to five hours in the evening, so bring a power bank. Mobile signal is patchy to absent for most of the route and there is no wifi. Tell anyone who needs to reach you before you leave.

How much luggage can I bring?

There is no weight limit. Large bags stay on the boat for the whole expedition and can be accessed during the daytime. Pack a small overnight bag for the camps, and a dry bag for anything that must stay dry.

Meeting & Drop-off

What time does the expedition depart?

Guests meet at 7:30 AM on day one — at our office in Lio, Villa Libertad, El Nido, or at Coron Port. From El Nido the boat leaves San Fernando port between 9:30 and 10:00 AM, after the 45-minute transfer across the island. From Coron the boat leaves between 8:30 and 9:00 AM, once Coast Guard and port clearance is complete.

What time will we arrive?

The expedition arrives at around 5:00 PM on day three — at Coron Port travelling north, or at San Fernando port travelling south, followed by a 45-minute jeepney to TownSquare, El Nido.

Where do I meet the team for El Nido → Coron?

Keelooma Office, Lio Villa Libertad, El Nido

https://maps.app.goo.gl/vDxenXuqa45oDLTJ6

Where is the drop-off for El Nido → Coron?

Coron Port

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xhbAEwiSw8J9bPT88

Where do I meet the team for Coron → El Nido?

Coron Port

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xhbAEwiSw8J9bPT88

Where is the drop-off for Coron → El Nido?

TownSquare Heritage District, El Nido

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ncuy3NCz4XD5uGJ69

Where do the El Nido to Coron expeditions leave from?

Our three-day expeditions depart from San Fernando port on El Nido's east coast, not from El Nido town. Boats usually leave between 9:30 and 10:00 AM, after guests staying in town are transferred across the island — about 45 minutes. Guests staying in Sibaltan are ten minutes from the port.

Itinerary

What does the daily itinerary look like?

The three-day expedition covers remote islands between El Nido and Coron, with two or three stops each day for swimming and snorkelling. Travelling north: day one east El Nido and south Linapacan, day two central Linapacan, day three Culion and Coron. Travelling south, the same route reversed.

What is the proposed itinerary from El Nido → Coron?

Day 1: East El Nido and South Linapacan
Day 2: Central Linapacan
Day 3: Culion and Coron

What is the proposed itinerary from Coron → El Nido?

Day 1: Culion and Coron
Day 2: Central Linapacan
Day 3: East El Nido and South Linapacan

Will we visit the exact islands listed in the itinerary?

Not necessarily. The exact islands and stops are decided on the day based on prevailing weather, wind, currents, and tide conditions.

The areas may include locations for snorkeling, kayaking, and sea turtle watching, depending on weather conditions.

Do you visit popular tourist spots and lagoons?

The El Nido–Coron expedition does not visit El Nido's lagoons or Coron's lakes. It goes to remote islands in Linapacan and Culion instead, where there are usually few other boats. For the lagoons, take our El Nido island hopping day tour.

Payment

How do I pay the remaining balance?

A deposit is paid online by card or e-wallet. The balance is paid in cash — at our El Nido office on the morning of departure for El Nido–Coron trips, or at our Coron office at least one day before departure for Coron–El Nido trips.

Can I pay by card or e-wallet?

Yes. We accept credit cards, debit cards, and e-wallets for deposit payments.

The remaining balance is payable in cash.

Can I pay for the full trip in advance?

Yes. You can pay in full through our website or in person at either of our offices. Credit card payments may incur an additional processing fee.

Can I board the boat if I have not fully paid?

No. Only guests who have fully settled their required payment can board the boat.

Cancellation & Refund

What is your cancellation policy?

7 days or more before departure: Full refund, less PHP 1,000 admin fee per person.
72 hours to 7 days before departure: 50% refund, less PHP 1,000 admin fee per person.
24–72 hours before departure: 25% refund, less PHP 1,000 admin fee per person.
Less than 24 hours before departure: No refund.

What happens if the Coast Guard cancels the trip due to bad weather?

Guests may choose between:

A full refund of their deposit, or
Rebooking to another available date.

Weather

Will the expedition continue if the weather is bad?

Expeditions between El Nido and Coron sail only when weather and Coast Guard advisories permit. Our crew adjust each day's route to the sea rather than following a fixed itinerary. If the Coast Guard prevents a departure, guests choose a full refund of the deposit or rebooking to another date.

What to Bring

Swimwear, light clothes, a dry bag, sun protection, insect repellent, a power bank, any medication, a towel, and cash for the environmental fees. Pack a small overnight bag for the camps; large bags stay on the boat and can be accessed during the day.

Where can I keep my valuables and electronic devices?

Devices may be stored in the captain's cabin and should be properly endorsed to the tour guide.

Accommodation

What type of accommodation is provided?

Both nights of the expedition are spent in a bahay kubo — a traditional beachfront hut of bamboo and nipa — at island camps reachable only by boat. Each has a mattress, pillow, blanket and mosquito net, and is shared by two guests.

What is included in the hut?

Each hut includes:

Mattress
Pillow
Blanket
Mosquito net

How many people share one hut?

Huts are generally shared by 2 guests.

Will couples share one bed?

Yes. Couples will share one bed.

Can 3 people stay in one hut?

A 3-person hut is not guaranteed and depends on availability.

Can I upgrade my accommodation?

No. Accommodation upgrades are not available.

Food and Drinks

What meals are provided?

Three meals a day plus snacks, cooked fresh on board by our crew. Purified water, juice, tea and coffee throughout. Much of the produce comes from our own farm at Kaseledan in Sibaltan, ten minutes from San Fernando port.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Limited complimentary drinks such as rum, gin, and soft drinks are available.

Are beers included?

No. Beers are sold separately. Please inform us beforehand if you would like to purchase beers.

Can I bring my own alcoholic drinks?

Yes. You may bring your own drinks, and there is no corkage fee.

Atmosphere & Vibe

What is the atmosphere like during the expedition?

The overall atmosphere depends on the group, including the age and personality of the guests.

The expedition is designed for guests who enjoy a relaxed, social, remote, and nature-focused experience.

Travel Insurance

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes — valid travel insurance is required for every guest. Make sure it covers boat travel, snorkelling, and trip disruption, including missed connections and cancellations caused by weather.

This matters more in Palawan than in most places. Flights to Lio and Busuanga are small aircraft and are cancelled in poor visibility. Ferries between El Nido and Coron are cancelled in rough seas. Neither we nor the airlines refund the onward costs when that happens — insurance does.

Changes & Rebooking

Can I rebook my trip?

Yes. Rebooking is allowed up to 24 hours before departure and is subject to availability.

Is the first rebooking free?

Yes. The first rebooking is free.

Subsequent rebookings are subject to a PHP 1,000 admin fee per guest, per rebooking.

Does rebooking to a later date reset my cancellation period?

No. Rebooking to a later date does not reset or extend the original cancellation period.

What happens if I rebook to an earlier date?

If you rebook to an earlier date, the cancellation period will follow the new departure date.

Can I reduce the number of guests in my booking?

Yes, but reducing the number of guests is treated as a cancellation for the removed guests. Applicable cancellation fees will therefore apply.

ETDF (Eco-Tourism Development Fee)

What is the ETDF?

The ETDF is a mandatory environmental fee for protected areas. It helps support:

Environmental protection

Infrastructure

Community projects

Do I need to pay the ETDF again?

If you have already joined an island-hopping tour and your ETDF is still valid, you may not need to pay it again.

Please keep your actual ETDF receipt as proof of payment.

How long is the ETDF valid?

The validity period is 5 days upon the issuance of the ETDF ticket

Is the ETDF included in the expedition package?

The environmental fees for Linapacan and Culion are included in the expedition price. El Nido charges its own Eco-Tourism Development Fee of ₱400 and Coron ₱200, each collected locally when you enter and stay in that municipality. Keep your receipt — El Nido's is valid for five days.

Safety

Are life jackets provided?

Yes. Life jackets are provided on every Keelooma expedition and day tour and should be used as the crew instruct. You do not need to be a strong swimmer — the crew are in the water at every snorkelling stop.

What are the safety rules?

For everyone's safety:

Follow all crew instructions.
Wear/use safety equipment as instructed.
Respect marine life and the environment.
Unsafe or disruptive behavior may result in removal from the trip.

Pick-up & Transportation

Do you provide airport pick-up?

Airport transfers are not included. A tricycle from El Nido town to our office in Lio costs around ₱250; from Coron Port into Coron town is around ₱200.

Can I request an alternative pick-up or drop-off location?

Alternative pick-up or drop-off arrangements may be possible depending on the location and availability. Additional costs may apply.

Please inquire with our team in advance.

Collaborations

Who should I contact for collaboration requests?

Please send your details, media kit, and collaboration proposal to:

info@keelooma.com

Additional Information

What kind of experience should I expect?

The El Nido–Coron expedition is a three-day trip through remote islands, with basic facilities, little or no mobile signal, and nights ashore in beachfront huts. It suits guests who want nature, swimming and time away from a schedule rather than resort comfort.