by Black Island, also popularly known by locals as Malajon Island in Busuanga features dark limestones and natural caves. My group and I stayed on this island for 2 days and 1 night the DIY-way! So if you’re planning a trip here, this Travel Guide to Black Island contains everything you need to know!
Most people mistaken Black Island to be part of Coron when it is actually located in the north-western corner of Busuanga. While islands in Coron are so crowded any day of the week, Busuanga remains laid-back and patiently waiting to be explored.
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What You Need to Know About Black Island, Busuanga Palawan
Made unique by its dark limestones that almost looked like a small piece of charcoal from afar. Black Island is definitely the island to be if you’re looking for a camping trip away from the touristy Busuanga and Coron town proper.
If you’re looking for a unique adventure jump-packed with a stunning white sand beach for sunbathing, healthy coral reef to snorkel, a Japanese WW2 shipwreck to freedive and a natural cave for adventure, then Black Island in the Palawan Archipelago is the place for you!
How to Get to Black Island in Busuanga?
There are 2 ways on how to get to Black Island in Busuanga: (1) is DIY way and (2) is booking a tour from Coron town. DIY is highly recommended if you are in a large group. Otherwise the expenses will cost your arm and leg.
For example if you are about 5-10 people, you can rent a van transfer to and from the port in Busuanga and then rent a boat to the island. Black Island in Busuanga is about 1.5 hours from Coron town to port. Afterwards you will ride a boat for approximately 30-40 minutes to get to Black Island.
Where to Stay in Black Island?
Take note that there are no hotels or restaurants on the island. If you are planning to do an overnight here, the only option is to bring a tent or hammock with you. Although there are cottages available for rent, it doesn’t include beds of any sorts. Black Island will surely give you that camping experience!
Food, Water, Toilet in Black Island
Moreover, there are toilets where you can bathe but take note that the water is brackish. There are small stores selling snacks especially during weekends but not so during weekdays. So be prepared and bring enough food and water depending on how long you are planning to stay there.
Things to Do in Black Island
Below are the things you can do on the island! Our group also visited some of the wild Dugongs around the island. We were lucky enough to spot 2 Dugongs in the wild, Cam and Pingas!
Explore the Stunning Beach
The first thing I noticed from afar aside from the island’s dark feature was its very own stunning beach! I recognized the same admiration just like any other island I’ve seen in Palawan. Stunning and beautiful! However this beach has a touch of black and dark limestones.
Snorkeling Activity
Black Island is blessed with a healthy marine biodiversity. On good days when the waves aren’t rough, tourists can go snorkeling in front of the beach.
We were also lucky enough that our friends slash local tour guides from Palawan are natural spearfishers. Hence, most of our food for the whole 2 days and 1 night stay on the island came from spearfishing in front of Black Island’s stunning beach. We feasted on Lobsters, Sweetlips and Barracuda which was some of the fishes they caught for us. Truly an ocean to plate meal to remember!
Freedive the Japanese WW2 Shipwreck
If you are a Freediver or a Scuba Diver, the Japanese WW2 Shipwreck located in front of Black Island’s beach is definitely something to lookout for! The shipwreck, also known as Nanshin Maru, lies at a maximum depth of 32 meters.
Moreover, the shipwreck is swimmable from the shore. On good days with good visibility, you can see the whole shipwreck from the surface! It can also be a favorite training ground for depth diving for Freedivers because the wreck starts at 21 meters. And just a friendly reminder, never dive alone!
Check the Black Island Cave
Just when you thought that things around are already at its best, the natural caves on the island will give you another different kind of adventure! After snorkeling or freediving, you can check out and explore ,the natural caves. The cave’s mouth is huge and there is enough light inside.
During rainy season, there is continuous flow of water inside the cave and tourists can enjoy taking a quick bath. But when the water is dry and stagnant, it may not be good for any swimming activities.
Dugong Watching Side-trip
We were also lucky enough to encounter 2 Dugongs in the wild namely Cam and Pingas. As per our guide, Dugong’s do not interact with people as part of their nature. They will only come near you out of curiosity and once they’ve seen you, they’ll immediately flee.
We encountered Cam once or twice when we were snorkeling around. Cam checked us out and swam away before we can even turn on our cameras. Pingas on the other hand, was completely the opposite of Cam. Our guide told us that Pingas has an abnormality. His current state is the reason why we could watch him closely without him swimming away. Pingas was very playful, he kept rolling around the sea bed for fun. Very cute!
Moreover, Dugongs are territorial especially from their kind. As a result, there is only 1 Dugong in 1 island. The locals named the Dugongs after the island where they live. So Pingas lives in Pingas Island, and Cam lives in Cam Island!
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