Balabac Palawan FULL Travel Guide

Balabac is raw, remote and genuinely beautiful. Clear turquoise water, white sandbars and tiny islands that feel like you have the place to yourself. People claim it’s the “Maldives of the Philippines”, but we believe it deserves its own merit! 

We recently went on a 4 day, 3 night expedition, and decided to put this guide together after struggling to find up to date information. 

Get in touch if you have any questions but hopefully this guide will help!

How to get to Balabac

Balabac sits at the southern tip of Palawan, so it takes a bit of travel to reach.

Here's what we reccomend:

• Fly into Puerto Princesa.
• Most tours pick up from selected hotels in Puerto Princesa early in the morning. Expect a long road transfer to the port. It took us around 5–6 hours in a minivan with a few short stops.
• From the port you board a small boat for the island-hopping portion of the trip.

Roads can be bumpy near the end of the transfer. If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring medication - the van and the boat can both be rough in places.

Best time to visit

Dry season runs from December to May. We read online that March is recommended as it's usually perfect weather, but our trips in November was perfect. We had occasional rain, but not enough to ruin the experience. If you want the most reliable sunshine, go during the dry months.

Which tour operator and how much it costs

There aren’t loads of operators but we found a few reputable ones do multi-day island-hopping tours. We went with Wonder Walkers and paid 15,500 PHP (about £200) per person for a 3-night, 4-day package that included transfers, boat, food and island access. A lot of Filipino's we spoke to reccomended Balabac Girl.

Key differences between operators are accommodation guarantees and upgrade options. We paid a small extra for a hut upgrade with a fan and electricity (worth it if you want more comfort). Other groups offer huts too but may not guarantee them if you book late.

What to pack

Space on the boat is limited. Leave your main luggage at the hotel/hostel and take a small bag for the trip.

• Bikini / swimwear, quick-dry towel
• Sun protection: reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
• Wet bag for wet clothes
• Water shoes or Crocs — protect your feet from sharp coral
• Long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt for evenings — sandfly protection is crucial
• Anti-sickness medication if needed
• Power bank — daytime charging is limited
• Cash — small purchases, beers and tips are cash only
• Optional: small Bluetooth speaker for the boat and sunset vibes

Pro tip: One girl that we me swore that taking a vitamin B supplement reduces insect bites. It’s worth researching if you’re prone to bites (Like Gaz!).

Our Balabac 3-night, 4-day itinerary

Day 1 – Travel and first islands

• Early pickup from Puerto Princesa (around 3:30–4:00am).
• Road transfer with a breakfast stop (bring snacks if you prefer alternatives to the usual rice-and-spam canteen fare).
• Boat trip starts at the port — first stops usually include Candaraman Island for lunch, then Patawan Island (aka Dolphin Island)  for chilling, and Palawan Island for cocktails and volleyball.
• Return to the main accommodation island for dinner and rest.

Day 2 – Onok Island (the headline island)

• Early breakfast and full day at Onok Island — the iconic picture-perfect island people search for online.
• Snorkelling with turtles — they are abundant and often swim right beneath you.
• Relax, photograph and enjoy lunch on the island. Expect a special atmosphere at sunset back at camp.

Day 3 – Snorkel spots, starfish sandbar and Mansalagan sandbar

• Several snorkelling stops with incredibly clear water and rich underwater life.
• Visit to Candaraman Sandbar (Starfish Island)
• Walk along the massive Mansalagan sandbar — often nearly deserted and spectacular.
• Evening back at camp for dinner and a relaxed sunset.

Day 4 – Return to Puerto Princesa

• Early breakfast, transfer by boat then van back to Puerto Princesa. Expect a long travel day with multiple stops.

A typical day of the trip would mean early starts, island-hopping all day and relaxed evenings on the accommodation island.

Food — what to expect

Meals are included and are better than you might expect (they supprised us!). Everyday we had breakfast, lunch, a late afternoon snack and dinner. Expect fresh seafood like fish, squid, crab - plus rice and local vegetable dishes.

If you have dietary requirements, tell the tour when booking. We found the cooks very accommodating for my gluten allergy but you need to let them know in advance.

Accommodation basics

Accommodation ranges from basic beach tents to small beach huts. Common features:

• Tents: adequate but basic. Our friends we met on the trip said they were actually quite comfortable.
• Huts: double mattress, mosquito net, fan and sometimes electricity for charging. We highly recommend this as the fan was a life saver!
• Communal dining area, small shop for snacks and beers, beach seating and hammocks.
• Showering is a different story - expect bucket or scoop showers. Toilets are non-flush but were clean and supplied with toilet paper.

Connectivity, power and money

Mobile reception can be patchy - some islands have 3G in places but do not rely on it. There is usually an option to buy Wi-Fi for the trip, but most people skip it and enjoy disconnecting.

Bring enough cash. Extras like alcohol, snacks and tips are cash-only on the islands.

Safety and health

• Bring first-aid basics and any personal medication.
• Watch your feet — sea urchins and sharp coral are possible hazards while snorkelling or wading.
• Sandflies are a nuisance at sunset — cover up with long clothing and use insect repellent.
• Boat and road journeys can be rough — take motion-sickness meds if needed.
• Crocodile sightings have occurred on the main Balabac island in mangroves but they are not a risk at the usual island-hopping sites.

Responsible travel — how to protect Balabac

This place is delicate and mostly untouched. Do your part to keep it that way:

• Do not touch, step on or disturb coral.
• Do not touch turtles or other wildlife. If you see poor handling or wildlife being used as a photo prop, steer clear and report it to the guide.
• Take all rubbish with you and avoid single-use plastics where possible.
• Respect local communities and follow guide instructions at wildlife sites.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Underestimating travel time — the journey from Puerto Princesa is long and tiring.
2. Not taking enough cash — extras on the island are cash-only.
3. Assuming you’ll be in a hut — book early or pay a small upgrade if you want guaranteed fan and electricity.
4. Touching or handling wildlife — don’t participate in or encourage turtle releases or handling.
5. Packing heavy luggage for the boat — use a small daypack and leave big bags at the hotel.

Final practical tips

• Buy snacks and any special medicines at the port — it’s the last decent-sized shop before the islands.
• Bring a good snorkel mask — the underwater clarity is fantastic and you’ll want to see everything.
• Book operators that guarantee the hut/fan upgrade if comfortable nights matter to you.
• Respect the rhythm of island life — early mornings, chilled daytime snorkels and simple evenings.

Don’t Skip Balabac!

Balabac is an unforgettable trip for people who love raw islands, clear water and real adventure. It’s not about luxury — it’s about unique scenery, brilliant snorkelling and small-group island life. Prepare well, pack smart and treat the place with care, and you’ll come away thinking those long transfers were absolutely worth it.