Culion Island (Philippines)

Culion Island is one of Calamian islands - an archipelago located at Palawan's (Philippines) northernmost part. The island covers a total area of approx 500 km2 (193 ml2) and has population around 20,000.

Calamian archipelago's largest island (Culion) is bounded Coron Reef (east), South China Sea (west), Busuanga Island (north) and Linapacan Island (south).

Calamian Islands (northern Palawan province) during the Spanish Colonial Era (1521-1946) were known as Las Islas de Calamianes, Provincia de Espana. Palawan's Culion municipality was created in 1992, covers an area of 1191 km2 (460 ml2 / including territorial waters) and consists of Culion Island plus 41 smaller surrounding isles. Culion was former leprosarium (colony used for the treatment of leprosy) under the American commonwealth of Philippines.

The surrounding sea waters teem with over 200 fish species including some commercially important - like Lapu-lapu (Groupers), Maya-Maya (Snapper), Kanuping (Sweetlip Emperor), Dalagang Bukid (Blue and Gold Fusiliers), Bisugo (Breams) and Tanguige (Spanish Mackerel). Cuttlefish, crabs, shrimps, shellfish, sea cucumber, trepang and squid are also plentiful.

A total of 3 ecosystems sustain the abundant marine life of the island: corals, mangroves and seagrass. The island has a total of 17 mangrove species, 9 seagrass species and 47 coral genera (representing 60% of Philippines' total genera).

Culion Island cruise terminal