Island Hopping in Palawan: Exploring the Beautiful Island
If you’re looking to explore the stunning Palawan island in the Philippines, then you’ll want to take a look at this guide on island hopping in Palawan! This popular activity enables you to view many of the different attractions that Palawan has to offer, including the Bacuit Archipelago and several beautiful beaches, such as Balabag Beach, Cadlao Island Beach, Taytay Mainit Beach, Corong-Corong Beach, White Beach and Punta Dumaluan Beach.
Getting Around

The best way to see Palawan is by hopping around from one island to the next. You can take a ferry or plane between the islands. The most popular way to get around is by motorbike. You can also rent a car, but keep in mind that gas is very expensive.
On the mainland, there are plenty of beautiful places to explore, from mountains to diving spots. There are also many scenic routes that you can take by car or bike. Some good scenic routes include Kawayan Cove and Burgos Peak.
If you’re into waterfalls, try heading to the Ilonggo-American Falls and Quipot Falls near El Nido.
You can find numerous mountains on Palawan such as Mount Pamitinan National Park and Mount Malindig Sitio Camalig near Sabang. Some mountain ranges include Mount Bantayog-Pintong Bantayog Range (which includes Mount Balabag) and Mount Victoria range at Coron, which has an elevation of 2,920 meters above sea level with an extinct volcano summit.
Diving

If you’re looking for amazing diving, Palawan is the place for you. With crystal clear water and an abundance of marine life, there’s no better place to explore the underwater world. From beginner to advanced, there are dive sites for everyone to enjoy. And if you’re not a diver, don’t worry – snorkeling is also a great way to see the vibrant reef life. The area around El Nido has some of the best spots for both diving and snorkeling. There are plenty of boats available with affordable rates so it’s easy to get out on the water without breaking your budget. You can also find excellent local accommodations that are perfect for divers and non-divers alike. El Nido Resorts offer all inclusive packages that include everything from meals to scuba dives at their own diving center. Plus, they have spacious rooms with outdoor showers!
There’s so much more to do in Palawan than just explore the ocean though. Wander through centuries old rice terraces or visit remote villages where time seems to stand still. Try delicious street food or buy crafts from locals at markets. Make sure you bring your camera because there are photo opportunities everywhere!
Kayaking

You can get up close and personal with the limestone cliffs, mangroves, and clear blue waters. Plus, there’s something really peaceful about paddling your own boat through paradise.
My guide for this trip was Edwin, who also does tours of around the bay every day. He took me on a 3-hour tour that explored a different part of the island each hour; my favorite was exploring tiny hidden beaches! I even found a baby seal lounging on one beach! It was so cute how it flopped over when we came near, as if inviting us to play with it.
Edwin explained that baby seals are born white and turn brown as they grow older and molt their fur. It didn’t take long before we had seen all of Palawan’s natural beauty, so I hopped back into the kayak to paddle back to shore – but not before throwing out some hand signals at the people walking by on the opposite side of the water. Turns out most people here don’t know sign language, but still managed to say hello back with a wave!
I think this is one of the best ways to explore Palawan because you can see so much more than just what’s on land. There were always surprises waiting just around the next corner. And since everything is provided (kayaks, life jackets, snorkels), you don’t have to worry about anything other than enjoying yourself!
Hiking

Palawan is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Soak up the sun on white sand beaches, go for a swim in crystal clear waters, or explore the reefs and tide pools. There are also plenty of beach activities to keep you busy, from building sandcastles to playing volleyball.
No matter what you do, you’re sure to have an amazing time island hopping in Palawan!
If hiking is your thing, there are also plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure. The most popular hike on Palawan is Mount Mantalingahan, which is located in Puerto Princesa. The mountain towers over Bortolan town and offers some stunning views at its peak. It’s a fun trek for all ages, but keep in mind that it can get quite steep so plan accordingly with plenty of water and snacks.
If you prefer something a little easier on your knees (or even if you just want to climb Mt Mantalingahan from another angle), take a day trip through Noyo Marine Park to Magpupungko Beach for a different perspective on Mt Mantalingahan.
Snorkeling

The first stop on our island hopping tour was to a small island off the coast of Palawan. The water was crystal clear and we could see tons of fish swimming around us. We even saw a few turtles! After snorkeling, we relaxed on the beach for a bit before heading to our next stop. As we walked along the shoreline, I found all sorts of shells that I had never seen before. It was really cool to be able to find something new! The next spot on our list was to an uninhabited island called Mogpog. There were no other people there at all, just birds and trees. My favorite part about this trip was seeing a group of iguanas sunning themselves in the sand.
We stopped by another island with white sand beaches called El Nido. In order to get here we took a boat from Port Barton where we took a ferry to get over there as well as an hour-long ride by speedboat through some pretty rough waters.
I have some great pictures of my friends playing with local kids at El Nido as well as jumping into the warm blue waters from one of the many nearby cliffs or jumping off them into natural pools below!
Land Tours

Palawan is teeming with natural beauty, from its white-sand beaches and clear blue waters to its lush jungle landscapes. There are plenty of ways to explore the island, but one of the best is by island hopping. This way, you can see multiple sights in one day and get a taste of what Palawan has to offer. Plus, island hopping is a great way to meet new people and make friends. Here are some tips for island hopping in Palawan – Pack light – especially if you’re planning on swimming or snorkeling while exploring the islands. You don’t want to be bogged down with too much stuff!
- Be mindful of your surroundings – know where all of your belongings are at all times and don’t leave them unattended while exploring different parts of the islands.
- Bring lots of cash – it’s not uncommon for there to be an ATM on each island, but they’re sometimes out of order or have low funds available so it’s always better to be safe than sorry! – Don’t forget sunscreen, a hat, and any necessary medications that you might need. And don’t forget about water! It gets hot here even during the rainy season so keep hydrated throughout your journey.
Sightseeing

This Philippine island is teeming with natural beauty, from its turquoise waters to its lush jungle landscapes. And there’s plenty to do, from swimming and snorkelling to hiking and exploring. Here are our top picks for how to explore this gem of an island…
-The Underground River Tour is a must-do while visiting Palawan. You’ll spend two hours travelling along the calm waters of subterranean caves, submerged forests and prehistoric fossils before emerging back into daylight. The water is crystal clear and it’s amazing being surrounded by nothing but darkness (except for your headlamp). Plus, this tour will show you places that tourists on other tours won’t be able to see!
-If you love nature as much as we do then renting a kayak should be on your list of things to do while visiting Palawan. We loved paddling out to small islands off the coast and spotting colourful sea creatures, like parrotfish, sea turtles and clownfish. We also saw some strange looking plants, like bright pink bougainvillea flowers lining the shoreline of one particular island.