Palawan Island Hopping
It's Time to Start Your Adventure
Hit the beach in style on this tour of the islands and reefs of Palawan from Puerto Princesa to Coron. Palawan is touted as the Philippines’ Last Frontier for its rich marine biodiversity..
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what to bring
Sunscreen and a hat, Swimsuit and beach towel, Water shoes (flip flops, reef shoes),Water and snacks.
Camera, Waterproof cellphone case, Small denominations ( currency )
It is better to get there early in the morning
Tours can get really crowded
Honda Bay Island Hopping
Honda Bay is a small community on the western side of Palawan Island.
Honda Bay is one of the most popular tourist attraction in Puerto Princesa well known for its white sandy beaches, wonderful landscapes and coral reef, home to abundant marine life.
This tropical paradise of Puerto Princesa, boasts a number of beautiful islands, islets, and sandbars that are commonly visited by tourists on a day trip.
These islands have various diving and snorkeling sites where you will experience the beauty of the marine ecosystem of Puerto Princesa.
El Nido Island Hopping
El Nido is the primary base for exploring Palawan’s star attraction, the stunning Bacuit Archipelago.
El Nido, Palawan is the jewel of the Philippines, with stunning scenery matched with a small island town atmosphere is why this location is so popular.
El Nido island hopping is the number one attraction here and with good reason, it is an experience that you will never forget.
Coron Island Hopping
Coron is the third-largest island in the Calamian Islands in northern Palawan in the Philippines. The island is part of the larger municipality of the same name.
It is known for several Japanese shipwrecks of World War II. It is a mecca for snorkelers and scuba divers from all over the world.
It has seven lakes, famous of which is the nationally-acclaimed cleanest lake in the Philippines, the Kayangan Lake. It also has a number of islands with white sandy beaches and clear blue waters perfect for snorkeling, Deepsea fishing and shipwreck diving. Some coastal areas are covered with mangrove forests.
Coron is the largest town on the island. The municipality covers part of Busuanga Island and all of the nearby Coron Island. Both islands are part of the Calamian Group of Islands in northern Palawan.
Top Island Hopping Sites to Visit
Barracuda Lake
This lake is also commonly referred to as the “craziest dive site in the Philippines.”
Barracuda Lake – named after the large barracuda fish skeleton discovered in it – is a truly unique diving experience. As if the clear blue water contrasting against dark limestone cliffs wasn’t enough, this lake holds a secret not visible from the surface. … The water becomes cooler again closer to the bottom.
Keep in mind that the barracuda still occupy these waters and it is likely that you will encounter them.
Barracuda Lake is located on Coron Island. Coron Town is where all of the tourists stay is actually on Busuanga.and taking a boat over to Barracuda Lake and Coron Island to visit all of the other lagoons, snorkel spots and shipwrecks.
In order to access the water, you must complete about a 5 to 10 minute climb up and down just like in the Kayangan Lake but here in Barracuda, you will brave the steep and sharp limestone cliffs that border this scenic lake.
Apart from the Barracuda Lake, other destinations on the itinerary include Twin Lagoons, Skeleton Wreck, Reef Garden and Banol beach.
You can also rent a private boat where you can arrange a customized itinerary.
Big Lagoon
Big Lagoon is the second stop of El Nido Island Hopping Tour A, right after Small Lagoon. Just like any other lagoons in Palawan, Big Lagoon is dotted with dark limestone cliffs. The entrance to the lagoon has shallow water, but the emerald color of the water indicates the deeper areas.
The Big Lagoon in El Nido is one of the most visited places in Palawan. It boasts some of the most dramatic limestone rock formations on the whole island, on a scale unmatched by anything else you’d find in the Philippines.
An incredible sight from the air, from your kayak and underwater. A narrow and shallow entrance channel leads you out into a giant lagoon surrounded by epic limestone cliffs.
The lagoon is as big as the name suggests. There aren’t many places in El Nido where you can explore a cave (with a kayak) inside a lagoon.
Your boat will stop outside the lagoon, and you will have to rent a kayak to enter the lagoon. The kayak will cost you around 300 Pesos for about an hour. Your boat will give you life jackets that’s included in your Tour A cost.
Apart from the Small Lagoon, other destinations on the itinerary include Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commando Beach.
You can also rent a private boat where you can arrange a customized itinerary.
Dumaran Island
The laid-back municipality of Dumaran is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a destination in Palawan that remains largely unknown to tourists. Here you will find the most pristine islands and beaches of Palawan.
The untouched beaches and pristine waters are ideal for anyone looking for a laid-back and quiet environment. The waters surrounding the island are lined with brightly colored corals and a vast diversity of marine life, making it a world-class diving and snorkeling spot.
Dumaran Island has many sites to see, such as the Isla Pugon, Hardin Coral, Renambakan Island, Maruyug-ruyog Island, Calambuan Island, Encantasia Island, Matarawis Reef, Queen Coral and Dumaran Spanish Fort.
Each spot has something unique to see and experience, and the best way to explore them all is by booking a private tour of Dumaran Island.
It’s advisable to go to Dumaran is during the dry season between November and early June.
The road leading to Dumaran is rugged and largely unpaved and it turns to impassible mud in the wet season.
Although Dumaran can be reached via public transportation, either bus or shuttle vans, we recommend that you go there with a private vehicle (preferably jeep 4WD).
Travel from Puerto Princesa to Sta. Tersita port may take from a minimum of 4hours, up to 8 hours, depending on the kind of vehicle used and the weather situation. The Puerto Princesa North Provincial Road is in good conditions, but the road leading from the junction to Sta. Tersita is narrow, rugged and largely unpaved.
From Sta. Teresita port to Dumaran town takes about 30-45 minutes by boat
Hidden Beach
Hidden Beach is a beautiful sun-drenched beach, hidden and protected behind the high, sheer cliffs in El Nido. You can access this beach through a narrow tunnel, but only in calm seas.
Hidden Beach is a pretty popular tourist spot, but for obvious reasons. It is ideal for snorkeling and swimming as the turquoise waters are warm.
If you want to experience Hidden Beach on your own, then it is recommended to go for a private tour and early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid all the tours that stop here.
Visitors are required to wear water shoes and life vests.
Apart from the Hidden Beach, other destinations on the itinerary include Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach and Star Beach.
You can also rent a private boat where you can arrange a customized itinerary.
Kayangan Lake
Kayangan Lake is one of the eight lakes in Coron island that is open to the public.
There was also a small opening to a bat cave that can be explored.
Apart from the Kayangan Lake, other destinations on the itinerary include Twin Lagoons, Skeleton Wreck, Coral Garden, Beach 91 and CYC Beach.
You can also rent a private boat where you can arrange a customized itinerary.
Onuk Island
Onuk Island has few rooms to accommodate guests.
You can also set up a hammock in the cottages or pitch a tent in the camping ground.
There is a common CR in the camping ground.
Snorkel. There’s a snorkeling area in front of the island where you can see a variety of marine life and giant clams.
You can also go to the nearby Roughton Reef.
Make sure to bring your own snorkel and fins.
There are also sea turtles in Onuk Island, but you can only see them during high tide which is usually in the morning.
Seven Commandos Beach
The myth surrounding the Seven Commandos Beach: due to a shipwreck, seven soldiers got lost at the sea. Looking for a temporary place, the soldiers found the Seven Commandos Beach.
While repairing their ship, the soldiers carved the words “7 commandos” in a large rock before sailing away.
The locals found the engravings and use it to name the place.
Visitors gather here to play beach volleyball, sunbathe, swim, and snorkel. You can only access Seven Commandos Beach by booking island hopping tour A in El Nido
Located below those dramatic limestone cliffs El Nido is famous for a 320-metre-long strip of white sand beach awaits you with turquoise water and swaying palms trees.
Apart from the Seven Commandos Beach, other destinations on the itinerary include Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon and Shimizu Island.
You can also rent a private boat where you can arrange a customized itinerary.
Shimizu Island
How this island got its name. The legend says that decades ago, a group of divers were exploring the beautiful marine life in El Nido but unfortunately one of the divers wasn’t able to make his way back to the surface.After searching for a few days, the locals have finally found him on an island in the Bacuit Bay.
They decided to name the island after the diver’s name – Shimizu.
Shimizu Island in El Nido is one of the most beautiful destinations in the area. The tall, black limestone mountains are guarded by beautiful palm trees and a stretch of white sand. The water is crystal clear and perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
In fact, snorkeling at Shimizu Island is very popular. The island is considered to be one of the best snorkeling areas in El Nido and many tourists come here to explore the diverse marine life. Expect to see colorful fish and spectacular corals.
Apart from the Shimizu Island, other destinations on the itinerary include Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, and Seven Commando Beach.
You can also rent a private boat where you can arrange a customized itinerary.
Small Lagoon
Located at the northern end of Miniloc Island, a 20-minute boat ride west of El Nido Town, Small Lagoon is a beautiful, shallow cove. It’s about 150 metres long and only 35 metres, meaning that the waters in the lagoon are very well sheltered from the waves of the sea.
The Small Lagoon in El Nido is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Palawan. It boasts some of the island’s stunning limestone rock formations between crystal clear waters and lush tropical settings.
One of the best experiences visiting the Small Lagoon is the chance to kayak in crystal clear waters in between towering limestone cliffs.
Although its name suggests otherwise, the Small Lagoon is actually rather big. It’s smaller in scale than its neighboring lagoon, aptly named the Big Lagoon, there’s still plenty of room for people to wander around even if it’s in the middle of the peak season.
Apart from the Small Lagoon, other destinations on the itinerary include Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and Seven Commando Beach.
You can also rent a private boat where you can arrange a customized itinerary.
Snake Island
Despite its name, there aren’t any snakes living on the island! Instead, the island is named after the long, snake-like sandbar strip that connects two sides of this arch-shaped island.
It’s one of the furthest destinations in Bacuit Bay and takes roughly 40 minutes to reach.
Once you arrive on Snake Island, you’ll have a few hours to explore the area at your own pace. Ideally, you’ll want to visit during low-tide, where you can walk along the sandbar from one side of the island to the other. Most tours also set up lunch here.
Apart from the Snake Island, other destinations on the itinerary include Entalula Beach, Pinagbuyutan Island, Cudugnon Cave, and Cathedral Cave.
You can explore the cave by swimming, snorkeling, or by kayak.
Snake Island is the highlight of their island-hopping tour. Not only is it one of the coolest and most unique landscapes in Bacuit Bay.
The most popular thing to do on Snake Island is walking across the sandbar that connects the two sides of the island.
You can also rent a private boat where you can arrange a customized itinerary.
Starfish Island
Unlike what many people thought about it, starfish island in actually not star-shaped; the name “starfish island” was given to the majestic place because starfishes of varied sizes and colors are found in this place and in fact, this island is actually a sandbar.
Even tourists, both local and foreign find it interesting seeing various starfishes all at one place. It would take about 15 minutes of boat ride from the Pambato Reef.
This island is also known by locals as “Tabuan Island”. It is a small island with few cottages that are available for picnicking. Its main island is made up of pristine white sand that is surrounded by greenish waters. and a few palm trees grow.
While it is safe for the starfish to be handled, it should come with great care as they are wild and fragile.
- Entrance Fee: Around P50
- Environmental Fee: P40 – P150 (depending on the port you departed from — Sta. Lourdes Port or Honda Bay Wharf)
You can hire a tricycle from the city to Sta. Lourdes Port or Honda Bay Wharf for approximately P500-P600, round trip. Get the number of the driver so that he can pick you up after your trip.
You can also rent a private boat where you can arrange a customized itinerary.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
It was established as a marine park in 1988 and was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993.
The Tubbataha Natural Park, also known as the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, is a protected area of the Philippines located in the middle of the Sulu Sea. The marine and bird sanctuary consists of two huge atolls and the smaller Jessie Beazley Reef covering a total area of 97,030 hectares.
Tubbataha Reef is known for its extraordinary biodiversity, abundant marine life and breathtaking drop-offs into the open ocean. … Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to a great diversity of marine life—whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles and Napoleon wrasse are among the key species found here.
Tubbataha is a popular site for seasoned sport divers as it offers great depths after the shallow reef walls. The best time to visit the park is from March to June, which is the official diving season. Around this time, you’ll find perfect diving conditions like flat seas, clear weather and excellent visibility. Be sure to check and follow the rules and regulations around diving in the park to help protect the reef.
You can also rent a private boat where you can arrange a customized itinerary.
Twin Lagoon
The Twin Lagoons are one of the must-see destinations in the Coron Island Hopping Tour. The first lagoon is where the boats dock, while the second lagoon is hidden, the only access of which is a small crevice underneath the rock, or during high tide, a ladder over the rock.
- Palawan By-laws require the wearing of a life jacket in Twin Lagoon (and most of the attractions in Coron). This can be annoying for most who can swim.
- Many tour operators will try to convince you a kayak is absolutely necessary in the Twin Lagoon. As you would guess, this is not the case. Kayaks cost 1000 PHP each, they are fun but not necessary in the Lagoon.
The Dock Area
In the outer Lagoon, there is a dock area that is usually secluded and free from most other tourists. It seems like the perfect spot to chill out and get some great pics. Be aware, the dock is privately owned as your guide should inform you. An additional fee is usually required to use the dock. If you feel like you have money to spare, it might be worth the cost, otherwise, it’s best not to break rules and trespass.
Apart from the Twin Lagoon, other destinations on the itinerary include Kayangan Lake, Skeleton Wreck, Coral Garden, Beach 91 and CYC Beach.
You can also rent a private boat where you can arrange a customized itinerary.
Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
It was established as a marine park in 1988 and was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993.
The Tubbataha Natural Park, also known as the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, is a protected area of the Philippines located in the middle of the Sulu Sea. The marine and bird sanctuary consists of two huge atolls and the smaller Jessie Beazley Reef covering a total area of 97,030 hectares.
Tubbataha Reef is known for its extraordinary biodiversity, abundant marine life and breathtaking drop-offs into the open ocean. … Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park is home to a great diversity of marine life—whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles and Napoleon wrasse are among the key species found here.
Tubbataha is a popular site for seasoned sport divers as it offers great depths after the shallow reef walls. The best time to visit the park is from March to June, which is the official diving season. Around this time, you’ll find perfect diving conditions like flat seas, clear weather and excellent visibility. Be sure to check and follow the rules and regulations around diving in the park to help protect the reef.
You can also rent a private boat where you can arrange a customized itinerary.
