Forget stopping by, the best way to make the most of Coron Island’s turquoise water is to sleep on top of it.
It doesn’t get much cooler than a collection of houseboats floating in the middle of a lagoon in the Philippines. You can opt for a simple private room, but when there’s an entire houseboat on offer and that houseboat has glass fold-away doors for walls, you book it (good choice).
Put ‘stumble out of bed and straight into the crystal-clear water’ on your to-do list, along with snorkelling the massive coral garden at the lagoon’s entrance, speedboating to Kayangan Lake and exploring nearby Banul Beach. Oh, and sweet bugger all; put that on there too.
The floating accommodation feels wonderfully disconnected from the rest of the world.
Paolyn Houseboats sits tucked away in one of Coron’s impossibly beautiful coves, surrounded by limestone cliffs, jungle-covered hills and water so clear you’ll spend an embarrassing amount of time staring into it. The floating accommodation feels wonderfully disconnected from the rest of the world, helped by the fact that there are no roads, no traffic and very little to do besides swim, snorkel, eat and admire the scenery.
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The houseboats themselves are delightfully simple. Timber interiors, open-air living spaces and those giant fold-away doors blur the line between indoors and outdoors, meaning you’ll spend most of your stay feeling like you’re living directly on the water. Which, technically, you are.
When you’re not floating around the lagoon, Coron delivers plenty of adventure. Kayangan Lake, often described as one of the clearest lakes in Asia, is within easy reach, while nearby reefs are packed with colourful marine life. There are hidden beaches to discover, secret coves to paddle through and enough snorkelling spots to keep even the most dedicated water babies occupied.
But honestly, the biggest challenge here is deciding whether to spend the afternoon swimming, reading a book on your deck or doing absolutely nothing at all.
As far as problems go, that’s a pretty good one to have.
Why It Exists
To give travellers a front-row seat to Coron’s spectacular lagoons and marine life by putting them directly on the water.
The Vibe
It’s a tropical castaway fantasy mixed with a floating hotel, where the days revolve around swimming, snorkelling and not checking the time.
Your Bed Tonight
A floating houseboat with fold-away glass walls, uninterrupted lagoon views and the water quite literally at your doorstep.
The Thing You’ll Brag About Later
Diving straight from your room into one of the clearest lagoons in the Philippines.
Eat / Drink This
Fresh seafood enjoyed on deck as the sun disappears behind Coron’s dramatic limestone cliffs.
Steal This Local Move
Get out on the water early before the day-trippers arrive and you’ll have parts of the lagoon almost entirely to yourself.
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