7-Day Palawan Itinerary: Puerto Princesa, Port Barton & El Nido
A 7-day Palawan itinerary covers three destinations: 2 nights Puerto Princesa (whale shark tour + Underground River), 2–3 nights Port Barton (island hopping + sea turtles), and 2 nights El Nido (lagoon tours). Travel between each destination by shared van. Book the whale shark tour and Port Barton island hopping before anything else — they anchor the itinerary.
Seven days is the sweet spot for Palawan. Enough time for three completely different environments without feeling rushed. This itinerary is built around real transport schedules, actual departure times, and the two experiences that make a Palawan trip memorable: Tour Z's whale shark expedition and island hopping in Port Barton.
Your 7-Day Palawan Overview
Day 1 — Arrive Puerto Princesa
Most Manila flights arrive mid-morning or early afternoon. Settle into your hotel near the city centre (Rizal Avenue area) and use the afternoon to explore. Puerto Princesa is cleaner and more pleasant than most visitors expect — the seafront Plaza Cuartel, the Palawan Wildlife Rescue Centre (crocodile sanctuary), and the Rizal Avenue food strip are all within easy tricycle range.
Evening: Dinner at Kinabuch's or Ka Lui Restaurant — both famous for fresh local seafood. Budget ₱300–600 per person.
Day 2 — Whale Shark & Dolphin Tour
Tour Z picks you up from your hotel at 7:00 AM. The 30ft speedboat departs the pier and reaches the wildlife zone in 20 minutes — well ahead of the slow bangkas that carry most other tours. Swim with wild whale sharks in open ocean, no feeding, no crowds. Cruise alongside spinner and bottlenose dolphin pods. Professional drone footage captured and sent to your phone.
The tour returns by 1:00 PM. Afternoon free — if you want the Underground River, arrange permits separately and visit this afternoon or add a third night in Puerto Princesa.
Day 3 — Transfer to Port Barton
Take the 7:00 AM shared van from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton (2–3 hours, ₱600). Arriving mid-morning gives you the afternoon to settle in. Port Barton is a dramatic change of pace — no cars, no crowds, one long sandy beach facing the sunset. Rent a kayak, paddle to a nearby island, eat fresh grilled tuna, and sleep well.
Day 4 — Port Barton Island Hopping
Tour Z departs from Port Barton Beach at 8:00 AM. Six named stops over 7 hours: Twin Reef and Fantastic Reef (snorkelling, fan corals, reef fish), Turtle Point (wild green sea turtles), Starfish Island (Chocolate Chip starfish sandbar), Paradise Island (hidden white sand beach), Maxima Island and Exotic Island (island lunch served on the beach). Returns 4:00 PM.
Evening back on the beach — cold beer, spectacular sunset, no regrets.
Day 5 — Transfer to El Nido
Van from Port Barton to El Nido via San Vicente — approximately 3 hours, ₱600–700. Arrive mid-afternoon with time to book your island hopping tour for Day 6 and walk the town. El Nido's main beach is louder and more developed than Port Barton — a deliberate contrast that makes you appreciate both.
Day 6 — El Nido Island Hopping Tour A
Tour A covers Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon (kayaking through limestone walls), Secret Lagoon, and Shimizu Island snorkelling — widely considered the best of El Nido's four routes. Departs 9:00 AM, returns 5:00 PM. Book through your guesthouse the evening before. Evening: the El Nido Viewpoint hike at sunset rewards 20 minutes of effort with panoramic bay views.
Day 7 — El Nido to Puerto Princesa & Departure
Take the 5:00 or 6:00 AM van to Puerto Princesa (5–6 hours) to make afternoon flights. Alternatively, fly directly from El Nido Airport (ENI) to Manila on AirSwift — more expensive but saves the overland return. Book El Nido flights early as seats are very limited.
Budget Estimate (Per Person)
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Whale shark & dolphin tour (Tour Z) | ₱3,500 |
| Port Barton island hopping (Tour Z) | ₱1,700 |
| Van transfers (all) | ₱1,600–2,000 |
| Accommodation (6 nights, budget-mid) | ₱6,000–18,000 |
| Food & drinks (7 days) | ₱3,500–7,000 |
| El Nido Tour A | ₱1,200–1,800 |
| Total land costs | ₱17,500–34,000 |
Book Days 2 and 4 Before Anything Else
The whale shark tour and Port Barton island hopping anchor this entire itinerary. Both sell out weeks ahead during peak season.
🦈 Day 2: Whale Shark Tour 🐢 Day 4: Island HoppingFrequently Asked Questions
Seven days covers Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, and El Nido comfortably if you move efficiently. Ten days allows for a more relaxed pace — add a second night in Port Barton and an extra El Nido tour. Five days is possible but feels rushed.
Visit Port Barton first. El Nido's dramatic scenery adds well to the experience after Port Barton's quieter, wildlife-focused character. The reverse — doing El Nido first — occasionally makes Port Barton feel anticlimactic for travellers focused primarily on scenery.
Yes — El Nido Airport (ENI) has flights to Manila operated by AirSwift. Tickets cost more than Puerto Princesa flights but save 5–6 hours of overland travel. Book early as availability is very limited.
November to April is ideal — dry season brings calm seas, clear visibility, and optimal conditions for both the whale shark tour and island hopping. February and March offer the most settled weather. May and October are excellent value shoulder months.