Philippines Canoeing & Kayaking
Choose where you sleep
- Coco Beach
- Pandan Island Resort
- Sangat Island Reserve
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. This is an ideal trip for divers and non-divers together.
Our transport will be traditional outrigger "bancas" (pictured below) and flamboyant "jeepneys" as we hop from one Robinson Crusoe hideaway to the next.
Our first stop will be Puerto Galera 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 to 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 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. 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.
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.
How this holiday makes a difference
Coco Beach Resort, Pandan Island Resort and Sangat Island Reserve all run proactive programmes to protect their coral reefs and natural environments, and promote environmental responsibility amongst the local people. Coco Beach is a community based operation which engages local families who will be your hosts at the resort.
Day 1: Arrive Manila. 
Day 2: Manila - Puerto Galera (B). 
Check into your accommodation, all built from natural materials and decorated with local arts and crafts. For 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 neighboring beaches of Small La Laguna, Big La Laguna and Sabang - the hub of night time activity.
Four full days to enjoy the beach, dive, snorkel, kayak, go mountain biking or simply sun & swim. You could explore inland where the Mangyan tribal people live a very traditional, simple existence of swidden farming in the hills.
Day 7: Puerto Galera - Pandan Island (B/L/D). 
Day 8: Pandan Island (B/L/D). 
Day 9: Pandan Island (B/L/D). 
Days 11-13: Coron Bay: Sangat Island Reserve (B/L/D). 
kayaking or snorkelling over the kaleidoscopic reefs, or join any of the complimentary excursions being offered by the resort each day. Private trips away from the island can also be arranged - there are always boats available. And what is the best thing after an active day in Paradise? A nice relaxing Massage. On request you can also have a native physiotherapeutical treatment.
A Symbiosis favourite, Coco Beach is located on its own private beach in a cove wrapped by steep, richly forested hills. Construction is entirely from renewable, native materials - coconut wood, bamboo and nipa palm thatch - that blend perfectly into the natural environment.
Coco Beach Island Resort is staffed by local families from the Puerto Galera area all of whom have a stake in the resort's success, and this all helps to contribute to the cozy ambience and uniquely Filipino style. This is a happy place. What it loses in professionalism it more than makes up for in charm.
Although the huts are made entirely of native materials, Coco Beach's Danish and Filipino owners have incorporated many contemporary touches to make it comfortable. All rooms have their own private shower and toilet.
Coco Beach Divers, the in house dive centre, is well equipped with up to date Scubapro and Seaquest dive gear for rent. There is a large area for equipment wash-off and an area for safekeeping, class/video room, etc.
Library: a small selection of books, mostly love novels. 
Banana Deluxe House
Bungalow / Old Classic Deluxe
Suite Room
Standard Room 
At a glance::
Room Types : Several different kids of rooms including private chalets with panoramic views to the sea, family rooms, air-con rooms high on the hill behind the beach
Pandan Island is a private resort island located on the west side of Mindoro / Philippines. Facing the South China Sea, halfway on the coastal road between Mamburao and San Jose, lays the small fishing town of Sablayan. Off its coast, only a twenty minutes boat ride away, is Pandan Island, a 12 ha big tropical island. Having been uninhabited for many years, this paradise was "discovered" by a French adventurer, who established Pandan Island Resort in 1986.
All bungalows are built in native materials, like coconut lumber, bamboo, sawali, cogon grass to let them blend easily into their tropical surroundings. Care has been taken to provide a simple yet comfortable atmosphere with a maximum of privacy for all who need to get away from hectic life. Each house has its private gecko ( lat. gecko gecko) that is said to bring good luck to the house it inhabits. The bungalows are built directly by the sea separated from the beach only by palm trees and / or bougainvillea bushes.
On Pandan Island you can choose between three different types of accommodation:
Standard Bungalows come in different styles that reflect the changes that Pandan Island Resort has undergone in the last 13 years. Whereas the earlier bungalows were mostly built on posts 'Single two' is a good example of this earlier period, the more recent house are more 'on the ground' with a solid concrete foundation. All the bungalows have plenty of space around them and are facing the sea. All bungalows have their own shower and toilet and the two mezzanine bungalow have a second floor with a second bed - ideal for families with kids or couples with quarrels.
The budget room - The Budget Rooms or ' the Bronx' as they are know by the insiders provide comfortable and affordable accommodation for travelers that are on a budget or people that spend all their time outdoors (or underwater). The five rooms share two bathrooms and two toilets, located on each side of the building. Like all the other bungalows on Pandan Island, also the budget rooms are directly on the beach, facing the South China Sea.
For your small appetite short orders like spaghettis, burgers, sandwiches , soups or salads are available during the day. Being under French management, there is always a selection of white and red wines available.
Sangat Island Reserve is located on a strip of brilliant white sand beach backed by towering karts limstone cliffs in Coron Bay, Northern Pawan, The Philippines. Right in front of the resort is one of the many Japanese WWII shipwrecks that litter this group of islands known as the Calamian Group, providing some of the philippines most exhilarating scuba diving.
The resort has ten exclusive, individual cottage-style accommodations, all based on local architectural style and using local materials. All cottages offer exquisite views over the beach and Bay of Coron. Full decks on the cottages provide lovely views of the horizon in the day and the stars at night.
All cottages offer full bathroom and shower facilities and sleeping accommodations for up to three people. Designed and built according to the pattern utilized by the local peoples, only local materials are used by master craftsmen from the neighboring islands to build our cottages. In order to minimize damage to the ground cover, all cottages are built on stilts with overhanging decks for daytime relaxation. All cottages also have hammocks.
Sangat Island Reserve also has a wide variety of boats available for use. Our boats are designed and built by local craftsmen and can be used by the guest for a variety of activities. Boats, in fact, provide for all the logistics on the island as Sangat Island, ringing with limestone cliffs, is very difficult to traverse unless one is traveling by sea.For the real nature lovers who want the privacy of their own beach with the most exotic surrounding, Sangat Island Reserve now has available for rental a beautiful native style villa.
Sangat Island Reserve's beach-side restaurant offers international cuisine served buffet style. You will always be served a combination of fresh seafood delicacies and meats, vegetables, salads and fruits. Most of the foods are caught or picked on the day served. An emphasis on freshness and health are the objectives of the local Chef. All meals are buffet style with a wide variation of cooking styles from east to west.
At the bar you can taste exotic cocktails, international wines or the famous local San Miguel beer. The closing hour is up to our guests.The natural white beaches of Sangat and surrounding islands, crystal blue and fresh water lakes of nearby Coron Island provide a wide variety of exquisite swimming opportunities for children and adults.
Name : Sangat Island Reserve
