Seven days covers three very different parts of Palawan without becoming a transport marathon — if you sequence it correctly and accept that two of those days include a long van.
Quick answer: Two nights Puerto Princesa (whale sharks in season, April to October), two nights Port Barton (reefs and turtles), two nights El Nido (lagoons), flying out of Puerto Princesa or Lio. Book the whale shark morning first and build everything else around it. Tour Z runs only that whale shark tour; the Port Barton day is arranged locally.
The Route at a Glance
| Days | Base | Anchor |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Puerto Princesa | Whale shark and dolphin expedition (Apr–Oct) |
| 3–4 | Port Barton | Reef and turtle snorkelling, booked locally |
| 5–6 | El Nido | Lagoon island hopping |
| 7 | Travel and depart | Van south, or fly from Lio |
Day 1 — Arrive Puerto Princesa
Most Manila flights land late morning. Stay central, near Rizal Avenue, so pickups and restaurants are walkable. Keep the afternoon soft: a west-coast beach needs a whole day, the Underground River needs a morning, and you have neither today. The things to do guide sorts options by how long they actually take.
Evening: confirm tomorrow’s pickup time and check the forecast with your operator.
Day 2 — Whale Sharks and Dolphins
Pickup 6:15–6:30 AM, at sea by around 7:50, back at the pier near 1 PM. Dolphins are usually met on the way out; whale sharks are the uncertain half, which is why we publish the crew sighting log instead of a promise. Nothing is fed, so some mornings produce several animals and some produce none.
Afternoon: rest, or a short city activity. Do not schedule the Underground River today — both need a morning.
Outside April to October the tour does not run. Substitute Honda Bay island hopping or the Underground River and keep the same shape of week.
Day 3 — North to Port Barton
7 AM shared van, 2–3 hours, around ₱600. Book through your accommodation the night before. The last hour winds through hills, so take motion-sickness medication before departure.
Port Barton is a deliberate downshift: one beach, no traffic, power and wifi that come and go. Kayak the bay, eat grilled fish, watch the sunset.
Day 4 — Reefs and Turtles
Arrange the boat locally the day before. Ask what is included, how many guests are expected, what the route is and what happens if the weather turns. Turtle Point is a feeding area for green turtles — observation is passive: no chasing, no touching, nothing lifted out of the water.
Day 5 — On to El Nido
Van via San Vicente, roughly 3 hours. Arrive mid-afternoon, walk the beach, book tomorrow’s boat once you have seen the sky.
Day 6 — El Nido Lagoons
Tour A covers Big and Small Lagoon and is the most popular, which is also its problem in peak months. Tours C and D are quieter for comparable scenery. Boats typically leave around 9 AM and return late afternoon. An environmental fee is collected locally.
Day 7 — Back South, or Out of Lio
Vans to Puerto Princesa leave around 5–6 AM for afternoon flights: 5–6 hours, and worth taking earlier than feels necessary. Alternatively fly from Lio airport in El Nido, which costs more and saves a day — noting that since March 2026 many of those turboprop services run from Clark rather than Manila NAIA.
Two Variants Worth Considering
Wet season (June–October). Keep Puerto Princesa and El Nido, drop one Port Barton night, and hold a spare day at the end. Boats cancel; the itinerary should absorb that rather than break.
Divers. Replace Port Barton with Coron: fly into Busuanga, dive the Second World War wrecks, ferry to El Nido (3.5–4 hours, weather permitting), then fly or drive south. This is a better week for certified divers and a worse one for anyone prone to seasickness.
What It Costs, Roughly
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Whale shark and dolphin tour | ₱3,500 all-in |
| Local island hopping (per day) | Varies by operator and inclusions |
| Van transfers, all legs | ₱1,600–2,000 |
| Accommodation, 6 nights | ₱6,000–18,000 budget to mid-range |
| Food and drink, 7 days | ₱3,500–7,000 |
Flights are extra, and fares move constantly. Treat everything here as a planning range rather than a quote.
Booking Order That Works
- Season-constrained things first — whale sharks, Underground River permits.
- Flights second, once the anchor dates are fixed.
- Rooms third.
- Vans and boats last, a day or two ahead, with the weather visible.
The reasoning behind the season part is in best time to visit Palawan, and the transport detail is in how to get to Palawan.
Book the whale shark tour → · Things to do in Palawan · Puerto Princesa travel guide
