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For crystal-clear lagoons, limestone cliffs and powder-white beaches, Palawan is about as close to paradise as you’re likely to find. Tucked away in the far west of the Philippines, it’s made up of one long main island and more than 1,700 smaller ones, dotted between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea.
Palawan is just a short flight from Manila, and rather than staying in one place, our clients tend to travel through the region, spending a few nights in each area. Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Coron in the Calamian Islands are all popular bases, while Port Barton and San Vicente are also good options for somewhere a little quieter. Wherever you stay, your days will revolve around the water, whether that’s island-hopping, snorkelling over colourful reefs, paddling into hidden lagoons, or simply lazing on palm-fringed beaches.
Palawan’s capital is known as the ‘City in a Forest’ thanks to the lush rainforest that surrounds it. It’s a great starting point for some fabulous trips, and in the evening, you can stroll along the Baywalk, grab some food and watch the sun set.
The UNESCO-listed Underground River is one of the main highlights of any trip to Palawan, and a great day trip from Puerto Princesa. It runs for around eight kilometres through a huge network of caves inside a limestone mountain before flowing out into the sea.
The trip starts with a short boat ride from the village of Sabang to a quiet, jungle-backed beach. From there, you climb into a paddle boat and then drift into the darkness as your guide shines a torch so you can see the giant stalactites, rock formations and vast chambers, while bats and swiftlets fly overhead. It’s an absolute must-do.
Honda Bay is also an easy day trip from Puerto Princesa. On Starfish Island (pictured below), you’ll find starfish scattered across the shallows, while Cowrie Island is perfect for relaxing beneath the palms.
Luli Island is a tiny stretch of sand whose name comes from ‘lulubog-lilitaw’, meaning ‘sinking and rising’, because its sandbar disappears at high tide and reappears as the water drops.
A firefly cruise is a lovely way to spend the evening. Just outside of the city on the Iwahig River, local guides paddle you quietly through the mangroves in small boats. As your eyes adjust, you’ll see thousands of fireflies blinking in the branches like fairy lights.
Further north, the town of El Nido is one of the best places to visit in the Philippines and sits on the edge of Bacuit Bay, surrounded by huge limestone cliffs and dozens of islands, so you can spend your days on the water and be back at your hotel in time for sundowners.
The best way to explore the Bacuit Archipelago is on a traditional ‘bangka’ outrigger boat. On a day trip to Miniloc Island, your boat drops anchor at the entrance to Big Lagoon, where you can jump into a kayak and paddle between sheer cliffs over calm, green water.
You can also visit Small Lagoon, which is too narrow for the boats, so you squeeze through a gap in the rocks before it opens out around you, with fish darting over the rocks below. Many trips also stop at Secret Lagoon, accessed through a small hole in the rock.
For a quiet, idyllic stretch of beach, head to Nacpan, a four-kilometre curve of golden sand backed by palms and jungle-covered hills. In the cooler months, the small waves are ideal for beginner surfers, and you can climb up the headland at the northern end for great views over Nacpan and neighbouring Calitang Beach.
Closer to town, Las Cabanas Beach is another great spot to watch the sky turn orange as the sun sinks behind the islands.
Taraw Cliff is the limestone wall that towers above El Nido town and, if you’re looking for a bit of adventure, the canopy walk will certainly get your pulse racing. Clipped into a harness and helmet, you can climb the metal steps and cables up the rock and cross a swaying suspension bridge to a viewing deck overlooking the bay. If you’re feeling brave, step out onto the spider’s web-style net that hangs over the drop.
From El Nido, you can take a ferry across to Coron, which is known for its limestone lakes, clear lagoons and Second World War shipwrecks, making it ideal for history lovers as well as snorkellers and divers.
Kayangan Lake, with its crystal-clear water, sits on the ancestral land of the Tagbanua people, who consider it sacred. Climb the steps to the viewpoint where you’ll get a great view over the cove and limestone cliffs, before heading down the other side to swim in the lake.
Nearby, Twin Lagoon is tucked between huge cliffs. Swim through the narrow gap into the second lagoon, where you can feel the temperature change as warmer seawater meets cooler freshwater.
The great thing about Coron is that you don’t have to be a diver to see its famous wrecks. Skeleton Wreck and the Lusong Gunboat lie close enough to the surface for snorkellers, and their hulls are covered in coral and alive with batfish, lionfish and turtles. If you’re a certified diver, you can venture inside larger wrecks such as the Okikawa Maru.
For a great spot at sunset, climb the steps up Mount Tapyas to the viewing deck beside the giant CORON sign for views across the bay to the islands beyond. Afterwards, take a tricycle to Maquinit Hot Spring, where mangrove-fringed pools of naturally warm saltwater are a lovely way to soothe tired legs.
Port Barton is a little fishing village and part of the wider San Vicente area. It’s much quieter and more laid-back than Puerto Princesa or El Nido. There are no big resorts or busy nightlife here, just sandy beaches, island-hopping and a slower pace of life.
Port Barton’s island-hopping trips are a wonderful chance to snorkel with sea turtles, known locally as ‘pawikan’.
Around German Island and the nearby reefs, you can float above them as they graze on the seagrass, then watch them rise to the surface for air. German Island itself has a pretty beach and gorgeous sunsets.
Many trips also stop at the sandbar linking Exotic and Maxima islands. At low tide, a strip of white sand appears between the two, with calm, shallow water on either side for snorkelling.
Keep an eye out for the chocolate chip starfish dotted across the seabed.
Around an hour from Port Barton by boat, San Vicente’s Long Beach stretches for about 14 kilometres, is fringed with palms and is blissfully quiet.
It’s the ideal place for a long walk along the sand, lazy swims and the lovely feeling of having a beach almost to yourself.
Palawan has more than enough to fill a holiday on its own, with the Underground River, Honda Bay, El Nido’s lagoons, Coron’s lakes and Port Barton’s quieter beaches all offering something different. Flights from the UK usually connect through Manila, so many travellers add a night or two in the capital before continuing to Palawan.
Our Exploring Palawan itinerary takes in Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, San Vicente and El Nido. For a broader island mix, Palawan & Cebu combines Manila, Palawan and Cebu, while Best of the Philippines adds Cebu and Busuanga, home to Coron. Whether you’re after a relaxed city-and-beach break or a longer adventure, we can tailor the stops and pace around you.
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