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Cairo to the Philippines: Manila, El Nido and Coron

Cairo → Manila → El Nido → Coron

Coron Island
"Coron_island_-_Straight_out_of_a_dream.jpg" by Nicko Melendres, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Cityscape of Manila, 2025 (01) (Manila)
Photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Palawan island hopping Best season (general guide): Dec–May

Palawan, the long island province in the far west of the Philippines, has some of the most striking coastal scenery in Southeast Asia. This route from Cairo flies via a Gulf hub to Manila, stops for a night, and then heads straight to the northern Palawan towns of El Nido and Coron, joined by boat. The itinerary spends one night in Manila, four nights in El Nido and three nights in Coron.

El Nido is reached by a direct domestic flight to its small airport. The town looks out over Bacuit Bay, where limestone islands rise straight from the sea, and the standard island-hopping tours visit lagoons, hidden beaches and snorkelling spots by outrigger boat. After four nights there, a ferry heads north-east through the Calamian islands to Coron. Coron's highlights include Kayangan Lake, the Twin Lagoons and the Japanese shipwrecks from the Second World War, which divers come especially to see. The trip home leaves from Busuanga airport near Coron town, so you don't need to backtrack.

Most guides recommend the dry season, from about December to May, for calm seas and reliable boat trips. The southwest monsoon from around June brings heavier rain, and some tours or ferries may be cancelled. Expect crowds and higher demand around Christmas and Holy Week.

Island-hopping tours around El Nido are commonly sold as lettered routes (A, B, C and D) that visit different lagoons and beaches. Only one runs per day, so spread two or three over several days if you want to see more of the bay. Visitors pay environmental fees in both areas. The ferry crossing to Coron takes several hours and depends on the weather, so leave a spare day before your flight from Busuanga in case it's delayed. Pack a dry bag for the boat days, as spray and sudden showers are common.

Suggested outline

  1. Cairo

    Start

  2. Manila

    By air · 1 night suggested

    One night on arrival before the domestic flight.

    Manila
    "Cityscape_of_Manila,_2025_(01).jpg" by Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

  3. El Nido

    By air · 4 nights suggested

    Four nights for Bacuit Bay island-hopping. Flights land at El Nido airport (ENI).

  4. Coron

    By ferry · 3 nights suggested

    Reached by ferry from El Nido. Three nights; Busuanga airport (USU) for the flight home.

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Manila — Arrive in Manila· Cairo → Manila (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · El Nido — Fly to El Nido· Manila → El Nido (by air)
  3. Day 3 · El Nido — Island-hopping tour
  4. Day 4 · El Nido — Another lettered tour
  5. Day 5 · El Nido — Free day on Bacuit Bay
  6. Day 6 · Coron — Ferry to Coron· El Nido → Coron (by ferry)
  7. Day 7 · Coron — Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoons
  8. Day 8 · Coron — Wreck dive or snorkel
  9. Day 9 · Coron — Travel home from Coron· Coron → Busuanga (overland), then Busuanga → Cairo (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Manila

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El Nido

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Coron

Nearest airport: Busuanga

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