Travel Guide to Balabac Palawan: Exploring the Philippine’s Hidden Gem

Off Borneo's northern coast, where the Philippine territory ends, you'll find the cream of the crop destination for beach bums – the Balabac Islands! I recently visited Balabac in Palawan, and I can confidently say that out of 50+ countries and countless natural wonders, I have never seen beaches as picturesque as Balabac!

This emerging hotspot in the Palawan Province is reached by a slightly arduous journey. Therefore, it's outside the highly trafficked tourist route, but Balabac rises in popularity by the day!

If you've got more than ten days for your Palawan itinerary, I highly recommend adding this 4-day/3-night adventure to your plans!

Overview of the Balabac Experience

Surrounding the large Balabac Island are the most remote islands in the Philippines. Onok Island, Patawan Island, and Punta Sebaring are home to perfectly white sand, shallow waters, mesmerizing coral reefs, and towering palm trees.

Balabac is an expedition into authentic Philippine island culture – full of stunning nature, active days, and lazy nights on the beach. There are no hotels (save a resort on Patawan Island), no stores, and no infrastructure of any kind really.

This is not a luxury tour! It's an adventure trip, so get ready to rough it a little.

Tour Options for Balabac Palawan

The only foolproof way to explore the Balabac Islands (unless you have ample time, patience, and money) is by guided tour. As stated above, the islands are incredibly remote and privately owned, and it's almost impossible to contact local hoteliers.

The most popular tours are offered by Wander Walkers, though several are available online. I found most of them to have comparable prices.

When I went to book, the Wander Walkers tours were already full. I booked with Lagum Adventures instead. It was a suitable alternative, but it felt slightly disorganized, and the communication wasn't stellar.

Public Tours to Balabac

The primary option is a 4D/3N group tour that leaves from Puerto Princesa. It includes all food, transport, and housing in an easy-to-book package (app. 15,000 Philippine Pesos or US$255 pp).

Joiner tours leave on prescheduled dates, so you'll need to book early and build the rest of your Palawan itinerary around your Balabac trip.

With these tours, you'll travel in groups of about 10 people. The operators split you into groups when you arrive, and those will be your people for the rest of the expedition.

Private Tours to Balabac

Most companies also offer a private tour for groups of four or more. These tours can be shortened to 3D/2N, and they aren't excessively expensive. If you're on a time crunch, you might consider this option. You can also generally choose your start date for the private expedition.

Note: You will still visit the same sites and stay at the same campsite as the group tours but have a private boat.

Alternative Option

You can take public transit from Buliliyuan Port to Balabac Town. From there, organize private boats and stay on the nearby islands. In my research, this didn't save money. I would only suggest this if you have a lot of time and want complete freedom. Most of the tourists on our trip were locals, and they had all booked an organized tour too.

Getting to Balabac Palawan

Tours include pick-up from your hotel in Puerto Princesa. Your morning starts early (usually between 3 and 4 am) with a 4-5 hour van ride to Buliluyan Port to board the public ferry.

Here's where it gets interesting… The public ferry will take you out to sea. You'll then transfer, via a pirate plank to your tour boat. The transfer process was slightly precarious, but we all made it safely, and the crew was on guard and helpful.

After boarding, the adventure begins immediately with an afternoon of island hopping. Dress for the sun and sand. You'll arrive on your first beach within the hour. Remember, the islands are pretty much uninhabited, so there aren't a lot of changing rooms, etc.

What to Expect on the Boat

The boats include a crew of 3-4 locals, including your English-speaking guide, and 10-11 tourists. They are basic with metal seats, and a roof, but no indoor area.

You will get wet, and the rides can get rough when you encounter waves. Bring a dry bag for any electronics!

Where You'll Stay in Balabac Palawan

The tours are organized in a day trip fashion, meaning you'll return to the same site each night to sleep. There are a few islands that have basic campsites. Your tour operator will choose your accommodation island.

Most tours stay on Punta Sebaring, located on the southern tip of privately owned Bugsuk Island. It's an absolute paradise with immaculate white sand, plenty of palms for shade, and the most beautiful sunset on its south beach.

Accommodation Options

The owner runs a well-organized camp that includes seaside bungalows and tents. Choose your preference when you book. The bungalows are one room, with a mattress on the floor, a light, and a few fans. They are private for you and your travel companions.

The tent option includes an elevated platform with several tents, situated on the water edge. There are shared fans on the platform, but depending on the weather conditions, this option can be quite sticky!

Pro Tip: If you're a morning person, wake up early and enjoy the incredibly colorful sunrise from your bungalow porch!

Camp Amenities

The camp includes small areas for basketball and volleyball, several hammocks and palapas to relax, stalls for showers and toileting, and clean drinking water. The facilities are clean but basic. You'll use the provided water for bucket showers and to flush the toilets.

There is a small convenience store where you can buy essentials like sunscreen, Pringles, and beer. For a few hours each evening, you may have very limited Wi-Fi. Otherwise, the data and cell signal are pretty much non-existent.

Beware: The western coast (opposite the camp) of Punta Sebaring is home to saltwater crocodiles!

Pro Tip: You can, in some cases, organize a night in the resort on Patawan Island or on gorgeous Onok Island during the booking process. You need only ask!

What You'll Eat

Aside from breakfast on the first day, your meals are provided by the company. Lunches are typically served on the islands and include fresh fruit, fried chicken or fish, and rice.

Evening meals are served back at the campsite and usually include an entree of fresh seafood served with rice, vegetables, and fruit. If you have dietary restrictions, you'll need to arrange your meals ahead of time with the tour operator.

Itinerary for Balabac Palawan

Each tour varies a little bit, but basically, this is how it will look like:

Day 1: Transit and island hopping until evening

Day 2: Sandbar hopping and snorkeling

Day 3: Repeat of day two with different islands and sandbars

Day 4: Wake early and journey back to the mainland

Top Spots in the Balabac Islands

• Patawan Resort and sandbar
• Onok Island
• Candamaran Island
• Starfish Island
• Canibungan Island
• Mansilungan Sandbar
• Canimeran Island

What to Pack for Balabac Palawan

When it comes to packing, you need to be strategic. You'll be transferring on and off vans and boats, sleeping in cramped quarters, etc. I recommend leaving your larger bags at your hotel in Puerto Princesa and taking a backpack or small duffel bag for the trip.

Depending on the season, the weather in Balabac is unpredictable. There are a couple of major wind patterns that affect the area, and rain is always possible, though less likely in the summer months.

Pro Tip: Check with your tour operator before you book your hotel in Puerto Princesa. They have deals with some hotels offering free luggage storage for their clients.

My Recommended Packing List:

• Lightweight rain jacket
• Two swimsuits
• Quick-dry towel, check out this one
• Sunscreen (large bottle)
• Sunglasses
• Swimsuit cover or T-shirt
• 3 lightweight outfits (quick-dry t-shirts, tanks, and shorts) or sundresses
• Pajamas or comfy pants to wear on chilly nights
• Dry bag
• Waterproof camera or waterproof case for your phone
• Inflatable pillow (if you're a diva like me)
• A small array of snacks
• Water bottle

Balabac Palawan – Frequently Asked Questions

🏝️ Are the Balabac Islands safe to visit?

Some bloggers state that Balabac is dangerous due to bandits. The pirates are located across the Sulu Sea, and the coastguard is very active, with no tourist issues reported. Balabac is a safe tourist destination.

☀️ Is Balabac worth it?

Balabac is difficult to reach and presents a time restraint for some travelers to Palawan. However, this remote region is definitely worth exploring if you love calm, clear waters and white-sand beaches!

⛵️ How to get to Balabac from Palawan?

The easiest way to reach Balabac is by guided tour from Puerto Princesa. Several amazing companies, like Wander Walkers, offer 4D/3N all-inclusive packages.

Balabac Palawan – Final Words

If you're looking for a jaunt into paradise, you can't do better than Balabac Palawan. Remote islands, nothing visible but blue waters for miles, Balabac is one of the most beautiful beach destinations in the world. It's not a luxury trip, but it's full of adventure, and for the right kind of traveler, Balabac is a must-visit spot to explore on our next trip to Palawan!

For more Palawan tips, take a look at the best places to stay in El Nido!