12-Day Ultimate Palawan Adventure: Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, El Nido & Coron

Tour Overview

Data source: asiaodysseytravel.com — AOT-PHG-001 12 Days Ultimate Palawan Group Tour

Days 1-2: Puerto Princesa — Underground River & Honda Bay

• Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park — A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. An 8.2km underground river flowing directly into the sea, navigable for 4.3km. Board a paddle boat and enter the cathedral-like darkness — your guide’s flashlight reveals massive stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and the 60m-high “Cathedral” chamber. Bats flutter overhead, swiftlets nest in the ceiling cracks. The river flows through a limestone karst landscape that dates back 23 million years
• Honda Bay Island Hopping — Starfish Island (shallow waters carpeted with orange and blue starfish), Cowrie Island (the largest, with beach cabanas and a floating bar), Luli Island (a sandbar that disappears at high tide — the name literally means “lulubog-lilitaw” or “sinking and emerging”)
• Evening: Dinner at Kinabuchs Grill & Bar, famous for tamilok (woodworm — a Palawan delicacy that tastes like oyster, served as ceviche with vinegar and chili — be brave!) and crocodile sisig

Days 3-4: Port Barton — Off the Beaten Path

• Port Barton — Palawan’s best-kept secret. A sleepy fishing village with a 3km stretch of golden sand, far fewer tourists than El Nido, and a relaxed vibe that feels like Palawan 20 years ago. The marine sanctuary here was established by the local community to protect turtle nesting sites
• Island Hopping — Visit German Island, Exotic Island, Fantastic Island, and Turtle Spot. Unlike El Nido’s dramatic karst scenery, Port Barton’s islands are low-lying with dense jungle. The snorkeling is superb: giant clams (up to 1m wide), sea turtles (almost guaranteed), and healthy coral gardens just offshore. Lunch on a deserted beach
• Pamuayan Waterfall — A 2-hour trek through rice paddies and jungle to a 15m waterfall with a deep swimming hole. The water is cool and refreshing after the tropical heat. Local kids will likely join you — they know every rock and jumping spot

Days 5-7: El Nido — Bacuit Archipelago Island Hopping

Three full days exploring the Bacuit Archipelago: Tours A (Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, 7 Commando Beach), B (Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, Entalula Beach, Cudugnon Cave — a prehistoric burial cave), and C (Helicopter Island, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Tapiutan Island). Sunset drinks at Las Cabanas Beach zipline.

Days 8-9: Coron — Kayangan Lake & Twin Lagoon

Ferry to Coron. Mt. Tapyas sunset climb (700 steps, 360° panorama). Island hopping: Kayangan Lake (Asia’s Cleanest Lake), Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake (thermocline swimming), Siete Pecados Marine Sanctuary, Skeleton Wreck snorkeling.

Days 10-11: Coron Outer Reefs & Wrecks — Pass Island & Lusong Coral Garden

Full-day expedition to Pass Island, Lusong Coral Garden (Coron’s largest reef), Lusong Gunboat (WWII wreck in 1-10m of water), East Tangat Wreck. Second day: Calauit Safari Park (African wildlife — giraffes, zebras, impalas — on a Philippine island, a legacy of the Marcos era), Black Island (abandoned 1930s mansion, cave pools, and pristine white beach).

Day 12: Depart Coron

Morning at leisure. Coron Public Market for cashew nuts and souvenirs. Transfer to Busuanga Airport.

What’s Included

• 11 nights twin-share, all island hopping tours, English-speaking guides, B=11, L=6, snorkeling gear, all entrance fees and environmental/port permits, Puerto Princesa-El Nido road transfer, El Nido-Coron ferry, airport transfers, 24/7 support