Barracuda Lake: Where Temperature Defies Expectation

Visit Duration

Entrance Fee

Entrance fee: PHP 250 per person (usually included in island hopping tours). Group tours PHP 1,500-1,800 all-inclusive. Private boat PHP 2,700-3,800. Freediving courses available.

Best Time to Visit

November to May (dry season) for best weather and calm seas. Early morning (before 9 AM) offers the most serene experience before tour groups arrive. The thermocline effect is consistent year-round, making diving enjoyable anytime. Freediving is best in early morning when the water is calmest and visibility peaks at 25+ meters.

How to Get There

From Coron Town, join an island hopping tour (Tour A includes Barracuda Lake along with Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon, Tour B includes Barracuda Lake with Twin Lagoon and Skeleton Wreck). Boat ride to Barracuda Lake takes 20-25 minutes. Upon arrival, walk a short trail (10-15 minutes) through stunning limestone formations to reach the lake. Private boats available through Calamian Tourist Boat Association. To reach Coron: fly Manila to Busuanga Airport (1 hour), then van to Coron town (30-45 min, ₱150).

What to Expect

Expect a scenic 20-25 minute boat ride from Coron town followed by a stunning 10-15 minute walk through dramatic limestone formations to reach the lake. The crystal-clear lake is surrounded by towering jagged karst cliffs creating an amphitheater-like setting. When you enter the water, you'll feel the remarkable thermocline - warm surface water around 28°C that transitions to surprisingly hot 38°C water as you descend to 14 meters depth. The sensation is surreal, like swimming from a swimming pool into a hot tub. Life jackets are required due to the lake's 40-meter depth. Experienced freedivers can explore the unique underwater landscape, while snorkelers enjoy clear views of the thermocline shimmer. Limited marine life includes rabbitfish, catfish, and shrimp.