Kayangan Lake, Coron

Coron Island, in the Calamian group north of mainland Palawan, is a mass of sheer limestone cliffs surrounded by turquoise water. Kayangan Lake lies inside it, a clear, cool lake of mixed fresh and salt water ringed by jagged rock and forest.

From the boat landing, a stepped path climbs for about ten minutes to a viewpoint looking back over the cove, the classic image of Coron, before dropping to boardwalks at the lake’s edge, where you can swim wearing a life jacket. Tours usually add Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake and snorkelling over coral gardens.

The steps are steep but short, and most travellers manage them at a gentle pace. Go early to reach the viewpoint before the crowds. Busuanga airport, near Coron town, has flights from Manila, and the area also draws divers to its Second World War shipwrecks.