How to go from El Nido to Coron by Ferry: the Atienza Ferry
Considering taking the ferry from El Nido to Coron? In this guide, I’ll walk you through booking your tickets with Atienza and share my experience with the ferry ride itself. Plus, I’ll explain why I’d opt for a flight instead if I were to do it again!
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Booking Your Tickets
When planning our trip from Coron to El Nido, we decided to book our ferry tickets in advance. We used Bookaway.com to book tickets for the Atienza ferry, which cost about $60 per person. Pre-booking seemed like a good idea to secure our seats and avoid any last-minute hassles.
Picking Up the Tickets
On the day of our journey, we headed to the Atienza El Nido office about two hours before the scheduled departure to pick up our tickets. To our surprise, the ticket booth was not located at the ferry terminal but quite a distance away. We had to walk under the burning sun from the ticketing office to the port, which was not a pleasant experience.
Navigating the Port Procedures
The port’s waiting area is outdoors and barely shaded, making it quite uncomfortable on a hot day. According to the Coron Port Authority Protocol, passengers are required to arrive at least one hour before departure to check-in. This check-in process involves paying a small cash fee to an agent sitting at a plastic table outdoors. In return, the agent gives you a piece of paper that you need to board the ferry.
It’s crucial to arrive an hour in advance because the check-in agent packs up and leaves, and without that piece of paper, you won’t be able to board the ferry. We saw several people miss their ferry because they arrived too late and couldn’t get their check-in paper.
Enduring the Ferry Waiting Period
Once the agent leaves, you’re left waiting in the sun with only a few fans to provide some relief. There’s no one available to provide information, and it’s common for the ferry to be extremely late. On our day, the ferry was over two hours late, which added to the discomfort of waiting.
Boarding the El Nido to Coron Ferry
Before boarding, local security asks all passengers to place their belongings, including bags, on the ground in a designated area for inspection by dogs. Once the inspection is complete, you can pick up your belongings and board the ferry.
The ferry had an indoor air-conditioned area with comfortable seats, which was a relief after waiting in the sun. Contrary to some reviews, the air conditioning was just right during our trip. There was also an outdoor space for those who wanted to enjoy the view. However, one issue we encountered was the lack of space for luggage storage. Many bags were tied with strings to various areas of the ferry, which was not very convenient.
The ferry ride itself took about 4 hours.
Is it worth it taking the Ferry from El Nido to Coron instead of the flight?
My plain answer is no. Next time I need to travel between El Nido and Coron, I will definitely opt for a flight.
Although the ferry ride seemed like a fun and convenient option initially, it turned out to be less convenient and more of a hassle than I anticipated. Flights are similarly priced but much faster, more predictable, and a lot less stressful.
