Island Hopping in Palawan: Your Complete Guide to All Destinations
Palawan offers island hopping in four main areas: Port Barton (sea turtles, coral reefs, small groups, ₱1,700 all-inclusive), El Nido (limestone lagoons, four standardised tour routes, A–D, higher crowds), Coron (wreck diving, freshwater lakes, different ecosystem), and Honda Bay near Puerto Princesa (budget option, close to city, suitable for half-days). Port Barton is recommended for marine wildlife quality; El Nido for scenery; Coron for diving; Honda Bay for convenience.
Palawan is synonymous with island hopping — but the term covers very different experiences depending on where you go. The lagoons of El Nido, the wildlife circuit of Port Barton, the wreck-dives of Coron, and the accessible bays of Honda Bay each offer something distinct. This guide compares all four so you can choose the right experience for your interests and schedule.
Island Hopping in Port Barton — Best for Marine Wildlife
What it is: A full-day bangka circuit visiting 6 named stops — Turtle Point (wild sea turtles), Twin Reef (snorkelling), Starfish Island (Chocolate Chip starfish), Paradise Island (white sand beach), and Maxima and Exotic Island (island lunch). Tour Z runs the counter-clockwise route with a maximum of 18 guests.
Best for: Wildlife encounters, clean reef snorkelling, uncrowded beaches, small-group experience.
Price: ₱1,700 all-inclusive (Tour Z) — eco-tax, lunch, snorkel gear, all fees included.
Season: Year-round. Best conditions December–April.
Island Hopping in El Nido — Best for Scenery
What it is: Four standardised tour routes (A, B, C, D) covering different combinations of lagoons, snorkelling spots, and beaches within El Nido's Bacuit Archipelago. Tour A (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island) is the most popular.
Best for: Dramatic limestone karst photography, kayaking through enclosed lagoons, travellers who want multiple tour options.
Price: ₱1,200–2,500 per tour depending on inclusions. Watch for hidden fees on some operators.
Caveat: El Nido receives dramatically more visitors than Port Barton. Popular stops on Tour A can be crowded with multiple boats simultaneously. Snorkelling quality is inconsistent and more variable than Port Barton.
Island Hopping in Coron — Best for Divers
What it is: Coron's island hopping is built around WWII Japanese shipwrecks in Coron Bay — some of the world's most accessible wreck dives — combined with visits to freshwater lakes (Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon) and scenic limestone cliffs. A completely different ecosystem from Port Barton or El Nido.
Best for: Scuba divers, travellers interested in freshwater lake swimming, wreck exploration.
Price: ₱1,500–3,000 for island hopping tours. Diving add-ons significantly increase cost.
Note: Coron requires a separate flight or ferry from Puerto Princesa — it is not easily combined with Port Barton or El Nido on a short trip.
Honda Bay Island Hopping (Puerto Princesa) — Most Accessible
What it is: A half or full-day circuit of the small islands in Honda Bay, 20–30 minutes from Puerto Princesa city. Visits Starfish Island (different from Port Barton's), Cowrie Island, Luli Island, and Pandan Island.
Best for: Budget travellers, those with very limited time who can't reach Port Barton or El Nido, families with young children.
Price: ₱1,200–1,800 including lunch and fees.
Honest note: Honda Bay is a reasonable introduction to island hopping but significantly less impressive than Port Barton or El Nido. If you have time to reach Port Barton, go there instead.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Port Barton | El Nido | Coron | Honda Bay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Marine wildlife | Scenery / lagoons | Diving / wrecks | Convenience |
| Turtle sightings | ✓ Excellent | Occasional | Rare | Rare |
| Snorkelling | ✓ Excellent | Variable | Good | Basic |
| Crowds | ✓ Low | High | Medium | Low-medium |
| Limestone scenery | Moderate | ✓ Spectacular | Good | None |
| All-inclusive price | ₱1,700 | ₱1,200–2,500 | ₱1,500–3,000+ | ₱1,200–1,800 |
Book Port Barton's Best-Rated Island Hopping
6 named stops · Wild sea turtles · ₱1,700 all-inclusive · Max 18 guests · Counter-clockwise route
🐢 Book Port Barton Tour 🦈 Also: Whale Shark TourFrequently Asked Questions
For marine wildlife and uncrowded experience: Port Barton. For dramatic limestone scenery and lagoon kayaking: El Nido. For wreck diving and freshwater lakes: Coron. For convenience close to Puerto Princesa airport: Honda Bay.
Yes — most Palawan itineraries of 7+ days include both. The van from Port Barton to El Nido via San Vicente takes approximately 3 hours. Do Port Barton first for the wildlife experience, then El Nido for the scenery.
During peak season (December–April), book 2–4 weeks ahead for quality small-group operators. Tour Z's Port Barton island hopping fills several weeks ahead in January–March. Shoulder season can often be booked 3–7 days ahead.