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CYC Beach Coron: Crazy and Crowded

CYC Beach Palawan
CYC Beach Coron Palawan
4.5/5

To be honest, we were disappointed with CYC Beach Coron.  White sand, mangroves, clear water, and diving all signify CYC Beach Coron Palawan but is it as good as it was? Read our full CYC Beach Coron Palawan review and know what to expect before going.

The beach sand of CYC Beach in Coron Palawan is off white – not as white as other beaches in Coron, but still soft and appealing. For all those divers out there, the waters surrounding the island are crystal clear and full of marine life. There were also mangrove trees around the island which would add to the abundance of marine life in the area.

CYC Beach Coron Palawan Review

CYC beach coron PalawanTIPS: A word of warning, the beach is small, and this is a popular spot for tour groups to drop off. The beach does fill quickly as it did when we were there. Most of our group were happy to stay on the boat or swim in that general area and not venture to the beach.

For those wondering, CYC Beach stands for “Coron Youth Club Beach”.  And as the name suggests, lends a resort-like ambiance where visitors can lounge, swim, snorkel, kayak, picnic, or even play volleyball.

Another interesting fact about CYC Beach is it’s the only beach where you are not charged an entrance fee. The island has no cottages, but the area is suitable for camping (just bring your own tent, food, and water). I admit the beach does have a nice view, decorated by rock formations, mangrove trees, and creamy-white sand making it ideal for stretching out under the sun if you want to get tan.

As a public beach, I expected dirty surroundings but surprisingly, it was clean.  In areas where the water is shallower, the seafloor tends to be rocky, so it is advisable to wear aqua shoes. In others, you can walk amongst mangrove trees, stepping on sand partially submerged in lukewarm water. The sea breeze adds to the memorable experience. It is best to leave your bulky bags and equipment on the boat that you took to get here.

CYC Beach will be found included in many of the organized island-hopping tours you can book. This was the case for us, we signed up for the Ultimate tour which included this beach as one of its destinations. CYC Beach is also a popular destination for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.

The shallow water can be a little rocky in places, so it is a good idea to get yourself a good pair of aqua shoes. Because the beach was getting crowded when we were there – numerous boats parked on the shore. Even so, there is a communal vibe to appreciate if one is not in haste to enjoy the visit. Most of us decided to stay near the boat, swim, and kayak.

ENTRANCE FEES OF OTHER ISLANDS

A quick update on island entrance fees as mentioned earlier. As of writing, CYC beach is still the only free entry beach in the area. Here’s the entrance fee per person for other islands.

Banol Beach: ₱100 (USD $2.15)Malaroyroy Island/ Bulog Island: ₱100 (USD $2.15)
Banana Island: ₱200 (USD $4.15)Malcapuya Island: ₱150 (USD $3.13)
Barracuda Lake: ₱100 (USD $2.15)Maquinit Hot Springs: ₱100 (USD $2.15)
Bulalacao Island: ₱200 (USD $4.15)Pulang Lupa: ₱100 (USD $2.15)
Calumbuyan Island: ₱150 (USD $3.13)Sangat Island: ₱200 (USD $4.15)
Coral Garden: ₱50  (USD $1.10)Siete Pecados: ₱100 (USD $2.15)
CYC Beach: no charge (FREE)Skeleton Wreck: ₱100 (USD $2.15)
 Dalawang Isla: ₱100 (USD $2.15)Smith Beach: ₱100 (USD $2.15)
 Kayangan Lake: ₱200 (USD $4.15)Twin Lagoon: ₱100 (USD $2.15)
CYC Beach can be crowded
Starting to get crowded

After a short snorkel, it was easy to see that much of the coral had been damaged. Either due to storms, tourists walking on it or tour boats dropping anchor on the coral, it seems the coral has seen better days. It is a shame because this was once a great area to dive and snorkel. Hopefully, it will one day return to its former glory.

CYC Beach Coron coral Urchins
Beware of sea urchins. They’re everywhere.

Beware Of Sea Urchins

Also, beware, there are a lot of Sea Urchins in the area. Although they are not poisonous, get a few of their needles in your foot and you will know about it. The best thing if you do happen to stand on a Sea urchin if to wash the area where the needle entered your foot with vinegar. This will neutralize the toxin and after 20 minutes or so the pain will subside. Your boat operator should have bottles of vinegar on board ready for such an occurrence.

Finding CYC Beach Coron

This tiny island is located 6 kilometers from Busuanga. It’s a popular attraction included in an island-hopping tour in Coron — in that the beach has a small bar and little boats that sell snacks. The CYC island spans merely 10,000 meters squared, surrounded by a massive coral reef. Fortunately, the corals are located deeper out into the water, which makes CYC a great addition to a day trip in Coron and is conducive for a relaxing swim near the shore.

HOW TO GET THERE

  • The fastest and most efficient way to get to CYC Beach is by boat. For the most part, you will be staying in Busuanga Island, where many tourists stay while visiting Coron.
  • CYC Beach is part of the itinerary when you go on an island hopping tour in Coron. The Coron island hopping Tour A includes CYC Beach as one of its stops, in-between visits to other famous sites in Coron, such as Kayangan Lake and the Blue Lagoon.
  • Alternatively, you can hire a private boat to take you to CYC Beach. The disadvantage of hiring a private boat tour is a lot more expensive than joining a regular island hopping tour. The advantage, however, is that you can spend as long as you want on CYC Beach with your own customized itinerary.

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