Coron: Calauit Safari Black Island Lunch & Transfer included

Giraffes come right up to your lunch money. This unusual Coron day trip combines giraffe and zebra feeding at Calauit Wildlife Safari with a boat ride to Black Island, where white sand, reef water, caves, and possible cliff jumping await. I like the rare chance to stand beside a giraffe and the contrast between wildlife inland and beach time offshore. The main drawback is the long road journey, plus the fact that bad weather can cancel Black Island after much of the day has already passed.

At $94 per person, the tour covers a lot: hotel transport, boat service, safari truck, guide, permits, animal feeding, lunch, bottled water, snacks, and a beach cottage. Still, you should book it for the giraffe encounter first, not for a polished African-style safari or a relaxed island day.

Key points to know before booking

• Giraffe feeding is the star attraction: You can get close enough to feed the giraffes, and sometimes stroke them.
• Calauit is a basic wildlife park, not an open-range African safari: Giraffes and zebras roam a large grassy area, while some other animals stay in enclosed spaces.
• Black Island adds real variety: Expect white sand, swimming, snorkeling, dramatic caves, and possible cliff-jumping spots.
• The day is long and road-heavy: Plan on roughly 9 to 10 hours, with several stops for fuel and restrooms.
• The $94 price includes the main costs: Transport, boat, entrance fees, lunch, safari truck, and beach shelter are all covered.
• Weather can change the plan: Black Island may be skipped for safety, so ask how the operator handles that situation before you pay.

Why this Coron day trip is different

Most Coron excursions focus on lagoons, reefs, and island beaches. This one gives you a very different day, with African animals, a rural drive across Busuanga, a small hilltop church, and a beach stop at Black Island.

That mix is the appeal. I would choose this trip if you have already spent several days on the water and want something that breaks up the usual island-hopping pattern. It also suits families and animal lovers who place a high value on the giraffe encounter.

The tradeoff is pace. You leave Coron town proper in the morning, spend time on the road, visit Calauit for around two hours, continue through Busuanga, and finish at Black Island for roughly three hours. This is not a slow day with long stretches at one beach.

The tour is limited to 12 people, which is a useful size for boarding boats, moving through the park, and keeping track of the timetable. It is still a shared outing, so you need to cooperate when the guide calls the group back to the van or boat.

The early drive from Coron to Calauit port

Pickup is included from hotels in Coron town proper. The van is air-conditioned, a welcome feature in Palawan’s heat, but the drive takes time and the standard Philippine vans can feel cramped for anyone close to six feet tall.

I would wear loose clothes and keep your day bag small. Several stops are made for fuel and restroom breaks, but this remains a road-heavy outing. One poor experience centered on a bad van and lost time, so transport is a genuine part of the value calculation, not a minor detail.

The route toward Calauit gives you a look at the larger Busuanga area beyond Coron’s harbor. After reaching the port, you board a tourist boat with a professional vest provided. The boat transfer is part of the adventure, though sea conditions can affect the later Black Island section.

Bring a charged phone, but do not rely on it as your only camera. You will want both hands free around the animals, and a waterproof pouch is sensible for the boat and swimming stops.

Meeting giraffes at Calauit Wildlife Safari

On arrival, an orientation explains the park facilities and the rules for responsible animal contact. Take this seriously. The giraffes are large, powerful animals, even when they seem calm and gentle.

A safari truck carries the group through the park while the guide points out the animals and local plants. The animal list includes bushbucks, elands, gazelles, waterbucks, topis, deer, monkeys, and zebras, along with the giraffes.

The giraffe feeding is the moment that gives this trip its price tag. You can stand close to an animal several times taller than you, offer food, and possibly touch it. One person described the experience of a giraffe passing only a short distance away as a once-in-a-lifetime moment. That captures the charm better than any standard wildlife checklist.

The zebras can also come close, but you should keep your distance and follow instructions. They may bite if approached too closely. This is not a petting zoo, and the animals do not exist solely for photographs.

What Calauit is, and what it is not

Set your expectations carefully. Calauit is not the vast African safari many people picture. Giraffes and zebras move around a large grassy area, giving you a pleasant sense of space, but the park itself is modest.

Some of the other animals are kept in smaller enclosed areas. The condition of those enclosures may feel basic, and that can raise uncomfortable questions about animal care. If ethical wildlife tourism is central to your holiday, you should consider this point before booking and ask the operator how the animals are managed.

The park can also take longer than expected. One part of the animal area has been described as less useful than the giraffe section, especially when time at Black Island is limited. I would focus your attention on the giraffes, zebras, and the species you most want to see rather than expecting a full zoo visit.

Your guide makes a difference here. Bernart has been associated with this tour and was praised for keeping safety and the overall experience in mind. Guide quality can vary, so use the orientation to ask clear questions about animal contact, timing, and the later boat transfer.

Malbato Church and the Busuanga road section

After Calauit, the group drives back toward Busuanga town proper. The advertised route includes local landmarks and Malbato Church, a small church on a hill with a rustic feel.

Its construction is the unusual part. Stones and seashells are used in place of the more familiar limestone finish, giving the building a handmade character. It is not a major cathedral visit, but it offers a short cultural pause between the wildlife park and the beach.

Keep your expectations flexible. The full route may not always happen as written, especially if the group is behind schedule or weather affects the boat plan. A disappointing day can result if you assume every listed stop is guaranteed. Ask the guide early whether the church stop is still planned.

The road section also explains why this tour can feel tiring. You are not simply moving from one nearby beach to another. You are crossing parts of Busuanga by van, with the time shaped by road conditions, refueling, restroom stops, and the pace of the shared group.

Lunch, caves, and white sand at Black Island

Black Island is the reward at the end of the inland portion. Lunch is provided, along with bottled water and snacks, and beach cottages are included. Since no other meals are covered, eat a proper breakfast before pickup and carry a little cash for anything extra.

The beach itself is described as exceptionally attractive, with clean white sand and clear water. The reef around the island makes it suitable for shallow snorkeling and free-diving, with a dramatic drop-off close to the island.

The caves are the most memorable feature for many people. The first cave is huge, reaching at least 40 feet high, and morning light can fall across two clear pools inside. That gives the stop something more than a standard beach break. You can swim, explore the cave area, and take photographs that look very different from the usual Coron postcard.

The schedule allows about three hours at Black Island. That is enough for lunch and a swim, but it may feel short if you want to snorkel, explore the caves, relax on the sand, and try a jump from one of the cliff spots. The listed highlights include cliff jumping, but the activity should depend on sea conditions, safety instructions, and your own comfort.

Weather is the biggest uncertainty. One outing failed to reach Black Island because of bad conditions, and the change was communicated only after several hours had passed. That is frustrating, especially because the island is a major reason to book the tour. Ask before departure what happens if the boat cannot go, including whether there is a partial refund or replacement plan.

What the $94 price really covers

At $94, this is not a cheap beach transfer. It is a bundled full-day outing with several moving parts.

The price includes:

• Roundtrip air-conditioned van pickup and drop-off in Coron town proper
• Tourist boat transport
• Professional vest
• Licensed English-speaking guide
• Calauit safari truck
• Animal feeding
• Entrance fees and permits
• Picnic lunch, bottled water, and snacks
• Beach cottage at Black Island

That package can be good value if every major section operates. Paying separately for a private van, boat, park admission, safari truck, guide, food, and beach shelter could easily become complicated. The small group limit also makes the cost more reasonable than a large coach excursion.

The value drops if you mainly want Black Island. In that case, a dedicated island outing may give you more time on the beach and less time in a van. The value also drops if the safari park’s basic animal enclosures make you uncomfortable.

I see this as a specialist tour. You are paying for access to an unusual animal encounter and a convenient combination of inland and island sights, not for luxury transport or a carefully paced wildlife program.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it to you if:

• You want a break from Coron’s usual water activities.
• Feeding a giraffe is high on your wish list.
• You enjoy unusual combinations of wildlife, local sights, and beach time.
• You are happy with a full 9 to 10-hour shared day.
• You can manage van steps, boat boarding, walking, swimming, and uneven ground.
• You are comfortable with a basic wildlife park rather than a modern zoo.

I would hesitate if you have limited mobility, dislike long drives, or need a roomy vehicle. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, altitude sickness, or anyone over 95 years old according to the stated restrictions.

You should also skip it if your main goal is a peaceful island day. The tour includes plenty of travel between stops, and the Black Island time is limited. If the island matters most, confirm the weather policy before booking.

Practical packing advice for the full day

Wear comfortable clothes that work for both the safari truck and the beach. Pack swimwear, a change of clothes, sunscreen, flip-flops, and beachwear.

Bring cash even though lunch and the listed fees are covered. A charged smartphone and camera are useful, but protect electronics around the water. Do not bring alcohol or drugs.

I would also bring a light cover-up, a reusable water container if you have one, and a small dry bag. Those last items are practical suggestions for a long mixed land-and-sea day, while the provided bottled water and snacks cover the stated refreshments.

Book a hotel within Coron town proper if you want to use the included pickup. The free pickup applies there, not automatically to every accommodation in the wider Coron area.

Should you book the Calauit and Black Island tour?

Book this trip if the giraffe feeding is the main reason you are interested. That close contact is unusual, memorable, and hard to duplicate during a normal Coron holiday. Black Island then adds caves, swimming, reef water, lunch, and a beautiful change of scene.

Do not book it expecting a polished safari, spacious transport, or guaranteed time at every stop. The van may feel tight, the schedule can lose time, animal enclosures may trouble you, and bad weather can remove Black Island from the day.

My practical verdict: this is a worthwhile but uneven choice for animal lovers who want variety and accept a long shared itinerary. Before paying, ask three things: Is Black Island currently safe to visit, is Malbato Church included on that day, and what compensation applies if weather cancels the island stop? If the answers are clear and giraffes are your priority, $94 can be fair value.

FAQ

Where does the tour pick up passengers?

Pickup and drop-off are included from accommodations in Coron town proper.

How long does the experience last?

The full day is expected to take about 9 to 10 hours, depending on road conditions, weather, and the pace of the shared group.

What animals can I see at Calauit Wildlife Safari?

The park includes giraffes, zebras, bushbucks, elands, gazelles, waterbucks, topis, deer, monkeys, and other local wildlife.

Can I feed the giraffes?

Yes. Animal feeding is included, and the giraffe encounter allows you to get very close to them.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A picnic lunch with bottled water and snacks is included. Other meals are not included.

What activities are available at Black Island?

You can eat lunch, swim, snorkel in shallow reef water, explore the caves, and possibly use cliff-jumping spots, depending on conditions and safety guidance.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, comfortable clothing, sunscreen, flip-flops, beachwear, cash, a camera, and a charged smartphone. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.