Ever heard of Balabac Palawan in the Philippines? It’s like a hidden treasure waiting to be explored, and I’ve got the ultimate adventure for your bucket list!
Back in December 2019, during my big world trip, I took a 4-day island-hopping journey to the remote islands of Balabac Palawan. People used to avoid this place because of safety concerns, but it’s been declared safe for a while now, making it the perfect time to discover this untouched paradise.
I am super excited to share my experience in this article—tips on how to get there, where to stay, the best time to visit, my favourite islands in Balabac Palawan, and the best spots for Insta-worthy photos. Get ready to explore the real paradise of Balabac Palawan with me!
WARNING: This Balabac Palawan adventure is not your typical trip—it’s quite different from the TAO Expeditions between El Nido and Coron.
The Balabac Island Expedition: what to expect
When I first heard about Balabac Palawan, I really wanted to go see what it was all about. People usually suggested island expeditions in El Nido or Coron with Tao Expeditions, but when I learned that Balabac Island is one of the most remote places in the Philippines, I couldn’t help but want to see this paradise with my own eyes.
I camped on the beach in a simple tent, took bucket showers, and used a basic bucket-flush toilet. No WiFi or signal, lots of sand fly bites, and weathering a tropical sea storm. But you know what? Throughout this incredible Balabac Palawan adventure, I’ve never felt more connected to our beautiful planet!
I visited the most amazing white-sand beaches, mind-blowing sandbars, and swam in super clear waters. This Balabac island expedition was such an unforgettable experience, and honestly, I’d do it all over again!
Keen to hear more about it?
First things first: is Balabac Island safe?
For a while, tourists avoided Balabac Palawan due to piracy and kidnapping concerns, but it’s been declared safe for several years now. During our adventure (except for a crazy tropical sea storm), I felt completely secure. TripAdvisor has reviews from other travelers sharing their safe and fantastic experiences too.
Now, addressing a couple of misconceptions about Balabac that shouldn’t hold you back:
Malaria in Balabac Palawan
Sure, there were reported cases of Malaria in some parts of Palawan and Balabac in the past, but not on the islands you’ll visit with the Balabac Island Adventure Expedition by Wanderwalkers. They stick to the highlight islands where there are no recent cases.
Just a heads up: I didn’t take any antimalarial meds and I was totally fine. Bring good mosquito repellent and longer clothes for the evenings.
Saltwater crocodiles in Balabac Palawan
Reports of saltwater crocs are near the mainland of Balabac Island, not the islands I visited during the expedition. The Bugsuk Island campsite, where I stayed, is almost 4-5 hours away from the mainland, so no worries there!
Exploring Balabac Island: How to go to Balabac Palawan?
When I was planning this Balabac Palawan island expedition, figuring out how to get there was the toughest part.
Here’s the deal: The easiest way is to take a flight to Puerto Princesa, which is pretty straightforward from major airports in the Philippines like Manila (1h25min) or Cebu (1h40min). I booked a one-way flight from Manila to Coron for $105 per person and then hopped on a boat and mini-van to make it all the way to Puerto Princesa.
Check for flights to Puerto Princesa here
From Puerto Princesa to Balabac
When you touch down in Puerto Princesa, you’ll need to go to the port of Rio Tuba by mini-van or bus to arrange a boat that will take you to Balabac Island. A few buses and vans are departing daily from 4 am-9 pm to Rio Tuba, which takes around 4-5 hours but the easiest way is to book a private or group tour with transfers included as we did.
Not only you’ll save lots of time as you’ll drive straight to Buliluyan Port, but you’ll also have a boat the same day that will bring you to the islands of Balabac Palawan. This way you’ll start this amazing island-hopping adventure in the Philippines right away.
Island-hopping in the Philippines: the Balabac Island Expedition
I chose Wanderwalkers for this Balabac Island Expedition, and they truly lived up to my expectations. The booking process was so easy, and the crew was incredibly friendly. Among the limited tour companies offering trips to Balabac Island, Wanderwalkers stood out with the best reviews on TripAdvisor.
A quick tip: Before committing to a Balabac Island expedition, be aware that it’s a journey to the most remote islands of Palawan. This isn’t a luxurious trip, and planned activities may change based on weather conditions.
If you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone, love adventure, and immerse yourself in the authentic island life, then this trip is MADE FOR YOU. Keep reading for more details!
Read also: Philippines in 3-4 weeks: travel route + tips
Balabac Island Expedition: private tour vs group tour
Exploring Balabac Island with Wanderwalkers offers two options: group tours or private tours. I opted for the private tour, perfect for couples, families, or a group of friends seeking the freedom to experience Balabac Island together.
During my private tour, I shared transfers from Puerto Princesa with another family and stayed at the same campsite. However, I had my own boat with boatmen, allowing me to have extra time on each island as long as I wanted. This meant more time for capturing all the stunning moments, soaking in the beauty, and almost having each island entirely to myself—an absolute highlight of the trip!
I paid 16.000 Philippine Peso (PHP) or 332 USD per person for the private 4 days/ 3 nights Balabac Island Expedition and had the following included:
- Return transfers from Puerto Princesa – Buliluyan Port
- Private boat with the local boat crew
- All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Entrance fees to visit the islands of Balabac
- Beachfront campsite with a tent and mattress
- Use of a generator at night to charge your camera
- Travel insurance with medical coverage
Note: I could upgrade to a shared dorm beach hut with mattresses and mosquito nets but they were fully booked by the family where I shared the transfers with. Normally it would have been 500 PHP or 10 USD per person for the entire trip, which is definitely worth it if you don’t like sleeping in a tent.
How many days do you need to explore Balabac Palawan?
If you’re planning a trip around the Philippines and other islands, I suggest setting aside 4 days and 3 nights for Balabac Palawan. This timeframe gives you enough days to discover all the best parts of this adventure without feeling rushed. It’s a comfortable amount of time to enjoy each island fully and soak in the fantastic experiences waiting for you.
Best time to visit Balabac Island
There are two main seasons in the Philippines; the dry season (Nov – May) and the wet season (Jun-Oct).
Although weather in Balabac Palawan is very different and unpredictable from the rest of the country>.
Balabac Island dry season: March – May
Balabac Island wet season: June – February
The best time to visit Balabac Island is during summer, which is between March and May. During these months, you’ll have the most chance of sunny weather and fewer rains or tropical storms. I went in December, which is not the best time to go to Balabac Palawan, but I was very lucky I only had one heavy tropical storm during those 4 days.
The advantage of going to Balabac Island during the wet season is that you’ll have the islands to yourself but prepare for a mix of rain and sun + rough seas.
Balabac Island Expedition: our experience + day-to-day planning
Balabac Island: Day 1
🚌 Puerto Princesa – Buliluyan Port (5-6h)
✔️ Patawan Island
⛺ Bugsuk Island
On the initial day of my Balabac island adventure, I was picked up from my hotel in Puerto Princesa at 2:30 am. En route, we stopped at a local restaurant for breakfast, enjoying some rice with boiled vegetables. The journey involved 2 mini-vans, one of which accommodated a family also heading to Balabac Island.
After a 6-hour drive, we reached Buliluyan Port. Here, we waited for an hour before boarding a small traditional Filipino boat. Due to some boat issues, I joined the family on the first day to reach the island where I would spend the night.
En route to the campsite, the first stop was Patawan Island, boasting a gorgeous white beach surrounded by mesmerizing turquoise waters. Patawan Island proved to be an ideal spot for drone flights, photography, and a refreshing swim. Looking back on the entire Balabac Palawan expedition, Patawan Island stood out as one of my favourite photo spots.
The campsite I stayed at was on Bugsuk Island (Punta Sebaring), still undeveloped and wonderfully untouched. It’s the second-largest island in Balabac, hosting just one campsite right on the beach—no hotels, lodges, or big shops around, only a small local store (although don’t expect a variety of great food or drinks). The campsite is managed by a friendly local family who treated me like part of their own.
They have a tiny restaurant where they prepare your meals as part of the tour. For showering, there’s a large bucket filled with water, and there are 4 bucket-flush toilets to share with others.
Upon our arrival at 3 pm, I set up my tent, arranged bedding, and enjoyed some drinks on the beach. The family cooked some fresh veggies and rice for dinner, and I witnessed a breathtaking sunset.
Balabac Island: Day 2
✔️ Mansalangan Sandbar
✔️ Starfish Island
✔️ Onok Island
⛺ Bugsuk Island
Day 2 of this awesome adventure in the Philippines began with a stunning sunrise over the ocean, followed by a simple breakfast with my toes in the sand. Pure paradise! Once I finished breakfast, a new boat awaited me for another thrilling day of island-hopping around Balabac Palawan.
First stop of the day, was the gorgeous Mansalangan sandbar, where I had a blast flying the drone and indulging in a refreshing swim in the incredibly blue waters. Guys, this place is breathtaking!
After the sandbar, I stopped in the middle of the ocean at Starfish Island to swim with lots of starfishes. Definitely take your go pro or an underwater housing for your camera or phone to take some fun shots.
Onok Island was the last stop, where the boat got stuck at Roughton Reef right before we entered the island because of low tide. I felt so bad we hit the coral, but the locals here didn’t seem to care that much. The island sits on an atoll, which makes it difficult to find the entrance and it took more than one hour to get out of the coral.
Finally, on Onok Island we had lunch in one of the wooden houses on stilts and walked afterward around the island to catch some coconuts. I loved taking photos here and did some snorkelling at the reef.
Onok Island is one of the main highlights when visiting the islands of Balabac Palawan, and definitely one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines too! Getting to this island is hard, but so worth it.
When we got back to the campsite, we found ourselves in the middle of a massive tropical sea storm. Giant waves filled our boat, and I was so scared. The boatmen were stressed too, making me worry the whole time that we wouldn’t make it through.
A few hours later, completely soaked, we arrived back at the campsite. The family was watching news about the tropical typhoon Tisoy which had entered the Philippines and led to the evacuation of over 300,000 people. I felt incredibly relieved to be back on land and considered it just another part of the adventure, right!?
Balabac Palawan: Day 3
✔️Natural Infinity Pool
✔️ Bonbon Beach (Bugsuk Island)
✔️ Punta Sebaring sandbar (Bugsuk Island)
⛺ Bugsuk Island
On day 3, I woke up at 6 am to catch the sunrise. The family prepared fruits and oats for breakfast and after that we explored three spots, all around Bugsuk Island.
The first stop was the Natural Infinity Pool, a large lagoon surrounded by a sandbank that created a natural pool. I swam in the turquoise blue ocean and completely forgot to fly the drone in the excitement. But trust me, this place is absolutely breathtaking.
After some swimming, we visited the white sandy beaches of Bonbon Beach on Bugsuk Island. Due to annoying sand flies, I asked the boatmen to take me to the next spot.
They brought me to Punta Sebaring sandbar, where I relaxed in crystal clear waters and soaked up the sun. It’s also on Bugsuk Island, not far from the campsite, and has the finest, powdery sands. The perfect spot to disconnect from everything and reconnect with our beautiful planet.
Day 4
✔️ Patongong Island
🚌 Buliluyan Port – Puerto Princesa (5-6h)
On the final day of the Balabac island expedition, we visited Patongong Island, home to one of the most breathtaking beaches in Balabac Palawan. It’s a tiny island, and you can stroll around it in just 10 minutes. When I stepped onto Patongong Island, it reminded me of the Maldives – the only other place where I’ve seen this incredible array of 50 shades of blue.
With its powdery white sandy beaches, Patongong Island is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful spots in the Balabac Islands.
After hanging out on Patangong Island for a few hours and a 4-hour boat ride, we safely made it to Buliluyan Port. My driver was there, ready to pick me up and take me back to Puerto Princesa.
Saying goodbye to the incredible islands of Balabac Palawan was hard. I hopped into the minivan, drove for 6 hours back to Puerto Princesa, and continued my journey around the Philippines.
Read also: Best places to stay in the Philippines
Extra tips for your Balabac Palawan Island Expedition
- Take a sweater or blanket for the bus ride from Puerto Princesa; they love cranking up the air conditioning.
- Bring enough cash; there are no ATMs on the islands.
- Don’t forget insect repellent and sunscreen!
- Pack a small bag with essentials: flippers, a towel, snorkel equipment, bikinis, toiletries, and maybe a long trouser for nights to protect from mosquitoes/sand flies. Also, bring a book or headphones for long boat rides.
- If you’re plant-based/vegan, pack some extra healthy snacks.
- Lastly, leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, and make memories for life!
Final Thoughts on the Balabac Palawan Island Expedition
If you’re someone who adores secluded beaches, diving into the most mesmerizing blue waters, craving adventure in the Philippines, and seeking a place to unwind and connect with nature, do consider adding Balabac Island in Palawan to your bucket list!
Despite the lengthy travel times, especially compared to TAO expeditions in El Nido or Coron, it’s absolutely worth every second! The islands of Balabac Palawan boast some of the best beaches in the entire Philippines, if not the world. Plus, during the off-peak season, you’ll practically have this paradise all to yourself.
I hope my experience has sparked your interest in visiting this untouched gem. If you have any questions, feel free to drop them below or connect with me on Instagram. I’d love to share more about this stunning destination.
Plan your Balabac Palawan Island Expedition with these valuable travel resources
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3 comments
We love your blog! Such great, helpful content and you’ve clearly put in a lot of effort with graphics, photos, and writing. So well done.
Hi! Thank you so much for your comment, really appreciate your kind words! Love, Valerie
I’ve never been here but reading the blog makes me want to go and also the place looks so peaceful and very clean. Hoping to have a chance to see this wonderful island!!