An exceptional island-hopping adventure from one palm-fringed tropical island to another, culminating in Coron to snorkel or dive on a fleet of Japanese shipwrecks, and to kayak around spectacular, towering limestone islands.
Our transport will be traditional outrigger "banca" (pictured below) and flamboyant "jeepneys" as we hop from one Robinson Crusoe hideaway to the next.
Our first stop will be Puerto Galera (above) in Northern Mindoro which has a lively beach scene. With four days here, those who wish to can undertake an Open Water diving course (if already divers, can take further dive courses) or just enjoy some excellent snorkelling, a string of pretty beaches, a chance to go kayaking and to explore the area. Mountain bikes can be rented to go further inland.
From here we will travel by local jeepney and outrigger "banca" around the island of Mindoro to a tiny island with just one rustic beach resort and a perfect white sand beach. Two full days here enjoy one of the most idyllic beaches, snorkel, or a visit to the local township of Sablayan. Those divers amongst us have the option to make a full day trip to the awesome Apo Reef, one of the Philippines' top dive spots - an underwater lagoon featuring dramatic walls and dropoffs that attract lots of pelagics as well as encouraging impressive coral formations. Nearby Hunter Rock is alive with sea snakes!.
Next we make an open water boat crossing to the group of islands located half way between Mindoro and the long, finger-shaped island of Palawan known as the Calamian Group. A whole fleet of Japanese ships were sunk here by American planes during WWII, twelve of which now lie in shallow waters (to about 40m) and have become exceptional artificial reefs.
Our accommodation will be at Kubo Sa Dagat, an unique stilt house built over the water surrounded by islands and sea where the only sound at night is the gentle lapping of the ripples around the stilts, the only light in the sky the stars and the moon. A naturalist's paradise! Kayaks will be available to borrow so that you can paddle off to explore neighbouring islands, reefs and mangrove forests. Each day the banca will take us to visit, for example, the extraordinary brackish water lakes of Coron Island, a dramatic karst limestone island that is the home of the primative Tagbanwa Tribe, or to snorkel over the best wrecks and reefs, drop in on uninhabited islands, explore beaches, sea caves and coral gardens.
If we have a significant number of divers in the group, we could change from Kubo Sa Dagat to the beautiful island eco-resort of Sangat Island reserve, located in a cove of a karst limestone island in Coron Bay, with its own private beach and dive centre (this option will add alittle to the cost).
Finally we will return to Manila by overnight ferry - a large comfortable ship that sails just once per week.
* For those unable to join for the full duration, there are options to join the group on Pandan Island or to depart early from Busuanga by flight back to Manila (note: baggage allowance on the small plane is just 10 kg).
If you like the idea of this trip but can't make these dates, let us design a tailored trip especially to suite you.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Manila (-/-/-)
Arrive in Manila where a vehicle and driver will meet you and take you to your hotel to check in. In the evening there will be a welcome meeting and briefing. The hotel is located in Ermita, central Manila, from where it is a short stride to Malate district, the seat of Manila cafe society. In the evenings, the bars and cafes along Adriatico St. and around Remedios Circle are hives of Bacchanalian activity. It is entirely possible that you will witness impromptu performances of poetry, dance, song, etc. by coffee and alcohol saturated young hopefuls. Overnight Manila (3* city hotel).
Day 2: Manila - Puerto Galera (B/-/-)
Breakfast at the hotel then transfer by minibus to Batangas, where you board the Sikat ferry to Puerto Galera (2 hrs. road and 2 hrs. boat). Keep a careful watch out on the crossing as dolphins are a common sight. Another sight worth staying on deck for is Puerto Galera's beautiful natural harbour, named by the Spanish sailors who used to shelter their galleons here from tropical typhoons. On arrival, a traditional outrigger banca>/i> will take you a little further around the coast to Big La Laguna Beach. Check into the Deep Blue See Inn, located on the white sandy beach of Big La Laguna. For any divers, you may do a check out dive today followed by your first proper dive of the holiday! For the non-divers, you can simply relax or explore the neighbouring beaches of Small La Laguna and Sabang - the hub of night time activity.
Days 3-6: Puerto Galera (B/-/-)
Four full days to enjoy the beach, go snorkeling, kayaking, mountain biking or simply sunning & swimming. You could explore inland where the Mangyan tribal people live a very traditional, simple existence of swidden farming in the hills. For evening entertainment there are many seafood restaurants on the beach front and the nightlife kicks off on Sabang beach, a 20 minute walk with torch crossing rocky headlands and passing Small La Laguna Beach.
These four days are also an ideal opportunity to learn to dive, or for current divers to advance their training. For diver who just want to dive, there are a number of excellent sites in the vicinity, and the coral reef here is good for snorkelers.
Day 7: Puerto Galera - Pandan Island (B/L/D)
After breakfast board the banca again for an enjoyable one and a half hour ride to Abra de Ilog. The journey is then continued by private jeepney to Sablayan - a further 3 hrs - before boarding another banca which will take you to the quiet and beautiful island of Pandan. Jeepneys are the ubiquitous local form of road transport and are characteristically Filipino, they are often fantastically decorated and quite often will date (in part at least!) back to WW II. Views when riding in Jeepneys are often restricted, but there are three positions which overcome that problem - in front with the driver, right at the back or on the roof! Lunch, dinner and overnight at Pandan Island.
Day 8: Pandan Island (B/L/D)
Besides the excellent coral gardens for snorkelling and diving, there is also some splendid terrestrial scenery on this gorgeous island. There are Palm fringed white sand beaches in the south, and in the north, verdant jungle which comes right down to the beach (worth a look, for those interested in fauna and flora). For the more sedentary there is always the well stocked beach bar to prop up. Divers can make arrangements with the in-house Divemaster. Overnight at the solar powered Pandan Island Resort.
Day 9: Pandan Island (B/L/D)
Another relaxing day. Divers, however, can choose a full day dive trip to the amazing Apo Reef, one of the best dive spots in the Philippines. This is an underwater lagoon featuring dramatic walls and drop offs that attract lots of pelagics as well as encouraging impressive coral formations. Nearby Hunter Rock is alive with sea snakes. Overnight at Pandan Island Resort.
Day 10: Pandan Island - Coron (B/L/D)
Breakfast at Pandan before departing by private banca to Busuanga, the largest oif the Calamian Group of islands located just north of Palawan. The crossing will take about 6 hrs with picnic lunch on route, and can sometimes be a bit rough. Watching out for flying fish, Dolphins or other marine animals might alleviate the hours on board, but the scenery around Busuanga is well worth the wait. This is an archipelago of many razor-backed, tropical jungle clad islands of sheer limestone. If you are not impressed, visit your GP immediately upon your return. Accommodation will be at the stunning Sangat Island Reserve, a very natural eco-resort located on a white sand beach surrounded by karst limestone hills.
Day 11: Kubo Sa Dagat (B/L/D)
After breakfast, set off by banca for a day tour to Coron island, a dramatic, towering karst limestone island from which the bay and the main town on Busuanga take their names? and also the wrecks. Divers can dive the pristine reefs around the island and also climb up and over into an extraordinary brackish water lake where thermals and an inquisitive lone barracuda offer a novel dive. Non-divers can use the kayaks to visit Coron Island with its giant limestone cliffs, sea caves, lagoons, inland lakes and possibly the Tagbanwa tribal people for whom Coron is a protected homeland of great spiritual significance. Take care not to land on any of the Tagbanwa's sacred sites, they are extremely shy of outsiders, refer to your guide for guidance. Overnight Kubo Sa Dagat, an unique lodge built on stilts over the water - far from the madding crowd!
Day 12: Coron Bay (B/L/D)
After breakfast, set off west for an island hopping experience with picnic lunch en route at Culion Island. In passing, snorkel or dive at some of the infamous Coron Wrecks, a fleet of Japanese shipwrecks sunk by the Americans during W.W.II. Arrive at North Kay for an overnight camp on a perfect atoll in the South China Sea.
Day 13: Sangat (B/L/D)
Island hopping back to Coron Bay via other tropical islets, and with more wreck snorkelling or diving en route. Full board and overnight at Kubo Sa Dagat.
Day 14: Busuanga - Manila (B/L/D)
Final morning of diving the wrecks, kayaking and snorkeling, or just enjoying the remarkable scenery. Then return to Busuanga Island and to the airport for the 90 minute flight by small plane back to Manila, ready to connect to your flight home.
ENDS
Meals as shown: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
Extensions can be arranged by request to all parts of the Philippines or to other parts of South East Asia.
Notes
Price quoted is based on minimum 4 people and may be subject to change.
