Malcapuya Island
Coron, Philippines
Powder-soft white sand, gently swaying coconut palms, and gin-clear turquoise waters make Malcapuya Island something dreams are made of. Apart from a viewpoint, caves, hidden coves, and a fresh coconut stand, there’s not a great deal to this little islet in Coron’s Calamian archipelago. So it’s perfect for lazy afternoons of sun, sea, and sand.
The basics
Malcapuya Island is uninhabited, so the only way to reach it is on a tour or private charter. While it’s much closer to Culion Island than to Busuanga Island, Busuanga’s Coron Town is the starting point for most tours. Almost all Coron island-hopping tours follow one of four routes (A, B, C, or D), and Malcapuya Island is on Tour C. Tours usually include the island entrance fee, but if you’re visiting independently you’ll need to bring Philippine pesos in cash.
Things to know before you go
Malcapuya Island is ideal for photographers, social media mavens, and beach lovers.
Most tours spend an hour or less on the island, but you could easily spend longer.
The island has restrooms but they are basic. Don’t expect paper or running water.
The boats that operate Coron island-hopping tours are not accessible to wheelchairs or strollers.
How to get there
Malcapuya Island is in the Calamian archipelago, part of Palawan province, which travelers usually call Coron after Coron Town, its tourist epicenter. It sits near Banana Island and Bulog Dos Island off the southeast coast of Culion Island. The only way there is by boat and most boat charters and organized tours start from Coron Town on Busuanga Island.
When to get there
The weather in the Calamians is sunniest between January and April, while June through mid-October is generally wet. Avoid July and August, when rain tips down, and the Christmas, New Year, and Easter vacations, which are busy and expensive. Malcapuya Island is rarely crowded and is a nice stop for a picnic lunch.
Picking the right Coron island-hopping tour
If you’re planning a trip to Coron, you’re likely trying to sift through the menu of island-hopping tours. Both Tour A and Tour B visit Twin Lagoon and center on Coron Island; choose one depending on whether Kayangan Lake or Barracuda Lake is more your speed. Tour C explores the south of Culion Island and is a great choice for beach lovers. Tour D centers on the north of Culion Island and is ideal for snorkelers, as it visits the World War II Lusong Gunboat wreck.
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