Coron: Calauit Safari Black Island Lunch & Transfer included

The most memorable moment here is likely to be a giraffe lowering its long neck toward you for a snack. The day also pairs that animal encounter with Black Island’s white sand, clear pools, and enormous caves, making it a useful choice if you want a break from Coron’s usual boat-and-snorkel routine.

I like the chance to feed giraffes and walk close to zebras, and I like that lunch, transport, permits, and animal feeding are included in the $94 price. The tradeoff is the long road-and-boat day, plus a safari park that feels more like a wildlife facility than a classic African game drive.

Key points at a glance

• Giraffe feeding is the main event: You can get close to the giraffes and may be able to touch them while feeding them.
• Black Island adds real variety: Expect lunch, swimming, shallow-water snorkeling, dramatic drop-offs, and large caves with clear pools.
• This is not a wide-open game reserve: The safari includes a large grassy area, but some animals are kept in smaller enclosures.
• The day can run 9 to 10 hours: Road conditions, boat timing, fuel stops, restroom breaks, and group pace all affect the schedule.
• Transport is practical but not luxurious: The air-conditioned van may feel tight for anyone around 6 feet tall.
• Small groups help: The maximum group size is 12, although the quality of the guiding can shape the day.

What the $94 Coron day actually includes

At $94 per person, this is not a cheap beach outing. It is a full-day package that combines land transport, a boat, the Calauit tour truck, entrance permits, a licensed guide, animal feeding, lunch, bottled water, snacks, and a beach cottage.

That bundle gives the price some logic. Arranging Calauit and Black Island separately could be awkward, especially since both require transport beyond Coron town. You are paying for convenience as much as for the sights.

Still, value depends on your priorities. If feeding a giraffe is high on your list, the cost may feel fair. If you mainly want a beautiful beach and caves, a shorter boat trip around Coron could offer more time in the water and less time in a van.

The day is shared and limited to 12 people. That is a more manageable size than a large island-hopping boat, but it does not guarantee a private experience. Everyone needs to keep to the agreed schedule so the group can reach both Calauit and Black Island.

The early pickup and ride to Calauit Port

Pickup is offered from hotels in Coron town proper. The van is air-conditioned, which matters in Palawan’s heat, but the ride is one of the parts you should approach with realistic expectations.

The standard Philippine vans are built with the average Filipino passenger in mind. If you are around 6 feet tall, legroom may feel limited. One customer described the van as poor and complained that too much time was lost, so transport is a genuine point to weigh before booking.

The drive leads toward Calauit Port, where you board a tourist boat for Calauit Wildlife Safari. The exact timing depends on road conditions and the group, with several stops for fuel and restrooms along the way.

Bring water even though bottled water is supplied, and keep your phone charged. A long day with road travel, walking, heat, and swimming is easier when you have basic supplies close at hand.

Meeting the animals at Calauit Wildlife Safari

At the park, an orientation covers the facilities and rules for responsible animal contact. You then ride or walk through the grounds with a guide who explains the animals and the local plant and animal life.

The setting is not a huge African reserve. Think of it as a compact wildlife park with a broad grassy area where giraffes and zebras can move around, plus other animal areas. You may see bushbucks, elands, gazelles, waterbucks, topis, deer, monkeys, and zebras.

The giraffes are the clear reason to come. Feeding one at close range gives you a rare scale comparison: an animal several meters tall can bring its head down to about your height with surprising calm. This is the kind of simple, direct encounter that children and animal lovers often remember long after the day ends.

You may also get close to zebras. Keep in mind that they are not tame pets. One account specifically warns that zebras can bite if you move too close, so follow the park rules and the guide’s instructions.

The word safari can create the wrong picture. You are not crossing a vast wilderness in search of animals. You are visiting a managed facility, and the experience has a zoo-like side. Some people will appreciate the chance to see animals up close. Others may find the enclosures uncomfortable or question the welfare standards.

That ethical question is important. One particularly negative account raised concerns about small enclosures, water, and food for some animals. Those claims are not something I can independently verify here, but they are serious enough that animal welfare should be part of your decision. If you only support wildlife experiences with strong conservation credentials and spacious natural habitats, this may not be the right outing for you.

The safari portion is scheduled for about two hours. That can feel just right if giraffe feeding is your priority. It can feel long if the second part of the park tour adds animals held in enclosures rather than close encounters in open grassland.

The planned Busuanga stops and Malbato Church

After Calauit, the program includes a drive back toward Busuanga town proper, with a chance to see local landmarks. It also lists Malbato Church, a small hilltop church with a rustic character.

Its unusual construction is part of the appeal. The building uses stones and seashells rather than the more traditional limestone style often associated with older churches in the Philippines. That gives the stop a local, handmade quality and breaks up the wildlife and beach portions of the day.

Keep your expectations measured. This is not a dedicated history tour, and the exact amount of time available for town sights depends on the road, the group, and the conditions at sea. One unhappy account said the town landmarks and church were not visited, so you should treat these as intended stops rather than the main reason to book.

If you especially want to see Malbato Church, confirm the day’s plan with the operator before departure. The most dependable parts of the experience are the Calauit visit and the Black Island stop, weather permitting.

Lunch and swimming at Black Island

The day finishes with Black Island, also known as a stop near Panlaitan in Busuanga. Lunch is served there, along with bottled water and snacks. Beach cottages are included, giving you a place to settle out of the sun.

The beach is the strongest visual contrast to the safari. White sand, clear water, and the reef around the island create a good setting for swimming and shallow-water snorkeling. The reef also has a dramatic drop-off, which appeals to confident swimmers and free-divers.

You should bring swimwear, a towel or change of clothes, sunscreen, flip-flops, and a waterproof way to protect your phone or camera. Cash is also listed as useful, though no extra purchase is specified.

The timing matters. The scheduled Black Island stop lasts about three hours, but one account felt that the time there was too short because the island was the best part of the day. That is a fair concern. A long journey to reach a beautiful beach can leave you wishing for another hour in the water.

Weather can change the plan. One booking was unable to reach Black Island because of conditions, with the change reportedly explained only after several hours. The operator cannot control rough seas, but you can ask how weather decisions are handled before you leave Coron. If Black Island is your main goal, check the marine forecast and understand that this portion is not guaranteed.

The caves are the quiet highlight

The caves on Black Island may be more memorable than the snorkeling. The first cave is described as huge, with a ceiling at least 40 feet high. Morning light reaches into the space and catches two clear pools inside.

This is a different sort of attraction from the beach. You get shade, cool air, rock walls, and still water after a hot day outside. The caves also give the stop a sense of discovery without requiring a long hike.

You should still take care around wet rock and water edges. The supplied information does not specify ladders, safety equipment, or the exact route through the caves, so listen closely to the guide and do not treat every jump or swim as compulsory.

Cliff jumping and water safety

Black Island has cliff-jumping spots for people who want more excitement. This is a welcome extra for confident swimmers, but it should not be treated as a required part of the trip.

The listing does not give jump heights, water depth, or a detailed safety system. Check the landing area before jumping, follow the guide’s instructions, and skip it if conditions look uncertain. Swimming, sitting on the beach, snorkeling, and visiting the caves are enough to make the stop worthwhile.

The reef and drop-off also call for care. Wear suitable footwear if the terrain is sharp, and do not swim beyond your comfort level simply because the water looks calm.

Guide quality can shape the whole day

The tour includes a licensed English-speaking guide. A small group of up to 12 should make it easier to hear instructions and ask questions.

One positive account singled out a guide named Bernart, describing him as attentive to safety and the overall experience. That suggests the right guide can add useful context and help the day move smoothly.

At the same time, one very negative account described the guide as largely absent and distracted. That contrast matters because this is a long shared outing. The guide is responsible for coordinating the schedule, explaining the park rules, helping with transfers, and managing safety around animals and water.

You should judge the experience as partly dependent on the day’s crew. If communication is important to you, ask the coordinator who will lead the tour and confirm the pickup details before leaving.

Who will enjoy this more than a normal island tour?

I would consider this tour if you have already spent a day or two snorkeling or scuba diving around Coron and want something different. It gives you animals, a local church, a beach, caves, and swimming in one long day.

Families may like the giraffe feeding, though the day is tiring and the group must follow a fixed pace. Animal lovers should think carefully about the park’s facilities before booking. The close contact is special, but the experience is not the same as visiting a large conservation reserve.

You should be comfortable with a full day of transfers and outdoor activity. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, altitude sickness, or those over 95 years old. The supplied information also warns that the van may be cramped for taller passengers.

This is not the best match if you want a slow beach day. The travel time is substantial, and the Black Island visit can be shortened by weather, road delays, or group timing.

What to pack for the 10-hour outing

Wear comfortable clothes and bring swimwear, beachwear, sunscreen, flip-flops, a camera, a charged smartphone, cash, and a change of clothes.

Keep valuables protected during swimming and cave visits. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Since lunch, snacks, and bottled water are included, you do not need to plan for a separate meal, but an extra personal snack may be useful on a long road day.

The tour offers free pickup and drop-off within Coron town proper. Staying in that area is the simplest way to use the included transport.

My booking advice

Book this for the giraffe feeding and Black Island caves, not because you expect a classic safari or a leisurely beach escape. The best moments are distinctive: standing near a giraffe, watching zebras at close range, and entering a large cave with clear pools.

At $94, the package is reasonably priced if you value the convenience of combined transport, permits, meals, and activities. I would hesitate if you are sensitive to animal welfare concerns, tall enough to dislike tight van seating, or mainly interested in spending hours on the beach.

Before paying, confirm the expected Black Island plan, the guide’s name, and what happens if weather blocks the island. With those expectations clear, this is an unusual Coron day with genuine highlights, but also a few practical and ethical question marks.

FAQ

How long does the Calauit Safari and Black Island tour take?

The trip takes approximately 9 to 10 hours. Road conditions, weather, fuel and restroom stops, and the pace of the shared group can affect the final timing.

Where does hotel pickup take place?

Free pickup and drop-off are provided for hotels within Coron town proper.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch, bottled water, snacks, and beach cottages at Black Island are included.

Can I feed the giraffes?

Yes. Animal feeding is included, and the main encounter is feeding the giraffes at Calauit Wildlife Safari.

Is Black Island always included?

Black Island is part of the planned trip, but weather can prevent the boat from reaching it. Sea conditions may change the schedule.

Is the tour private?

No. It is a small-group tour with a maximum of 12 participants.

What language does the guide speak?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The package includes a roundtrip air-conditioned van from Coron town proper, a tourist boat with professional vest, and the Calauit tour truck.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.