Maquinit Hot Spring, Philippines

Quick Facts

Experience

Public Pools & Parks

Access Level

Easy to reach (no hike)

Safety Level

Be mindful

What to Wear

Swimsuit required

Family Friendly

Yes

Entry Fee

Paid

Wheelchair Access

Address

Sitio Maquinit, Coron, 5316 Palawan, Philippines

Overview

About Maquinit Hot Spring

Maquinit Hot Spring, Philippines is a paid saltwater hot spring at Sitio Maquinit, Coron, Palawan, considered the only known saltwater hot spring in the Philippines and one of the very few in Asia. Three geothermal pools at 38 to 40 degrees Celsius are set among mangrove trees with views of the sea and surrounding limestone hills. Entry is PHP 300 per person. Open daily 8 am to 7 pm with last entry at 7 pm. The name derives from the Filipino word mainit, meaning hot.

An active underground volcano beneath Coron on Busuanga Island heats the groundwater, which mixes with nearby seawater to create the saltwater character of the pools. The largest pool holds up to 100 people with a pebble bottom. Two smaller pools hold around 10 people each. A kids pool, wooden mangrove walkways, a misting area, changing rooms, toilets, and a small shop are on site. No lockers are available.

Maquinit is the most commonly recommended evening activity for visitors to Coron, used as a recovery soak after island-hopping or hiking Mount Tapyas. Among the hot springs near Coron, it is the only thermal spring site in the Palawan region.

Location & Access

Getting to Maquinit Hot Spring

Maquinit Hot Spring is approximately 30 minutes from Coron town on the outskirts of Coron municipality on Busuanga Island. The most common way to get there is by tricycle from Coron town, with a fare of approximately PHP 300 to 400 return with the driver waiting at the entrance. The road to Maquinit is rough and unpaved in sections, making the tricycle ride an adventurous part of the experience. Private van transfers can also be arranged through Coron hotels and tour operators.

Maquinit is also included as a stop on the Coron Town Highlights Land Tour offered by many local operators, which typically covers Mount Tapyas viewpoint, a souvenir shop, and the hot spring. Tour packages cost approximately PHP 650 to 800 per person and include transfers. This is a convenient option for visitors who prefer not to negotiate tricycle fares independently.

To reach Coron itself, most visitors fly into Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU) on Busuanga Island, served by several domestic carriers from Manila and Cebu. The airport is approximately 1 hour from Coron town by van. Coron is also accessible by passenger ferry from El Nido as part of a Palawan island-hopping route. For those seeking hot springs near Coron, Maquinit is the only thermal spring on Busuanga Island and requires no additional logistics beyond the tricycle ride from town.

Suitability & Accessibility

Who Should Visit Maquinit Hot Spring

Maquinit Hot Spring suits virtually any visitor to Coron, from couples and solo travellers to families with older children. The saltwater pools, mangrove setting, sea views, and geological rarity make it one of the most distinctive hot spring experiences in the Philippines. It works as a standalone evening outing or as a relaxing end to a full day of Coron island-hopping.

The pools are genuinely hot at 38 to 40 degrees Celsius and require gradual entry. Lifeguards advise limiting soaking to 10 minutes at a stretch with breaks in between. The misting area allows cool-downs between soaks. A separate kids pool accommodates younger children who cannot tolerate the main pool temperature. Evening visits are particularly recommended, when the air temperature drops and golden light over the limestone hills creates an atmospheric soaking experience.

Wheelchair accessibility is not documented. The rough road access and pebble-bottom pools mean this site is not suitable for visitors with mobility impairments. Arriving around 5 pm gives enough time for soaking before the 7 pm entrance cut-off while avoiding peak midday heat. Families seeking hot springs near Coron in a natural mangrove setting will find Maquinit uniquely rewarding, particularly for visitors who have not previously encountered a saltwater hot spring.

Safety & Etiquette

Maquinit Hot Spring Safety Tips

Maquinit Hot Spring is generally safe when visited with proper care. The water reaches 38 to 40 degrees Celsius; enter gradually, starting with feet, then knees, then full immersion to allow your body to adjust. Do not jump in. Lifeguards on site advise limiting soaking to 10 minutes at a time with rest breaks in between. Exit the water if you feel dizzy, nauseous, or overheated. The misting area adjacent to the pools provides a cooling station between soaks; use it.

The saltwater character means the water has a higher mineral and salt content than freshwater springs. People with open wounds or high sensitivity to saline water should take note. The water is not potable. Bring your own drinking water as staying hydrated is important given the heat. No lockers are available; bring a dry bag or leave valuables at your accommodation in Coron town rather than bringing them to the site.

The road to Maquinit is rough with potholes and mud sections, particularly after rain. If travelling by motorbike rather than tricycle, take care on the unpaved stretches. The site closes at 7 pm with last entry at 7 pm; plan your departure from Coron town to arrive before 6 pm to allow a comfortable soaking session without rushing. After dark the road back requires extra care. Cash is required for entry. The site is clean and well-maintained according to consistent visitor accounts, but basic in facilities; bring a towel, water shoes for the pebble-bottom pools, and flip-flops for the changing area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Maquinit Hot Spring saltwater and is it really the only one in the Philippines?

Maquinit Hot Spring is saltwater because the geothermally heated groundwater driven upward by an active underground volcano beneath Coron on Busuanga Island mixes with seawater from the nearby ocean before reaching the surface pools. This mixing of geothermal heat and saltwater is an unusual geological combination that occurs in very few places worldwide. It is consistently documented as the only known saltwater hot spring in the Philippines, and promoters and geology sources also describe it as one of the only saltwater hot springs in Asia. The saltwater character gives the pools a denser feel and higher mineral content compared to freshwater springs, and many visitors describe it as exceptionally restorative for sore muscles.

What is the best time to visit Maquinit Hot Spring in Coron?

The best time to visit Maquinit Hot Spring is late afternoon, arriving around 5 pm to enjoy the cooler air and the golden-hour light over the surrounding limestone hills. The site is open until 7 pm with last entry at 7 pm, so a 5 pm arrival gives a full two hours for soaking. Visiting at midday is not recommended because the combination of 38 to 40 degree Celsius spring water and high ambient air temperatures makes the experience uncomfortable. Evening visits are the most popular and atmospheric. Weekday visits are less crowded than weekends.

How hot is Maquinit Hot Spring and can children soak in it?

The main pools at Maquinit Hot Spring range from 38 to 40 degrees Celsius. This is genuinely hot and requires gradual entry rather than jumping straight in. Most adults can acclimatise comfortably with a slow entry process. A separate kids pool is available, maintained at a cooler temperature for younger children who cannot tolerate the main pool heat. Lifeguards on site advise limiting soaking sessions to 10 minutes at a time with breaks in between to prevent overheating. The misting area next to the pools helps visitors cool down between soaks.

Is Maquinit included in Coron island-hopping tours?

Maquinit Hot Spring is not part of the standard Coron island-hopping boat tours, which focus on open-water destinations such as Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Siete Pecados, and the WWII shipwrecks. Maquinit is a land-based destination accessed by tricycle on Busuanga Island. It is included in the Coron Town Highlights Land Tour offered by many local operators, covering Mount Tapyas viewpoint and Maquinit Hot Spring for approximately PHP 650 to 800 per person including transfers. Hiring a tricycle directly from Coron town for PHP 300 to 400 return is generally more affordable. Most visitors combine Maquinit with their last evening in Coron after completing island-hopping the previous day.

What should I bring to Maquinit Hot Spring and what facilities are available?

Bring your swimsuit, towel, water shoes or sandals for the pebble-bottom pools, and plenty of drinking water as the heat causes dehydration faster than normal swimming. Bring cash for the PHP 300 entry fee as no card payment is available. No lockers are on site; leave expensive valuables at your accommodation in Coron town. A dry bag is useful for protecting your phone and items poolside. On-site facilities include changing rooms, basic toilets, a misting area, and a small shop selling snacks and drinks. Sunscreen is advisable if visiting in the afternoon before the sun sets, as the pool area has open sky exposure.