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This retreat is built around freediving — the practice of diving on a single breath, in silence, without equipment between you and the water — in one of the most breathtaking environments in the Philippines. Over six days, you will earn your international freediving certification under the guidance of MJ Paula, a two-time Philippine National Record holder whose teaching is known for being calm, structured, and deeply supportive.The certification days take place in Barracuda Lake and selected reef sites. After your course, the retreat opens into the best of what Coron offers: a freedive over the Lusong Gunboat, a Tour B boat day through the island lagoons, and a full-day dugong expedition to the northern seagrass meadows — approached respectfully, at the pace of the animals.Small group. Calm instruction. A place that earns its reputation.

Coron, Palawan, Philippines

Day 1Arrival in CoronMorningArrive at Busuanga Airport (USU). Your private transfer takes you to your accommodation in Coron Town — a scenic drive through Palawan's interior.AfternoonTime to settle in, rest, and explore Coron on foot. The waterfront is beautiful in the late afternoon light, and the town is easy and pleasant to walk.EveningA free first evening — dinner at leisure. Coron has excellent restaurants along the waterfront. An early night before your first day in the water.

Arrival in Coron

DAY 1

Morning Breakfast, then your first session with MJ at Freediving Coron. You will begin with the theory and physiology of breath-hold diving, relaxation and breathwork techniques, and your first static and dynamic apnea practice. The classroom work is grounded in real technique — MJ teaches with precision and warmth in equal measure.Afternoon Into the water. Your first pool or confined-water session. You will hold your breath longer than you thought you could, and the surprise of that will stay with you.Evening Free evening in Coron. Rest — the body is already adapting.

  Freediving Training — Day One

DAY 2

Morning Your first session in Barracuda Lake — one of the most extraordinary freediving environments in the world. Enclosed by limestone walls, clear to extraordinary depth, with the thermocline shifting against your skin as you descend. MJ guides you through the lake at the pace your body is ready for.Afternoon Continued open water training. Beginner students complete their certification dives. Advanced students deepen equalization technique and begin working on depth.Evening Free evening. This day will have been a lot — in the best possible way.

Freediving Training — Day Two / Barracuda Lake

Day 3

Morning Final training dives. Beginner students who need a final half-day complete their certification this morning. Advanced students continue with depth work, rescue skills, and the final dives of their Wave 2 course.Afternoon Certification. A guided reef session in the afternoon, or free time in Coron at your own pace. The water feels different when you know you belong in it.Evening Free evening. Your first evening as a certified freediver.

Freediving Training — Day Three / Certification

DAY 4

Morning An early start by boat into Coron's iconic island scenery. Tour B takes you through the limestone lagoons, hidden coves, and turquoise inlets that define this part of Palawan — including Kayangan Lake, the Twin Lagoon, and snorkelling stops at shallow reef sites alive with coral and fish. A freedive over the Lusong Gunboat wreck is included in the day.Afternoon The tour continues — more snorkelling, more time on the water, and the particular pleasure of moving slowly through one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the Philippines with no agenda beyond the landscape itself. Return to Coron by late afternoon.Evening Free evening in Coron.

Guided Tour B

Day 5

Morning An early start for the full-day dugong expedition to the northern seagrass meadows of Palawan. Dugongs are rare marine mammals — related to the manatee — that still graze in Coron's protected coastal waters. All encounters are approached quietly and respectfully, following responsible wildlife guidelines. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the journey itself, through open water with limestone islands rising on the horizon, is worth the day.Afternoon Continued time on the water. Snorkelling, observing the seagrass ecosystem, and enjoying the scale of Palawan from the sea.Evening Return to Coron. A final free evening — dinner at leisure, time to sit with the week.

Dugong Expedition

DAY 6

Morning Breakfast at your hotel. A slow final morning in Coron.Afternoon Private transfer to Busuanga Airport (USU) for your onward flight.Evening Travel home — carrying the particular quiet that comes from a week spent learning to breathe in the deep.

Departure 

DAY 7

Coron rises from the Sulu Sea as a cathedral of limestone karsts piercing turquoise water. It is one of the most distinctive dive destinations in Southeast Asia — not because of its reefs alone, but because of what lies beneath them: a volcanic freshwater lake with dramatic thermoclines, a fleet of Japanese WWII ships now draped in coral, and northern seagrass meadows still inhabited by the rare and gentle dugong. For freedivers, Coron is exceptional. Barracuda Lake — a volcanic freshwater lake enclosed by limestone cliffs — offers some of the most extraordinary freediving training conditions in the world: crystal-clear visibility, a dramatic thermocline you can feel shift against your skin as you descend, and an atmosphere of complete stillness. The Lusong Gunboat wreck sits in shallow water, close enough to freedive on a single breath. And the overall landscape of limestone and turquoise water makes every session feel genuinely unlike anything else.

Coron, Palawan

This retreat is built around freediving — the practice of diving on a single breath, in silence, without equipment between you and the water — in one of the most breathtaking environments in the Philippines. Over six days, you will earn your international freediving certification under the guidance of MJ Paula, a two-time Philippine National Record holder whose teaching is known for being calm, structured, and deeply supportive.&nbsp;The certification days take place in Barracuda Lake and selected reef sites. After your course, the retreat opens into the best of what Coron offers: a freedive over the Lusong Gunboat, a Tour B boat day through the island lagoons, and a full-day dugong expedition to the northern seagrass meadows — approached respectfully, at the pace of the animals.&nbsp;Small group. Calm instruction. A place that earns its reputation.

The retreat in brief

Duration7 days / 6 nightsLocationCoron, Palawan, PhilippinesArrival airportBusuanga Airport (USU)AccommodationMO2 Lagoon Coron or Corto del Mar Hotel — chosen at bookingInstructorMJ Paula — Freediving Coron — 2× Philippine National Record holderGroup sizeMaximum 4 guestsMealsBreakfast included daily. Lunch and dinner at your own pace.CertificationWave 1 / AIDA 2 Beginner or Wave 2 / AIDA 3 Advanced — available as an add-onWho it's forBeginners and intermediate freedivers, solo-traveller friendly

At a glance

●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Train in Barracuda Lake — one of the world's most unusual freediving environments: a volcanic freshwater lake with a dramatic thermocline, enclosed by limestone walls. Crystal-clear visibility, no currents, complete stillness.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Learn with MJ Paula — 2× Philippine National Record holder. Known for calm, structured teaching that builds real confidence rather than performance.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Freedive the Lusong Gunboat on a single breath: a shallow WWII wreck you can descend to without tanks — one of the most unusual freediving experiences anywhere.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An ethical dugong expedition, not a tourist show: a full day at the northern seagrass meadows with a respectful, distance-keeping approach.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A guided Tour B lagoon day: see the same waters from above that you've been freediving below — Kayangan Lake, the Twin Lagoon, and the turquoise coves of Coron's archipelago.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Small group, women-only, solo-traveller friendly: capped at four guests. You are not a number on a trip list — you are one of a few.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Founder-led and Swiss-organised: a real person (Rocío) behind every booking, answering questions before, during, and after the retreat.

What Makes This Retreat Special

●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Private airport transfer from Busuanga Airport (USU) on arrival and departure●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6 nights accommodation (MO2 Lagoon or Corto del Mar — chosen at booking)●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Daily breakfast at your hotel●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Freedive session at the Lusong Gunboat WWII wreck●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Guided Tour B boat trip (Coron island lagoons, lakes, and reef snorkelling)●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Full-day ethical dugong expedition to the northern seagrass meadows●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All scheduled boat transfers during activities●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Local transport for all retreat activities●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Professional host support throughout the week

What’s included

●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Flights to and from Coron / Busuanga Airport (USU)●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Travel insurance (required)●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lunch and dinner on in-town days●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Freediving certification — optional add-on at bookingA full-day boat journey to the seagrass meadows of northern Palawan, where dugongs — the sea manatees, rare and protected — graze in the shallows. Not guaranteed. Dugongs are wild and unpredictable, and the expedition is run with respect: no chasing, no touching, calm water entries only. But when they come, they come close — and quietly. Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments included on the boat. One of the most meaningful days you can have in Coron.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Underwater photoshoot — optional add-on●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Carbon fins or monofin rental (on request)●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Personal expenses and gratuities

What’s not included

You choose your level when you add certification. Wave 1 / AIDA 2 (beginner) is the entry-level course and runs over two and a half days. It covers breathwork and relaxation techniques, static and dynamic apnea, and open water dives — everything you need to freedive safely and confidently in the ocean. No prior experience is required.Wave 2 / AIDA 3 (advanced) is for those who already hold a beginner certification. This course runs over three days and includes deeper dives, advanced equalization technique, and rescue skills. It is a significant step in any freediver's practice, and Coron's combination of Barracuda Lake and open reef environments makes it an exceptional place to take it. Both courses are conducted through Freediving Coron, led by MJ Paula. Training takes place in Barracuda Lake and selected reef sites, chosen for conditions and suitability to your level on each day.

A note on certification

Barracuda Lake is unlike any other freediving environment. Enclosed by vertical limestone walls, it is a freshwater lake with salt layers beneath — which means the water temperature shifts dramatically as you descend through its thermocline, from warm surface water to cooler depths below. The visibility is extraordinary. The stillness is complete. There are no currents, no boats, no distractions — just you, your breath, and the limestone walls around you.It is one of the finest places in the world to learn freediving, and one of the most memorable places to practise it at any level. MJ has taught here for years and knows the lake's conditions, its quirks, and how to use the environment to help each student find their own depth.

Barracuda Lake

MJ Paula (Mary Jane Paula Jumuad) is a Filipino freediving instructor and two-time Philippine National Record holder. She discovered freediving in 2015 and reached national record level within only a few months — then chose to leave her career as a Certified Public Accountant to dedicate herself fully to teaching in the ocean.Since 2016, MJ has trained thousands of students — from complete beginners to advanced freedivers, including children, mothers, and seniors. Her teaching is built around safety, technique, and the kind of calm progression that builds genuine confidence rather than just performance. She is particularly known for her ability to help students who are new to freediving, or who come to the water with hesitation, find ease and trust in themselves underwater."Do not rush. In the water, progress comes from patience, consistency, and learning to relax rather than force." — MJ PaulaMJ leads Freediving Coron, one of the most established and respected freediving schools in Palawan. coron-freediving.com

Your instructor — MJ Paula

<h3>MO2 Lagoon Coron — recommended for freediving</h3>Set slightly away from the centre of town, MO2 Lagoon Coron offers more space, more quiet, and a stronger sense of retreat. Surrounded by greenery with lagoon-style pools, it is a genuinely beautiful place to rest and allow the nervous system to recover between freediving days. A short tricycle ride connects you to the training meeting point and the waterfront.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Room type: Private single-occupancy rooms.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Setting: Quieter area outside Coron Town, surrounded by greenery and lagoon-style pools.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On-site: Multiple pools, restaurant, garden.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wi-Fi: Included.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air-con: Yes, in all rooms.<h3>Corto del Mar Hotel — alternative option</h3>A boutique hotel in the heart of Coron Town, Corto del Mar is ideal for guests who prefer to be central, within easy walking distance of restaurants, the waterfront, and the town's main departure points. Elegant and calm, with a serene pool setting.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Room type: Private single-occupancy rooms.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Setting: Central Coron Town, walking distance to restaurants and the waterfront.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On-site: Pool, restaurant.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wi-Fi: Included.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air-con: Yes, in all rooms.Property (MO2 Lagoon or Corto del Mar) is matched at booking. All prices are per person, single-occupancy throughout.

Accommodation

Breakfast is included every day at your hotel. Lunch and dinner are at your own pace — part of the design of this retreat. Coron has a strong local food culture: waterfront seafood grills, Filipino home-cooking, and a handful of international restaurants within easy walking distance. Boat lunches on the Tour B and dugong days are included.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Included: Daily breakfast at MO2 Lagoon or Corto del Mar.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Not included: Lunch and dinner on in-town days. Local restaurants in Coron are excellent and affordable.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dietary needs: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergen-aware options can be arranged — let us know at booking.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Water: Filtered drinking water provided at the hotel to refill your bottle.

Food & Meals Included

This retreat is designed for women who want to discover what it feels like to move through the ocean on a single breath — in one of the most beautiful and extraordinary environments in Southeast Asia.<h3>This retreat is for you if you</h3>●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; are curious about freediving and want to learn in a calm, expert-led environment●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; are drawn to Coron's unique landscapes — the limestone lakes, the Ghost Fleet, the dugongs●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; prefer a small, intimate group over a large dive operation●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; are travelling solo and want structure and genuine support throughout●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; care about ethical wildlife encounters and responsible travel●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; want to return home with a real certification and a changed relationship with the sea<h3>This retreat is probably not for you if you</h3>●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; are looking for a party or high-energy group dynamic●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; want a performance-focused or competitive training environment●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; are not comfortable with the idea that wildlife encounters are never guaranteedYou don't need experience. No prior freediving is required for the beginner course. You need comfort in the water, curiosity, and a willingness to breathe slowly.

Who this retreat is for

7 Day Freediving Retreat with Certification in Coron Palawan

<h3>Corto del Mar Hotel — alternative option</h3>A boutique hotel in the heart of Coron Town, Corto del Mar is ideal for guests who prefer to be central, within easy walking distance of restaurants, the waterfront, and the town's main departure points. Elegant and calm, with a serene pool setting.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Room type: Private single-occupancy rooms.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Setting: Central Coron Town, walking distance to restaurants and the waterfront.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On-site: Pool, restaurant.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wi-Fi: Included.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air-con: Yes, in all rooms.<h3>Price includes Wave 1 / AIDA 2 beginner certification (2.5 days)</h3>The entry-level freediving qualification, taught by MJ Paula at Freediving Coron. No prior experience required. Covers breathwork and relaxation techniques, static and dynamic apnea, and open-water dives to depth — everything you need to freedive safely and confidently in the ocean.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Includes: all theory, pool training, open-water sessions, equipment (mask, wetsuit, fins, weights, buoy), certification fee.

Corto del Mar Hotel — Freediving Wave 1 

<h3>Corto del Mar Hotel — alternative option</h3>A boutique hotel in the heart of Coron Town, Corto del Mar is ideal for guests who prefer to be central, within easy walking distance of restaurants, the waterfront, and the town's main departure points. Elegant and calm, with a serene pool setting.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Room type: Private single-occupancy rooms.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Setting: Central Coron Town, walking distance to restaurants and the waterfront.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On-site: Pool, restaurant.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wi-Fi: Included.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air-con: Yes, in all rooms. Private rooms, single occupancy. <h3>Price includes Wave 2 / AIDA 3 advanced certification (3 days)</h3>For those already holding Wave 1 / AIDA 2 (or equivalent). Three days of advanced equalization, deeper target dives, rescue skills, and longer breath holds — using Barracuda Lake and Coron's reef sites as the training environment.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Includes: theory, advanced training sessions, open-water depth dives, equipment, certification fee.

Corto del Mar Hotel — Freediving Wave 2 

<h3>MO2 Lagoon Coron — recommended for freediving</h3>Set slightly away from the centre of town, MO2 Lagoon Coron offers more space, more quiet, and a stronger sense of retreat. Surrounded by greenery with lagoon-style pools, it is a genuinely beautiful place to rest and allow the nervous system to recover between freediving days. A short tricycle ride connects you to the training meeting point and the waterfront.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Room type: Private single-occupancy rooms.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Setting: Quieter area outside Coron Town, surrounded by greenery and lagoon-style pools.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On-site: Multiple pools, restaurant, garden.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wi-Fi: Included.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air-con: Yes, in all rooms.Private rooms, single occupancy.<h3>Price includes Wave 1 / AIDA 2 beginner certification (2.5 days)</h3>The entry-level freediving qualification, taught by MJ Paula at Freediving Coron. No prior experience required. Covers breathwork and relaxation techniques, static and dynamic apnea, and open-water dives to depth — everything you need to freedive safely and confidently in the ocean.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Includes: all theory, pool training, open-water sessions, equipment (mask, wetsuit, fins, weights, buoy), certification fee.

MO2 Lagoon Coron — Freediving Wave 1 

<h3>MO2 Lagoon Coron — recommended for freediving</h3>Set slightly away from the centre of town, MO2 Lagoon Coron offers more space, more quiet, and a stronger sense of retreat. Surrounded by greenery with lagoon-style pools, it is a genuinely beautiful place to rest and allow the nervous system to recover between freediving days. A short tricycle ride connects you to the training meeting point and the waterfront.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Room type: Private single-occupancy rooms.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Setting: Quieter area outside Coron Town, surrounded by greenery and lagoon-style pools.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On-site: Multiple pools, restaurant, garden.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wi-Fi: Included.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air-con: Yes, in all rooms.Private rooms, single occupancy.<h3>Price includes Wave 2 / AIDA 3 advanced certification (3 days)</h3>For those already holding Wave 1 / AIDA 2 (or equivalent). Three days of advanced equalization, deeper target dives, rescue skills, and longer breath holds — using Barracuda Lake and Coron's reef sites as the training environment.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Includes: theory, advanced training sessions, open-water depth dives, equipment, certification fee.

MO2 Lagoon Coron — Freediving Wave 2 

A professional underwater photo session during one of your freediving sessions. A keepsake of you descending on a single breath through Barracuda Lake or a Coron reef.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Duration: one session; edited digital gallery delivered after the retreat.

Underwater photoshoot

An island day by boat through Coron's iconic limestone seascape. Kayangan Lake — voted one of the cleanest lakes in the Philippines, ringed by vertical cliffs. Twin Lagoons, accessed at low tide through a narrow stone arch. The Lusong Gunboat, a WWII wreck shallow enough to snorkel with coral now growing over the hull. Lunch on the boat, swim stops throughout. One of the most photographed corners of the world — and a proper break from diving.

Tour B — Coron's Iconic Lagoons (full da

A full-day boat journey to the seagrass meadows of northern Palawan, where dugongs — the sea manatees, rare and protected — graze in the shallows. Not guaranteed. Dugongs are wild and unpredictable, and the expedition is run with respect: no chasing, no touching, calm water entries only. But when they come, they come close — and quietly. Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments included on the boat.

Ethical Dugong Expedition (full day)

Full equipment rental for the retreat: mask and fins). For guests who don't travel with their own gear. Clean, well-maintained, and sized at check-in.

Gear Rental (full week)

This retreat is built around scuba diving in one of the Philippines' most iconic destinations. The base retreat includes 6 nights accommodation plus your PADI certification course with Randy Dingding and Corto Divers — either Open Water (3 days, for new divers) or Advanced Open Water (2 days, for already-certified guests). Optional day trips — Tour B lagoons, the Dugong Expedition day through the island lagoons and a full-day dugong expedition to the northern seagrass meadows.Not a fast-paced dive trip. The days have structure, but not pressure. Your instructor Randy Dingding has deep local knowledge of Coron's conditions, currents, and wreck sites. The group is small by design — a maximum of four guests. Certified divers take the Advanced Open Water course. If you are not yet certified, you add the PADI course at booking and complete it inside the same retreat week.

Day 1Arrival in CoronMorningArrive at Busuanga Airport (USU). Your private transfer takes you directly to your accommodation in Coron Town — a scenic drive through Palawan's interior.AfternoonTime to settle in, rest, and take a first walk around Coron. The town is small, easy to navigate on foot, and the waterfront is beautiful in the late afternoon light.EveningA free first evening — dinner at leisure. Coron has excellent restaurants along the waterfront. An early night before your first day in the water.

Morning Breakfast, then a briefing with Randy at Corto Divers. Certified divers head out for a check-dive on a local reef to settle back into the water. Course students begin theory and confined water skills.Afternoon Second dive or continued course practice. The reefs in Coron Bay are close to shore — short boat rides, long dives.Evening Free evening in Coron. Dinner at your own pace.

Scuba Training — Day One

Morning Back in the water for the Lusong Gunboat — shallow enough to silhouette against the sky, encrusted in soft coral, surrounded by reef life. A genuinely moving first encounter with the Ghost Fleet.Afternoon A reef dive in the same area, or continued course work for certification students. The history of Coron starts to make itself known.Evening Free evening. Rest well — tomorrow is another dive day.

Scuba Training — Day Two

Morning A morning on one of the deeper Ghost Fleet wrecks (subject to certification level and conditions). For Open Water students, today is certification day — final training dives and qualification.Afternoon A second dive or free time to explore Coron at your own pace. The water will feel different now that you're certified.Evening Free evening. Dinner at leisure — many guests' first evening as a certified diver.

Scuba Training — Day Three / Certification

Morning An early start by boat into Coron's iconic island scenery. Tour B takes you through the limestone lagoons, hidden coves, and turquoise inlets of this part of Palawan — Kayangan Lake, the Twin Lagoon, and snorkelling stops at shallow reef sites teeming with coral and fish. The same waters you've been diving beneath all week look entirely different from above.Afternoon The tour continues — more snorkelling, more time on the water. Return to Coron by late afternoon.Evening Free evening in Coron..

DAY 5

Morning An early start for the full-day dugong expedition to the northern seagrass meadows. Dugongs are rare marine mammals — related to the manatee — that still inhabit Palawan's protected coastal waters. All encounters are approached respectfully and quietly, following responsible wildlife guidelines. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the boat journey itself, through open water with Palawan's limestone islands on the horizon, is worth the day.Afternoon Continued time on the water. Snorkelling the seagrass areas and observing the coastal marine environment.Evening Return to Coron. A final free evening — dinner at leisure, time to reflect on the week.

Day 6

Morning Breakfast at your hotel. A slow final morning in Coron.Afternoon Private transfer to Busuanga Airport (USU) for your onward flight.Evening Travel home — with a Ghost Fleet dive in your logbook, a dugong day in your memory, and a quieter relationship with the underwater world.

Coron rises from the Sulu Sea as a cathedral of limestone karsts piercing turquoise water. It is one of the most distinctive dive destinations in Southeast Asia — not because of its reefs alone, but because of what lies beneath them. In 1944, a US air strike sank a fleet of Japanese naval vessels in Coron Bay. Today, those ships are something else entirely: massive structures encrusted in coral, draped in soft sponges, and teeming with marine life. They are called the Ghost Fleet, and they are one of the most extraordinary underwater environments on earth.Beyond the wrecks, Coron offers Barracuda Lake — a volcanic freshwater lake with dramatic thermoclines and exceptional visibility, surrounded by jagged limestone walls — and the northern seagrass meadows where dugongs, rare and gentle marine mammals, still graze in protected waters. It is a destination that rewards presence, patience, and a willingness to go slowly.

This retreat is built around scuba diving in one of the Philippines' most iconic destinations — earning your PADI certification across three days of guided training in Coron's reef and wreck environments, then using those skills to explore the Ghost Fleet, dive the Lusong Gunboat wreck, and join a respectful dugong expedition in the northern seagrass meadows.&nbsp;It is not a fast-paced dive trip. The days have structure, but not pressure. Your instructor Randy Dingding has deep local knowledge of Coron's conditions, currents, and wreck sites — and teaches with calm, supportive guidance that lets you grow at a pace that feels right. The group is small by design. The experience is meant to leave you genuinely confident in the water, not just certified.

Duration7 days / 6 nightsLocationCoron, Palawan, PhilippinesArrival airportBusuanga Airport (USU)AccommodationCorto del Mar Hotel or MO2 Lagoon Coron — chosen at bookingDivingPADI certification course (Open Water or Advanced Open Water) with Corto Divers — Tour B and Dugong Expedition available as optional add-onsCertificationOptional add-on — PADI Open Water (3 days) or Advanced Open Water (2 days)InstructorRandy Dingding — PADI Instructor, Corto DiversGroup sizeMaximum 4 guestsMealsBreakfast included daily. Lunch and dinner at your own pace.Who it's forWomen, beginner to intermediate, solo-traveller friendly

●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dive the WWII Ghost Fleet in a small group: a rare combination — a historically significant wreck destination, dived in a group capped at four guests with a dedicated PADI instructor.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An ethical dugong expedition, not a tourist show: a full day at the northern seagrass meadows with a respectful, distance-keeping approach to one of the world's rarest marine mammals.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Optional day trips — Tour B lagoon day and Dugong Expedition — available as add-ons, so you can shape the week to the version of Coron you came for.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Certified OR uncertified — the week fits both: already certified? Dive the Ghost Fleet directly. New to scuba? Add the PADI course at booking and complete it inside the same retreat week.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Founder-led and Swiss-organised: a real person (Rocío) behind every booking, answering questions before, during, and after the retreat.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Randy Dingding — calm, technical, deeply local: years of experience in Coron Bay's specific conditions. Knows each wreck, each current, each entry point.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Small group, women-only, solo-traveller friendly: capped at four guests. You are not a number on a trip list — you are one of a few.

●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Private airport transfer from Busuanga Airport (USU) on arrival and departure●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6 nights accommodation — Corto del Mar or MO2 Lagoon Coron (chosen at booking)●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Daily breakfast at your hotel●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; PADI certification course with Randy Dingding and Corto Divers — Open Water (3 days) or Advanced Open Water (2 days) — chosen at booking●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All standard scuba equipment (included with the course — mask, wetsuit, BCD, regulator, tank, weights, fins)●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Local transport for all retreat activities●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Host support throughout

●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Flights to and from Coron / Busuanga Airport (USU)●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Travel insurance (required)●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Lunch and dinner on in-town days●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; PADI certification course — optional add-on at bookingA full-day boat journey to the seagrass meadows of northern Palawan, where dugongs — the sea manatees, rare and protected — graze in the shallows. Not guaranteed. Dugongs are wild and unpredictable, and the expedition is run with respect: no chasing, no touching, calm water entries only. But when they come, they come close — and quietly. Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments included on the boat. One of the most meaningful days you can have in Coron.

The base retreat is designed around your PADI certification course. Optional day trips (Tour B lagoons, Dugong Expedition) are available as add-ons at booking. Certified divers use this package directly. If you are not certified yet, you add your course at booking; the first three days of the retreat become the training days.PADI Open Water (beginner) runs across Days 2–4 — three full days of progressive training, moving from confined water skills to open-water dives, ending with your international certification. You train in Coron's reef and wreck environments.PADI Advanced Open Water (for those already holding Open Water) runs over two days and includes deep diving, navigation, and elective specialties — with the option to incorporate wreck diving as one of your specialty dives, which fits Coron's Ghost Fleet sites perfectly.Both courses are conducted through Corto Divers, the PADI dive centre based at Corto del Mar Hotel — a well-organised operation with strong local knowledge of Coron Bay's conditions, currents, and most interesting dive sites.

In September 1944, American aircraft sank a fleet of Japanese supply and naval vessels anchored in Coron Bay. The ships sank in relatively shallow water — between 15 and 40 metres — and over the following decades, the ocean claimed them entirely. Today, the Ghost Fleet is one of the most celebrated wreck diving destinations in the world: massive steel structures encrusted in coral, filled with schooling fish, and navigable by divers with the right guidance.&nbsp;One of the most accessible sites is the Lusong Gunboat, a small Japanese patrol vessel resting in very shallow water — close enough to the surface that its silhouette is visible from above. It is draped in soft corals and surrounded by reef life, and diving or snorkelling it is a genuinely moving experience: history and nature occupying the same space, each softening the edges of the other.&nbsp;For scuba divers, the Ghost Fleet wrecks offer an extraordinary combination of underwater history, marine biodiversity, and the particular atmosphere that comes from exploring a large structure in open water. Randy's local knowledge of each site — the entry points, the marine life, the conditions on any given day — makes a real difference to how much you are able to see and understand.

The Ghost Fleet

<h3>Corto del Mar Hotel — recommended for scuba</h3>A boutique hotel in the heart of Coron Town, Corto del Mar is the most seamless option for scuba guests — Corto Divers operates directly from the hotel, so each day flows naturally between rest, preparation, and time in the water. The hotel has elegant, calm interiors, a serene pool setting, and a warm, intimate atmosphere that makes it feel like part of the retreat itself rather than simply a place to sleep.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Room type: Private single-occupancy rooms.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Setting: Central Coron Town, walking distance to restaurants and the waterfront.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On-site: Pool, restaurant, Corto Divers dive centre on the property.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wi-Fi: Included.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air-con: Yes, in all rooms.<h3>MO2 Lagoon Coron — alternative option</h3>Set slightly away from the centre of town, MO2 Lagoon Coron offers more space, more quiet, and a stronger sense of being tucked away. Surrounded by greenery with lagoon-style pools, it is a beautiful place to rest and recover between dive days. A short tricycle ride is needed to reach the main departure points, but many guests find the calm it offers more than worth it.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Room type: Private single-occupancy rooms.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Setting: Quieter area outside Coron Town, surrounded by greenery and lagoon-style pools.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On-site: Multiple pools, restaurant, garden.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wi-Fi: Included.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air-con: Yes, in all rooms.Property (Corto del Mar or MO2 Lagoon) is matched at booking. All prices are per person, single-occupancy throughout.&nbsp;Room type is chosen at booking. All prices are per person.

Breakfast is included every day at your hotel. Lunch and dinner are at your own pace — part of the design of this retreat. Coron has a strong local food culture: waterfront seafood grills, Filipino home-cooking, and a handful of international restaurants within easy walking distance. Lunches on the Tour B and dugong days are included on-boat or purchased locally, depending on the day.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Included: Daily breakfast at Corto del Mar or MO2 Lagoon.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Not included: Lunch and dinner on in-town days. Local restaurants in Coron are excellent and affordable.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Dietary needs: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergen-aware options can be arranged — let us know at booking.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Water: Filtered drinking water provided at the hotel to refill your bottle.

This retreat is designed for women who want to experience Coron's extraordinary underwater world at a pace that feels safe, guided, and genuinely meaningful — not just another dive trip.<h3>This retreat is for you if you</h3>●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; are a certified diver wanting to dive the Ghost Fleet in a small group●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; want to earn your PADI certification in one of the most iconic dive destinations in Asia●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; are drawn to underwater history — the wrecks, the story of what the ocean has reclaimed●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; prefer a small, intimate group over a large dive boat operation●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; are travelling solo and want structure and support without losing independence●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; care about ethical wildlife encounters and responsible travel<h3>This retreat is probably not for you if you</h3>●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; are looking for a party or high-energy group dynamic●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; want a fast-paced schedule with multiple dives per day from day one●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; prefer highly technical or cave diving environmentsYou don't need experience. You need reasonable comfort in the water and a genuine curiosity about what lies beneath it.

Randy Dingding is a PADI scuba diving instructor based in Coron, Palawan, with extensive local knowledge of Coron Bay's wreck and reef sites. He guides divers through some of the most complex and historically significant dive environments in Southeast Asia — including wreck penetrations, thermocline lakes, and diverse reef ecosystems.&nbsp;Divers consistently highlight his calm, supportive approach during both certification courses and advanced dives. His familiarity with Coron's changing conditions, visibility, and currents means he knows when and where to dive to give you the best possible experience on any given day.&nbsp;“Stay calm, move slowly, and respect the underwater environment.” — Randy Dingding&nbsp;Randy operates through Corto Divers, the PADI dive centre at Corto del Mar Hotel in Coron Town. cortodivers.com

Your instructor — Randy Dingding

7 Day Scuba Diving Retreat with Certification in Coron Palawan

<h3>Corto del Mar Hotel — recommended for scuba</h3>A boutique hotel in the heart of Coron Town, Corto del Mar is the most seamless option for scuba guests — Corto Divers operates directly from the hotel, so each day flows naturally between rest, preparation, and time in the water. The hotel has elegant, calm interiors, a serene pool setting, and a warm, intimate atmosphere that makes it feel like part of the retreat itself rather than simply a place to sleep.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Room type: Private single-occupancy rooms.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Setting: Central Coron Town, walking distance to restaurants and the waterfront.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On-site: Pool, restaurant, Corto Divers dive centre on the property.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wi-Fi: Included.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air-con: Yes, in all rooms.Private rooms, single occupancy. <h3>Price includes PADI Open Water certification course (3 days)</h3>The entry-level PADI scuba qualification — your international certification, recognised worldwide. No prior experience required. Covers theory, confined-water skills, and four open-water dives with Randy and the Corto Divers team.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Includes: theory, pool training, 4 open-water training dives, equipment, PADI e-learning, certification fee.

Corto del Mar Hotel — PADI Open Water 

<h3>Corto del Mar Hotel — recommended for scuba</h3>A boutique hotel in the heart of Coron Town, Corto del Mar is the most seamless option for scuba guests — Corto Divers operates directly from the hotel, so each day flows naturally between rest, preparation, and time in the water. The hotel has elegant, calm interiors, a serene pool setting, and a warm, intimate atmosphere that makes it feel like part of the retreat itself rather than simply a place to sleep.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Room type: Private single-occupancy rooms.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Setting: Central Coron Town, walking distance to restaurants and the waterfront.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On-site: Pool, restaurant, Corto Divers dive centre on the property.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wi-Fi: Included.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air-con: Yes, in all rooms.Private rooms, single occupancy.<h3>Price includes PADI Advanced Open Water certification (2 days)</h3>For those who already hold Open Water (or equivalent). Deeper dives, navigation, buoyancy refinement, and specialty skills — one of which can be wreck diving, which fits Coron's Ghost Fleet sites perfectly.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Includes: theory, 5 specialty training dives, equipment, PADI fee.

Corto del Mar Hotel — PADI AOW Course

<h3>MO2 Lagoon Coron — alternative option</h3>Set slightly away from the centre of town, MO2 Lagoon Coron offers more space, more quiet, and a stronger sense of being tucked away. Surrounded by greenery with lagoon-style pools, it is a beautiful place to rest and recover between dive days. A short tricycle ride is needed to reach the main departure points, but many guests find the calm it offers more than worth it.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Room type: Private single-occupancy rooms.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Setting: Quieter area outside Coron Town, surrounded by greenery and lagoon-style pools.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On-site: Multiple pools, restaurant, garden.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wi-Fi: Included.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air-con: Yes, in all rooms.Private rooms, single occupancy. <h3>Price includes PADI Open Water certification course (3 days)</h3>The entry-level PADI scuba qualification — your international certification, recognised worldwide. No prior experience required. Covers theory, confined-water skills, and four open-water dives with Randy and the Corto Divers team.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Includes: theory, pool training, 4 open-water training dives, equipment, PADI e-learning, certification fee.

MO2 Lagoon Coron — PADI Open Water 

<h3>MO2 Lagoon Coron — alternative option</h3>Set slightly away from the centre of town, MO2 Lagoon Coron offers more space, more quiet, and a stronger sense of being tucked away. Surrounded by greenery with lagoon-style pools, it is a beautiful place to rest and recover between dive days. A short tricycle ride is needed to reach the main departure points, but many guests find the calm it offers more than worth it.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Room type: Private single-occupancy rooms.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Setting: Quieter area outside Coron Town, surrounded by greenery and lagoon-style pools.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On-site: Multiple pools, restaurant, garden.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wi-Fi: Included.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Air-con: Yes, in all rooms. Private rooms, single occupancy. <h3>Price includes PADI Advanced Open Water certification (2 days)</h3>For those who already hold Open Water (or equivalent). Deeper dives, navigation, buoyancy refinement, and specialty skills — one of which can be wreck diving, which fits Coron's Ghost Fleet sites perfectly.●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Includes: theory, 5 specialty training dives, equipment, PADI fee.

MO2 Lagoon Coron — PADI AOW Course

An island day by boat through Coron's iconic limestone seascape. Kayangan Lake — voted one of the cleanest lakes in the Philippines, ringed by vertical cliffs. Twin Lagoons, accessed at low tide through a narrow stone arch. The Lusong Gunboat, a WWII wreck shallow enough to snorkel with coral now growing over the hull. Lunch on the boat, swim stops throughout. One of the most photographed corners of the world — and a proper break from diving.

A full-day boat journey to the seagrass meadows of northern Palawan, where dugongs — the sea manatees, rare and protected — graze in the shallows. Not guaranteed. Dugongs are wild and unpredictable, and the expedition is run with respect: no chasing, no touching, calm water entries only. But when they come, they come close — and quietly. Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments included on the boat.

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