Palawan Complete Explorer 12 Days | Puerto Princesa · Port Barton · El Nido · Coron Nature

Palm Tree Travel and Tours presents a 12-day all-encompassing journey through Palawan's four crown jewels: Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, El Nido, and Coron.

This tour is perfect for every kind of traveler — whether you're drawn to the thrill of snorkeling shipwrecks, the serenity of a hidden lagoon, the wonder of a UNESCO World Heritage cave system, or simply the joy of drifting between sun-soaked islands with powder-white sand beneath your feet. Our small-group format means more personalized attention, smoother logistics, and more time to enjoy the experiences rather than manage them.

From the world-famous Underground River of Puerto Princesa to the legendary Kayangan Lake in Coron, every day of this itinerary delivers a new wonder. Let Palm Tree Travel and Tours handle everything while you focus on making memories.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Honda Bay's three stunning islands: Starfish Island, Cowrie Island, and the magical tidal Luli Island
• Venture into the Puerto Princesa Underground River — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature
• Swim with whale sharks in their natural habitat (seasonal: April–September) or explore Puerto Princesa's cultural gems off-season
• Escape the crowds in the tranquil village of Port Barton and snorkel Twin Reef's pristine coral gardens
• Swim alongside sea turtles at Port Barton's protected turtle sanctuary
• Kayak through El Nido's iconic Big Lagoon, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and emerald waters
• Discover El Nido's best-kept secrets — Secret Beach and Hidden Beach — accessible only by swimming through narrow rock openings
• Marvel at Kayangan Lake in Coron, widely regarded as the cleanest lake in the Philippines
• Dive or snorkel the hauntingly beautiful WWII Japanese shipwrecks resting on the floor of Coron Bay

TOUR AT A GLANCE

• Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
• Destinations: Puerto Princesa · Port Barton · El Nido · Coron
• Tour Type: Nature · Island Hopping · Adventure · Culture · Beach
• Price: From USD 1,270 per person

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• English-speaking professional guide and driver throughout the tour
• All inter-island ferry transfers as listed in the itinerary
• Admission and conservation fees for all attractions listed
• Hotel accommodation in twin-sharing rooms as per itinerary
• All ground transportation during sightseeing and transfers
• Complimentary airport transfers at scheduled departure times
• All meals listed as "Breakfast" or "Lunch" in the day-by-day itinerary
• Basic snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel) during all island-hopping tours
• 24/7 emergency support for the duration of your trip

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

• Travel insurance — strongly recommended; purchase before departure
• Philippine entry visa fees (if applicable)
• International airfares to and from the Philippines
• Personal expenses: laundry, telephone calls, beverages, souvenirs, etc.
• Single room supplement (available on request)
• Optional activities not listed in the itinerary (e.g., scuba diving, hot spring visits)
• Tipping for guides, drivers, boat crew, and hotel staff
• Any costs arising from force majeure events: typhoons, severe weather, flight or ferry disruptions

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1 — ARRIVAL IN PUERTO PRINCESA
Mabuhay! Welcome to Palawan! Upon landing at Puerto Princesa International Airport, your Palm Tree Travel representative will be waiting for you at the arrivals exit to transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest and recover from your journey, or wander around the city at your own pace. Puerto Princesa is the vibrant capital of Palawan, a gateway to one of the world's most biodiverse natural environments. Get a good night's rest — your adventure starts tomorrow. Overnight in Puerto Princesa.

DAY 2 — HONDA BAY ISLAND HOPPING: STARFISH ISLAND, COWRIE ISLAND & LULI ISLAND
After breakfast, your guide collects you and drives to Santa Lourdes Pier where you board a boat into the sparkling waters of Honda Bay. Your first stop is Starfish Island — a petite, oval-shaped paradise where the shallow waters teem with bright starfish, clownfish, and other colorful marine life. Ideal for snorkeling and a leisurely stroll along its soft white shore. Next is Cowrie Island, the largest stop on the bay tour and the most activity-packed — swim, kayak, play beach volleyball, grab a drink under the coconut palms, or simply relax in the shallows. Lunch is served here at the beachside restaurant. Your final stop is the remarkable Luli Island — its name derived from the Filipino words for "submerge and emerge," because the island quite literally disappears underwater at high tide. Walk the exposed sandbars during low tide, feed colorful fish, and take the plunge off the diving board. A truly one-of-a-kind island experience. Transfer back to your hotel in the evening. Overnight in Puerto Princesa.

DAY 3 — SABANG UNDERGROUND RIVER NATIONAL PARK
This morning, depart Puerto Princesa for the 75km drive to Sabang (approximately 2 hours). From Sabang Wharf, take a short boat ride across to Sabang Beach, then board a park-operated paddleboat to enter the famous Underground River — the longest navigable underground river in the world at 8.2km, flowing directly into the South China Sea. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and New Seven Wonder of Nature will leave you speechless: dramatic limestone karst formations, towering stalactites and stalagmites, and colonies of swallows and bats overhead all combine to create an otherworldly 45-minute cave journey. After the tour, explore the surrounding park — home to long-tailed macaque monkeys, monitor lizards, and rare bird species — before driving back to Puerto Princesa for the evening. Overnight in Puerto Princesa.

DAY 4 — PUERTO PRINCESA · PORT BARTON (WHALE SHARK TOUR OR CITY TOUR)
Your morning activity depends on the season. From April to September, join a guided whale shark snorkeling tour in the open waters near Puerto Princesa — one of the most exhilarating wildlife encounters in Southeast Asia. From October to March, instead enjoy a half-day city tour: visit Baker's Hill for its charming garden and freshly baked hopia pastries; explore the Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village to learn about Palawan's indigenous heritage; and stop by the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre where you can get up close with baby Philippine crocodiles and other endemic wildlife. In the afternoon, transfer by road to Port Barton (approximately 3 hours) — a laid-back coastal village that feels worlds away from the tourist trail. Check in and unwind. Overnight in Port Barton.

DAY 5 — PORT BARTON ISLAND HOPPING: TWIN REEF, EXOTIC ISLAND, TURTLE SPOT, PARADISE ISLAND, FANTASTIC REEF & SAND BAR
After breakfast, head to the Port Barton pier and set off on a full day of island hopping through some of Palawan's most unspoiled marine territory. At Twin Reef, dive into clear waters above a beautifully preserved dual-reef system bursting with colorful corals and exotic fish. Exotic Island offers a peaceful stop for a swim and some quiet time on the beach. At the Turtle Sanctuary, snorkel alongside wild sea turtles in their natural environment — a truly humbling experience. Enjoy a packed lunch of local dishes at Paradise Island before continuing to Fantastic Reef, another outstanding snorkeling site rich in marine biodiversity. Your final stop is the Sand Bar, a dreamy strip of white sand rising from the middle of the sea, surrounded by shallow waters dotted with colorful starfish. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Port Barton.

DAY 6 — PORT BARTON TO EL NIDO
After breakfast, bid farewell to Port Barton and set off on the scenic 180km overland drive to El Nido (approximately 3–4 hours). Arrive, check in to your hotel, and spend the rest of the day soaking up El Nido Town's relaxed atmosphere. Stroll the beachfront, explore local restaurants and shops, and watch one of El Nido's legendary sunsets from the shore. Your guide is on hand to share tips and help you make the most of the days ahead. Overnight in El Nido.

DAY 7 — EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING TOUR A: BIG LAGOON, SECRET LAGOON, 7 COMMANDO BEACH, SHIMIZU ISLAND & PAYONG-PAYONG BEACH
Today you experience El Nido's most celebrated island-hopping circuit through the stunning Bacuit Archipelago. Board your outrigger boat and head to Miniloc Island, where you'll kayak or swim into the breathtaking Big Lagoon — an enclosed natural swimming hole of emerald-green water ringed by sheer limestone cliffs that seems almost too beautiful to be real. Squeeze through a narrow rock crevice (at low tide) to discover the Secret Lagoon, a hidden world of calm water and lush greenery that feels entirely your own. Enjoy lunch at the scenic Payong-Payong Beach before heading to Shimizu Island, one of El Nido's top snorkeling spots, where vibrant coral heads and diverse marine life thrive in perfectly clear water. End the day at the legendary Seven Commando Beach — a long, palm-fringed stretch of white sand ideal for sunbathing and a final swim. Return to El Nido town as the sun dips below the horizon. Overnight in El Nido.

DAY 8 — EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING TOUR C: HELICOPTER ISLAND, TAPIUTAN ISLAND, SECRET BEACH & HIDDEN BEACH
A second day exploring El Nido's Bacuit Archipelago, this time venturing to its most secluded corners. Start at Helicopter Island, named for the unmistakable shape of its rock formations when viewed from the sea. Snorkel the vibrant reefs, watch for passing sea turtles, and bask on the sun-warmed sand. Continue to Tapiutan Island — dramatic cliff faces plunging into calm, crystal-clear water with rich marine life just below the surface. The next stop requires a sense of adventure: to reach Secret Beach, you must swim through a narrow gap in a towering rock wall. On the other side, a secluded cove of soft white sand and perfectly calm turquoise water awaits. Your final destination is Hidden Beach, another lagoon-like haven tucked behind limestone formations invisible from open water. Return to El Nido town. Overnight in El Nido.

DAY 9 — EL NIDO TO CORON BY FERRY
After a leisurely breakfast, check out and make your way to the ferry terminal for the scenic crossing to Coron (approximately 4–5 hours, 127km). The journey itself is a pleasure — wide open seas, island silhouettes on the horizon, and the anticipation of Palawan's final great destination. Arrive in Coron Town, check in to your hotel, and spend the remainder of the day resting or climbing nearby Mt. Tapyas for a panoramic view over Coron Town and Coron Bay at sunset. Overnight in Coron.

DAY 10 — CORON ISLAND HOPPING TOUR A: KAYANGAN LAKE, GREEN LAGOON, QUIN REEF, ATWAYAN BEACH, CYC BEACH & LAS ISLAS DE CORAL
One of the most unforgettable days of the entire tour. Your guide picks you up after breakfast and takes you on Coron's premier island-hopping circuit. Begin at the world-famous Kayangan Lake — widely considered the cleanest lake in the Philippines — a freshwater sanctuary enclosed by soaring limestone cliffs. Snorkel among fascinating underwater rock formations in glassy, gin-clear water. Continue to the Green Lagoon, where shallow, impossibly clear emerald water between dramatic limestone walls creates a perfect setting for kayaking and snorkeling. At Quin Reef (Malwawey Coral Garden), drift over vibrant, sprawling coral formations alive with marine color. Relax on the pristine white sands of Atwayan Beach, a tucked-away gem with bamboo huts for shade. Stop at CYC Beach for a peaceful swim and sunbathe. Finish the day snorkeling at Las Islas de Coral, a dazzling underwater garden of colorful corals and reef fish. Return to Coron Town. Overnight in Coron.

DAY 11 — CORON REEF AND WRECKS TOUR: PASS ISLAND, LUSONG CORAL GARDEN, LUSONG GUNBOAT & EAST TANGAT WRECK
Today's adventure ventures out to Coron's most dramatic seascapes. A two-hour boat ride brings you to Pass Island — a postcard-perfect tropical island with soft white sand, swaying palms, and calm coves perfect for swimming and total relaxation. Continue to Lusong Coral Garden, Coron's largest and most spectacular coral garden, before exploring the Lusong Gunboat — a sunken WWII vessel resting at just 10 meters depth, its stern visible at low tide, making it ideal for both beginner and experienced snorkelers. The highlight is the East Tangat Wreck — a 40-meter warship that sank on September 24, 1944, during a US Navy air attack on the Imperial Japanese fleet. It now rests on a sandy slope at 22 meters depth, home to a thriving underwater ecosystem and one of the most evocative dive and snorkel sites in Southeast Asia. Return to Coron Town for a final evening in Palawan. Overnight in Coron.

DAY 12 — DEPARTURE FROM CORON
Enjoy a final breakfast in Coron before checking out and transferring to Francisco B. Reyes Airport for your onward flight. If time permits before your flight, take a short walk around Coron Town to pick up some local souvenirs or enjoy one last cup of Filipino coffee by the bay. It has been an incredible 12 days through the best of Palawan, and we hope to welcome you back on another Palm Tree Travel and Tours adventure soon. Safe travels!