Guide to Visiting Barracuda Lake, Coron
Your 2020 Updated Guide to Visiting Barracuda Lake, Coron
In recent years, Coron has gained the attention of the international tourist scene for its majestic beaches, rock formations, and eco-tourism. For the many tourists that go here, it always feels like living your best islander life, away from the distractions of the city.
Despite gaining the recognition it deserves, Coron has still maintained its charms and secret spots without the enduring crowds. One of those beautiful lesser-known gems is Barracuda Lake, with its aquamarine waters set against a limestone backdrop. Compared to the more popular Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake attracts smaller crowds but offers sceneries just as beautiful as its famous counterparts.
What makes Barracuda Lake different?
Barracuda Lake, or locally known as Luluyuan Lake, is named for the barracuda skeleton that was discovered at the bottom of its waters many years ago. However, barracudas are now rarely found in the lake (it’s perfectly safe for diving!), and the presence of this fish is not what makes Barracuda Lake special.
Aside from its majestic views, what makes Barracuda Lake a truly unique experience for divers is something called a thermocline. This rare phenomenon means that at the surface, the water’s temperature is normal at about 28ºC, but once you go down at 14 meters deep, the water turns salty and is a nice warm temperature. Once you go further down, the water becomes cool again.
Swimming between the haloclines, or the boundaries between temperatures, is something worth trying here in Barracuda Lake. The different haloclines also layer the blue-green waters of this lake, making for a great photo-op.
A scenic view of Barracuda Lake. Photo by John Hernandez on Unsplash.
Aside from its majestic views, what makes Barracuda Lake a truly unique experience for divers is something called a thermocline. This rare phenomenon means that at the surface, the water’s temperature is normal at about 28ºC, but once you go down at 14 meters deep, the water turns salty and is a nice warm temperature. Once you go further down, the water becomes cool again.
Swimming between the haloclines, or the boundaries between temperatures, is something worth trying here in Barracuda Lake. The different haloclines also layer the blue-green waters of this lake, making for a great photo-op.
How to Get to Barracuda Lake
Barracuda Lake is located in Coron Island, a small island separated from the mainland Coron Town along the upper waters of Palawan. The primary gateway to the Coron Islands is through the Busuanga Airport (USU). Different airlines such as Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific offer frequent Manila-Busuanga flights. PAL also operates Clark-Busuanga and Cebu-Busuanga flights.
Depending on your airline and your availed amenities, the fare for a one-way Manila-Busuanga trip is around P2,200-P3,800. It usually takes 50 minutes to reach the Busuanga Airport from Manila. If you’re planning your Coron trip ahead, don’t forget to check out your airline’s promo fares to score roundtrip airfares for as low as P2,400.
Other than flying, you can also try the ferry routes operating from Manila or from Puerto Princesa and other parts of Palawan. From either Manila or Puerto Princesa, the trip to the Coron pier takes around 15 hours.
Once you’ve reached Coron Town, you can hail a private boat to Coron Island which can bring you directly to Barracuda Lake.
When’s the Best Time to Visit?
It is ideal to visit Barracuda Lake and the rest of Coron during the hot months of February to May. This way, you can do all the water activities on your itinerary without worrying too much about the rains. A good rule is to avoid trips on the wet months of June to September when the weather is rainy and unpredictable.
If you don’t like going on the busy days (who does?), you should avoid the months of March and May. These are peak months because of several global holidays during these months, increasing the influx of both local and foreign tourists.
We recommend the months of February, April, and November when visiting Coron. These months have great weather and are relatively the quietest, so you can enjoy your Coron trip with the island all to yourselves.
Where to Stay in Coron
When on a trip to Coron, tourists usually opt to stay in accommodations in Coron Town because they are much more convenient, cheaper and easier to book than accommodations in the different Coron Islands.
Due to a recent rise in the popularity of this tourist destination, Coron now offers several housing options. Ranging from budget-friendly hostels to 5-star hotels, there’s a place for you in beautiful Coron.
Renting an Airbnb is also a great option when staying in Coron. We recommend staying in Palawan Island Seafront Inn, a quaint hostel-type housing with a convenient location near Coron Port in Coron Town. Enjoy seaside views and the cool breeze in Seafront Inn’s homey nipa-based rooms.
What to Do in Barracuda Lake
- Diving and Snorkeling. Swimming through the different layers of water in Barracuda Lake is truly the unique experience that drives many aspiring divers to this area. Diving down to the depths rewards you with amazing views of underwater cliffs and even some colorful marine life.
- Sightseeing. You don’t have to go underwater to enjoy Barracuda Lake, because the views above sea level are just as enchanting. Have a nice picnic with a picturesque background of towering limestone formations.
- Boat riding. Hiring a private boat ride (or a convenient group tour) with a friendly tour guide is the perfect way to relax and get up-close views of the beauty of Barracuda Lake and explore the area.
Explore Barracuda Lake with a friendly guide.
Photo by Koem Rathbormey
Barracuda Lake is a must-visit destination on your next trip to Coron. This place has it all: crystal-clear waters, glorious rock formations, rich marine life, and the absence of overwhelming crowds. When you visit Barracuda Lake, time flies so fast.
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