Coron Private Tour D: Reef and Wrecks

The main draw here is simple: you get two World War II wrecks and a coral garden in one private day on the water. East Tangat sits in relatively shallow water, while Lusong Gunboat is partly exposed and easy to view with a mask and snorkel.

I like the white sand of Pass Island and the practical setup, with hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, and a private boat included. The catch is the long ride to these outlying sites, so this is a full day with less time at each stop than a simple beach outing.

Key points at a glance

• Two wreck sites: Snorkel around East Tangat Wreck and Lusong Gunboat, both linked to World War II.
• Pass Island stop: Enjoy very white silica sand, palm shade, and calm water for swimming.
• Lusong Coral Garden: See many coral forms and large schools of fish near the gunboat.
• Private eight-hour outing: Your group has its own boat and an English-speaking guide.
• Longer boat journey: The route takes more time than Coron’s common Tour A or B programs.
• Extra costs: Environmental fees and rentals for masks, fins, water shoes, and kayaks are not included.

Why the wrecks make this Coron day special

Coron is known for wreck sites, but not all wreck trips suit snorkelers. This one focuses on wrecks in shallow or moderate water, making it a good choice if you want to see a piece of wartime history without signing up for a technical underwater outing.

The two wrecks feel different. East Tangat is a 40-meter vessel that sank on September 24, 1944. It may have been a tugboat or an anti-submarine craft. The wreck rests on a sandy slope, listing to starboard, with the shallowest part around 10 feet and the stern reaching about 72 feet.

That depth range matters. You can see parts of East Tangat while snorkeling near the surface, though the whole site is not shallow. The conditions can shift from mild to strong currents, so you should be comfortable in open water and ready to follow your guide’s instructions.

Lusong Gunboat offers another kind of visit. It was attacked near Concepcion village and later ran aground at the southern tip of Lusong Island. The upper part has been removed or salvaged, leaving a lower wreck structure covered with sponges and soft corals.

Around the gunboat, you might spot butterflyfish, including copperband butterflyfish, angelfish, pufferfish, and batfish. The nearby reef gives you something to see even when you are not looking directly at the wreck.

I like this combination because the stops are not identical. East Tangat gives you a more recognizable wreck site with a sandy slope and scattered coral growth. Lusong feels more like a shallow reef stop built around a boat-shaped structure.

East Tangat Wreck and its shallow-water appeal

East Tangat is close to the southwest side of Tangat Island. The site reaches a maximum depth of about 22 meters, but its shallow bow area makes it accessible to snorkelers as well as divers.

The wreck has some hard and soft corals, along with large lettuce corals nearby. Fish life includes small angelfish and copperband butterflyfish, and you may see white sponges, sea stars, or crinoids, although sea stars and crinoids are less commonly seen.

The site is also used by underwater photographers because the shallow water allows more natural light. For you, that means a better chance to see details without needing to descend far below the surface.

The limitation is that East Tangat may not satisfy someone looking for a deep, dramatic wreck exploration. The site is also listed as having mild to strong currents. If you are a non-swimmer, this is not the right outing, and even confident swimmers should treat the current warning seriously.

Your guide provides commentary about the wrecks, which adds useful context to what can otherwise look like a collection of rusted metal and coral. Ask questions during the boat ride or between stops, when you have time to connect the location with the events of 1944.

Lusong Gunboat and the reef beside it

Lusong Gunboat is a compact, accessible wreck site close to the coral garden. Machine-gun fire disabled the gunboat while it was near Concepcion village, and the damaged vessel ended up on the southern tip of Lusong Island.

The wreck has been partly salvaged, so do not expect an intact ship with cabins and a full upper deck. Its open, worn shape is part of the appeal. Sponges and soft corals cover sections of it, while fish move around the structure and the adjacent reef.

This is one of the better stops for a mixed group. Someone interested in wartime vessels can study the wreck. Someone more interested in marine life can concentrate on the reef, where butterflyfish, angelfish, pufferfish, and batfish may appear.

Snorkeling beside a wreck is often easier than snorkeling above a deep one. You can keep your attention on the surface, move at a comfortable pace, and still see the outline of the vessel below. Just remember that the boat and reef can have sharp surfaces, so good water awareness matters.

Water shoes are not included but can be rented. I would consider them useful for getting in and out near rocky or shallow areas, especially if you are also planning to walk on the beach later in the day.

Lusong Coral Garden brings the color

The coral garden lies very close to the gunboat, so this stop does not require another long ride. It contains many types of coral in different shapes and colors, with thousands of fish moving through the area.

For many people, this will be the most visually impressive water stop. The wrecks offer structure and history, but the coral garden gives you a broad view of living reef. Look outward rather than only down at one object. The appeal is the spread of coral and fish across the site.

Conditions can affect what you see. Sun, water clarity, current, and the position of your group all matter, and the provided information does not promise a specific visibility level. Your guide can point out sections of the reef and help keep the group together.

Bring patience as well as a camera. A coral garden rewards slow observation more than hurried swimming from one point to another. You might notice fish only after you stop kicking and let your eyes adjust.

The tour description calls this route suitable for snorkeling and scuba activities, but the included format is built around a boat, guide, and snorkeling stops. Mask, snorkel, and fins are available to rent rather than included, so confirm your equipment plans before departure.

Pass Island is more than a lunch stop

Pass Island adds a classic tropical beach to a day otherwise centered on wrecks and coral. Its sand is described as very white and fine, with palm trees and calm water suitable for swimming.

I like this change of pace. After several water stops, you can walk on dry land, stretch your legs, eat lunch, and enjoy the beach without staring through a mask. The contrast helps the day feel like a full Coron excursion rather than a series of repeated snorkeling sessions.

The picnic buffet includes lunch, tropical fruit, water, light snacks, and drinks. That makes the $120 price easier to assess, since you are not paying only for transport and access to the sites. You are also getting a private boat, guide, food, and hotel-to-wharf transfers.

Pass Island is also the reason to watch the clock. One direct review of this tour described the island as worth the long journey, but also noted that this route takes much longer to reach than Coron’s Tour A and Tour B options. The trip is not part of the usual Ultimate Tour for that reason.

If your priority is maximum time on a single beach, this may feel too busy. If you want a broad day with wrecks, coral, fish, and a white-sand island, the longer ride is easier to justify.

The eight-hour schedule and boat transfers

The stated duration is eight hours, with starting times determined by availability. Pickup and drop-off are offered from hotels around Coron Town Proper and the wharf area.

Your transfer may be by tricycle, e-trike, or air-conditioned van. Pickup times are approximate, so wait in your hotel lobby 15 minutes before the given time. That small buffer matters because the boat schedule depends on getting everyone to the wharf in good time.

The route is private, which gives your group more control than a large shared excursion. It does not mean every stop will be long or that weather and current will not affect the timing. The day still has to cover a distant route, several water sites, lunch, and the return trip.

Expect a substantial amount of time on the boat. This is not a criticism, but it is the tradeoff for reaching Pass Island, East Tangat, and Lusong in one outing. If you get seasick, plan carefully, although the supplied details do not specify boat size or onboard medication.

A guide accompanies the group and speaks English. Guides Daniel and Majun are associated with this outing, and their commentary can help you understand what you are seeing instead of treating the wrecks as scenery alone.

What the $120 price really covers

At $120 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Coron. Its value depends on whether you would otherwise need to arrange a private boat, guide, meals, drinks, and hotel transport separately.

The package includes:

• Private boat
• Life vest
• English-speaking guide
• Picnic buffet lunch
• Water, snacks, tropical fruit, and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off around Town Proper

The environmental fee is extra. Mask, snorkel, and fins are also extra, as are water shoes and a kayak if you want one. These add-ons can change the final cost, so ask for the current rental rates before you commit.

The private format is most useful for couples, families with swimmers, or a small group that wants the same schedule. If you are comparing prices with a shared island trip, remember that the comparison is not exact. A cheaper outing may include fewer remote sites, less flexibility, or no private boat.

I see the strongest value in the combination of two wrecks plus Pass Island. Booking this tour only for the coral garden would make the price harder to defend, since the long boat ride is part of the cost. Booking it for a full mix of sites makes more sense.

Who should choose this route

This tour suits a confident swimmer who wants variety. You get historical wrecks, coral, fish, a sandy island, and a provided meal in one day.

It is especially suitable for:

• Snorkelers who want shallow wreck sites
• Private groups that prefer their own boat
• People interested in World War II sites
• Visitors who want Pass Island without arranging a separate trip
• Photographers who prefer shallow water and natural light
• Couples or friends who enjoy a long day on the water

It is not suitable for pregnant women or non-swimmers. The stated current conditions at East Tangat can range from mild to strong, so even swimmers should be honest about their comfort level.

You should also think about your priorities. If you want a quiet beach day, choose a simpler island route. If you want the deepest possible wreck experience, East Tangat may feel too shallow in its upper sections. If you want variety and are happy to spend much of the day traveling by boat, this route is a strong fit.

Practical preparations before departure

Wear swim clothing under your day clothes and bring sun protection. The supplied package includes a life vest, but not snorkeling gear, so arrange a mask, snorkel, and fins before leaving or rent them through the operator.

Water shoes are optional but useful. The route includes wrecks, reef areas, beach time, and boat boarding, so footwear that handles wet surfaces can make the day more comfortable.

Bring a dry bag for phones and cameras. The provided information does not specify storage on the boat, so protect anything you do not want splashed. A towel and spare clothes also make sense after several water stops.

Do not count on the environmental fee being included in the advertised price. Keep extra money available for that fee and any equipment rental. The same applies to kayaking, which is available at an additional cost but is not part of the core itinerary.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible. Check the confirmed starting time and pickup instructions because pickup times are approximate.

Should you book Coron Private Tour D?

Book it if you want a long, varied day that combines wreck snorkeling with a coral garden and a memorable beach. The shallow East Tangat sections and open Lusong Gunboat make the route accessible to snorkelers, while the guide’s wartime commentary gives the stops more meaning.

Think twice if you dislike long boat rides, need a relaxed beach schedule, or want a deeper wreck-focused outing. The route costs more once you add the environmental fee and equipment rentals, but the private boat, meals, transfers, and four distinct highlights give the $120 price a reasonable case.

For most confident swimmers who want more than a standard Coron island loop, this is a worthwhile choice. Pack for a full day, budget for extras, and choose it for the complete mix rather than for any single stop.

FAQ

How long is Coron Private Tour D?

The tour lasts eight hours. Starting times depend on availability, and pickup times are approximate.

What locations does the tour visit?

The route includes East Tangat Wreck, Lusong Gunboat, Lusong Coral Garden, and Pass Island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels around the Town Proper and the wharf area. Transfers may be by tricycle, e-trike, or air-conditioned van.

Are snorkeling equipment and water shoes included?

No. Mask, snorkel, fins, and water shoes are available to rent but are not included in the tour price.

Is lunch provided?

Yes. The package includes a picnic buffet lunch, water, tropical fruit, light snacks, and drinks.

Can non-swimmers join this tour?

No. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers. It is also not suitable for pregnant women.