Coron is renowned for its WW2 wreck-diving; amazing island-hopping tours and karst landscapes. Whilst these are all awesome, most of these experiences can be explored from Coron Town Proper. This leaves the rest of the island largely undiscovered and perfect for exploring! If you are looking to venture further into this tropical island and do something out of the ordinary, look no further than the abandoned plane wreck in Coron!
This adventure is the perfect way to see more of the island; do something different and get away from the typical tourist trail without blowing your budget. Check out the table of contents below to skip to your preferred section, or read from the top to get the full guide on exploring the abandoned plane wreck in Coron.
About the Abandoned Plane Wreck in Coron
The plane wreck in Coron is a curious one.
We know that it’s a seaplane: a Grumann HU-16 Albatross used by the US Air Force, Navy and Coastguard. It has a wingspan of around 30m and a total length of around 19m.
But how it arrived is a mystery… and has left people head-scratching as to why there’s an abandoned plane wreck in Coron!
One suggestion (and the most likely) is that it crash-landed near the lagoon and has been abandoned since because of the cost of repairs. The wreckage was then towed further into the bay and positioned across the water for future use as a floating restaurant for tourists. Rumours of this conversion have continued for years however there’s no obvious sign of any upcoming plans for development…
Where is the Abandoned Plane Wreck?
The simple answer to where the plane wreck is located is in the province of Palawan del Norte in the Philippines.
More specifically, the plane wreck is on the opposite shore to the Marina del Sol Resort and Yacht Club. You could say it’s hidden in plain sight 😉.
Technically this is situated in the Busuanga municipality on the west side of Busuanga Island. However, the island is often referred to as Coron because the majority of the population lives in Coron Town Proper on the east side (the Coron municipality). So while the wreckage may be in Busuanga, it’s easier to say it’s in Coron (especially given how close it is to the Busuanga-Coron border).
How to get to the Abandoned Plane Wreck in Coron?
Most people will be travelling from the main town of Coron in the southeast of the island.
The best way to get to the plane wreck is by renting a scooter in Coron Town Proper. It costs around 500PHP per day. There is one main road (Coron – Busuanga Road) that covers most of the south of the island. Follow the road to the Marina del Sol Resort and Yacht Club. The drive takes just under an hour from Coron Town Proper.
Once you reach the resort, you can rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards to paddle over to the wreckage. It takes 10-15 minutes to kayak from the resort to the seaplane.
This is the only way to access the abandoned plane wreck in Coron since there is no road access from the other side.
NOTE: You don’t need to be a guest at the resort to rent equipment.
My Experience Visiting the Abandoned Plane Wreck in Coron
Getting there
I first heard about the abandoned plane from a local when asking for recommendations for activities that wouldn’t need advanced booking. A group of us had arrived on Coron earlier that morning having taken the overnight ferry from Manila and wanted to make the most of the remainder of the day.
With very little to go on, we thought that even if we couldn’t find the plane it would be fun renting mopeds and seeing more of the island!
After negotiating a cheaper price for moped rental (since it wasn’t a full day), we set off!
Before we even reached the resort, the drive from Coron Town Proper was beautiful. Empty winding roads through lush, green rural areas made a pleasant change from my previous stop in Manila! We filled up on fuel from a lady selling bottled petrol at the side of the road!
Alas, about 15 minutes before the resort, a massive storm passed over completely drenching us… We waddled into the luxury resort looking like wet cats…
But just as quickly as the storm arrived, the sky cleared again and we were out getting ready to paddle over.
Exploring the Plane Wreck
It was a short 10-minute paddle across still waters to reach the wreck. We did a complete loop of the seaplane to check it out before pulling up to the side for a closer inspection.
There are missing propellors and the insides have been completely stripped out, yet we were still amazed at how intact it was. As you would expect, the outside of the seaplane was beginning to show signs of weathering, particularly as the sea levels change leaving different parts of the plane exposed.
When the tide is low, the mangroves will be exposed and you will be able to see most of the floor of the main cabin. At higher tides, the water levels reach halfway up the fuselage. We visited near high tide which made it easy to hop out of the kayaks and onto the roof of the seaplane.
On top of the plane, we can walked to the end of each wingtip to feel the wing wobble. We carefully made our way to the stabiliser at the back as well as the cockpit at the front. If you want to go inside, you can climb through the window in the cockpit from above, or use one of the side entrances to the plane.
NOTE: Be careful as it can be slippery and there may be more sharp edges here.
After Exploring
Overall it wasn’t a very time-consuming activity. Once you’ve kayaked to this side of the bay, there is not much else to see besides the seaplane. We relaxed for a while on the top of the plane and explored the mangroves by kayak. If you have a drone, this is a great time to get some epic shots!
Eventually, it was time to head back to shore to return the kayaks. We paddled back and left the kayaks tied up at the dock. The resort very kindly sorts them out for you.
The resort is a lovely place to chill and relax after the adventure! There is a stunning swimming pool as well as a restaurant and bar. We quite easily could’ve spent a few hours here, but it was time to scoot on back to Coron!
FAQs
How much does it cost to explore the plane wreck in Coron?
Visiting the plane wreckage itself is free of charge, however, you will need to pay for a kayak or SUP rental.
From the Marine del Sol Resort, kayak hire is 150PHP (£2.15) for 1 hour or 250PHP for 2 hours.
Add in the cost of your scooter rental for the day of approximately 500PHP.
What to wear to explore the plane wreck in Coron?
To kayak over to the plane wreck you should wear a swimsuit as you may get splashed while kayaking, or simply decide to go for a swim.
Consider wearing a top covering your shoulders and a hat to stay protected from the sun. Sunglasses are also useful as it gets quite bright on the water because of the reflections.
If you intend to climb on top of or inside the plane wreck, wet shoes are sensible to protect your feet. I wore flip-flops and decided to take them off and leave them in the kayak because they were no use…
What to bring to explore the plane wreck in Coron?
Besides clothing, for the day you should also bring:
- Cash for kayak/SUP rental: 250PHP max.
- Towel: Preferably a microfibre towel that dries quickly.
- Dry bag: Ideal for storing your belongings on the kayak.
- Suncream: I shouldn’t have to explain suncream….
- Water and snacks: 2 litres should be enough for the day, but you can always buy more at the resort.
- Camera: GoPro or other adventure cameras.
- Change of clothes: You don’t want to ride a bike back in wet shorts.
NOTE: We locked away any belongings we didn’t need in our bikes (helmets, trainers) and carried the rest onboard the kayaks.
Can you Climb on the Abandoned Plane Wreck in Coron?
There are currently no rules in place about exploring the abandoned plane wreckage. At the resort, we were told you were able to go inside and climb on top.
Is Exploring the Abandoned Plane Wreck in Coron Safe?
Climbing on top of an abandoned plane wreck may seem sketchy, so it’s valid to question if it’s safe.
In all honesty, I highly doubt if there’s been any kind of safety inspection on the plane. However, the resort was perfectly content with people exploring and actively encouraged people to check it out.
The plane wreckage in Coron has been there for a number of years, so it’s unlikely for anything seriously unexpected or bad to happen (I hope). The biggest danger nowadays comes from any sharp edges or loose parts, so be careful if climbing on or going through the plane.
If you do decide to climb on the seaplane, stick to the main structure where there aren’t sections that could come loose beneath you. Anything that looks like it isn’t part of the main fuselage is a no-go.
Ultimately, you should proceed with caution and take responsibility for your own well-being.
Where to Stay in Coron
Best Hostel: HOP Hostel
Long-established as the best hostel in Coron Town Proper, HOP Hostel offers a clean, fresh feel. Plus it has a fantastic rooftop bar overlooking the sea where you can watch the sunset. It’s a great place to have a drink, meet new people, and chat about your day exploring the abandoned plane!
NOTE: Book in advance as this hostel often sells out during the high season.
Budget Private Room: JMP Hostel
JMP Hostel doesn’t boast the facilities or social side of other hostels. However, if you are looking for your own space to decompress and get a good sleep for a reasonable price, JMP Hostel will provide it.
Where to go after Coron
After spending a few days on the island of Coron, the next destination in the Philippines is usually El Nido, the most popular spot in the Palawan province. The area offers similarly spectacular boat trips around nearby islands as well as more beaches on the mainland. The best way to get from Coron to El Nido is by ferry.
Alternatively, you could head in the opposite direction from Coron and go towards the capital city of Manila. From here you can explore the city or fly elsewhere in the Philippines.
Before you go
Thank you for reading my guide to the plane wreck in Coron, Philippines. If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.
If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures, and why I wanted to become a travel writer.
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Happy travelling!
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