The Calamian Islands

The Calamian Islands

the Calamian Islands
Situated off the northern edge of mainland Palawan are the Calamian Islands, numbering a few hundred, this is a great area for island hopping, kayaking, diving and trekking the largest Island being Busuanga. The mysterious island of Coron lies just to the southeast with its magnificent limestone cliffs, Coron is undeveloped. It is when you get close to them in a banca that they reveal dozens of perfect little coves, hidden in the folds of the mountains. Tribes still live in the interior, and if you decide to take the steep but short climb to the islands volcanic Cayangan lake you will not only be meet with a beautiful place to swim, but also a great dive spot. You really could spend your whole life here and still not see every hot spring,hidden lake or special little cove.
South of Busuanga is a facinating large island called Culion this was the home of a former leper colony, the facinating part is the wonderful museum that is open to visitors
In August 1976 former President Ferdinand Marcos sat under a tree (you can sit under that self same tree, as it is still there) to sign Executive Order 1578, creating the wild life sanctuary that brought hundreds of African animals and dozens of rare Philippine species to the island of Calauit, this is situated north of Busuanga.

...Japanese shipwrecks in the Coron area are what most divers come for. There are over 20 wrecks but only 11 are divable or have been found, all sunk by U.S. aircraft on September 24, 1944. The IRAKO, still almost intact and home to turtles, groupers, moray eels and lion fish, with spines that can deliver a hefty dose of poison. The AKITSUSHIMA, which lies on her side at 34mts deep, you require a wreck diving certificate before going inside due to the sharp edges and pipes, you will see huge sholes of barracuda and giant batfish. The KOGYO MARU, a freighter, carring a concrete mixer and small bulldozer, 34mts deep. The MORAZAN MARU, another freighter but not so deep 28mts, giant batfish, puffer fish the size of footballs, and banana fish are a few you can expect too see, an easier dive suitable for beginners, easy to get into the holds. These are just a few of the dives that make this area the best wreck diving area in the Philippines, and one of the best in the world

Most visitors arrive at the small airport on Busuanga, or by ferry at Caron Town, which is the main settlement on the island. There are a few budget accommodations scattered around the town, and the more expensive in the resorts on the islands The waters around the Calamians are a feeding ground for the Dugong and trips can be arranged to go to try to see this mermaid of the sea, this very gentle creature that is seriously endangered
CORON TOWN Busuangas main town is a little fishing community, situated on the south west coast, there is no beach, but the close proximity to the Japanese wrecks in the nearby bays has inspired many scuba divers to make the journey here. If you wish a beach there are so many, on all the islands, just hire a banca and head of to the island of your choice
Seaair and Asian Spirit both have regular flights to Busuanga. There is a little grass airstrip with a small terminal building and few sari-sari stores around half an hour north of Caron (about 100 peso )by jeepney called YKR Airport
WG&A and Sulpicio ferries arrive at the pier east of Caron. WG&A ticket office TEL:- 0919/540 1695
Carons town centre is around the Bayside Divers Lodge pier, where you can charter bancas. Opposite is Sea Canoe, an eco minded firm that offers kayaking and camping trips around the islands. If you have come here for the diving, ABC divers is on the ground floor of Bayside, there are around five other dive establishments, mostly to the west of the market, there is Swagman Travel next door to the Western Union office and adjacent to Pascuel Video, which has internet access.There is only one bank in town, be warned it does not change money or travellers cheques and has no ATM

This article will be continued soon, when we will give information on Calauit, the endangered mermaids(Dugong), Culion and the Cuyo Islands, which are in the middle of nowhere and have no resorts, this is a new frontier for tourists, and has no tourist infrastructure.. what a wonderful place to go then..see you there