Destinations
Palawan, Philippines
Limestone karst, hidden lagoons, and the best island-hopping in Southeast Asia.
Season
November - May
Terrain
ocean
Fly into
PPS / MNL / USU
Missions
1
The briefing
Palawan sits at the western edge of the Philippine archipelago - an elongated island of jungle mountains, white-sand beaches, and a coastline studded with limestone towers that create some of the most striking seascapes in the world. El Nido is the visual peak: kayaking through enclosed lagoons whose cliff walls block out the sky, then emerging into a hidden beach no larger than a tennis court. The island-hopping circuits cover most of the highlights in a few days of boat days. Season still decides the trip - November - May.
El Nido is the visual peak: kayaking through enclosed lagoons whose cliff walls block out the sky, then emerging into a hidden beach no larger than a tennis court. The island-hopping circuits cover most of the highlights in a few days of boat days. Coron adds a completely different dimension - the WWII Japanese shipwrecks here are among the most accessible and dramatic wreck dives in the world.
Puerto Princesa's Underground River is a UNESCO World Heritage site worth the half-day excursion from the capital. The whole island rewards slow travel - give yourself ten days and you will feel like you barely scratched it.
How to get there
Gateway airports: PPS, MNL, USU. Build the rest of the trip around the arrival.
Book first
Flights - PPS, MNL → Stay on the water; the boat days start at the dock in Palawan, Philippines → Operator - boat, dive, or dhow desk after the room
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Missions in Palawan, Philippines