Culion Island is one of the Calamian Islands in Palawan Province of the Philippines. The main town is also called Culion. The municipality includes about 40 smaller islands.

The municipality of Culion as seen from an outlook at the local hillside

During much of the 20th century, Culion was a leper colony.

Cities

The main town is named eponymous to the island, Culion.

Understand

The former leper colony is still mostly off the beaten track, which gives it a very pleasing backwater feeling. Especially when arriving from Coron one can definitely feel the gain in tranquility and ease of people living there. Also remarkable is an additional yet authentic friendliness of people towards visitors.

Get in

By boat

Montenegro Lines operates three passenger ferry connections per day, leaving Coron port at 6am, 10am and 2pm. The trip duration is about one hour, a one way ticket is priced 279 Pisos (updated Nov 2018). The return trips from Culion back to Coron leave at 8am, noon (12), and 4pm.

Get around

Everything within the city is at easy walking distance. Tricycles are also available.

More remote parts of the island can be explored by hiring either a tricycle or renting a motorbike from one of several shops in town. On most days Jeepneys provide a connection from Culion city to Cabulihan and Bonongan on the western side of the island, departure is around noon.

See

There is a tourist information run by the municipality, it is located just opposite of the harbor entrance. Their staff is very friendly and helpful, they can also assist regarding boat charters.

Within town one can see historical buildings and monuments of the former leper colony, a museum provides further insights.

Pulang Lupa, meaning red soil, is a viewpoint about 4km south of the city. At about 160m altitude this spot provides a beautiful view over the grassy hills and plenty of smaller islands within the ocean around.

Waterfalls are scattered around the island. However, most of them are not within easy reach. The most accessible ones lay north of town, which can be covered within half a day. By road first via the main road north, then on an off-road track along the coast followed by some walking and crossing a river with or without the help of locals. Another option is chartering a boat to the adjacent village. The village next to the waterfalls is also noteworthy for its isolated feel with friendly people and picturesque mangrove setting. Basic but delicious food, some snacks and drinks can be provided by locals. Both waterfalls do have swimmable pools within a nice forest-setting. The micro-climate can be nicely refreshing due to the cooler temperature of the water.

Do

Exploring the island(s) by road or by boat.

Paddeling, snorkeling

• Diving with Gerd Schulte, ☏ +63 9282227833, nevergiveupyourself1957@gmail.com. Experienced diving instructor. (updated Apr 2020)

Eat

There are few restaurants available, the open market next to the harbor provides basic needs in addition to numerous small shops.

Sleep

Some guesthouses and a hotel can be found in town. It is easiest to ask around or check on OpenStreetMap.