Palawan Multi-Day Tours: Puerto Princesa, El Nido & Coron Island Hopping
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
3–5 days
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness—comfortable walking, short hikes, and basic swimming ability for snorkeling required.
Overview
A multi-day route through Palawan that stitches Puerto Princesa’s city and Underground River with El Nido’s lagoons and Coron’s wrecks. Expect boat transfers, island-hopping, snorkeling and a mix of cultural stops across 3–5 days.
Palawan Multi-Day Tours: Puerto Princesa, El Nido & Coron Island Hopping
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You step off a humid van in Puerto Princesa with salt on your lips and limestone cliffs in the distance like weathered fortresses. A local guide hands you a cold bottle, points toward the pier and outlines the next days: a city tour, a boat ride through Sabang’s underground river, and island-hopping that stitches together El Nido’s towering karsts with Coron’s wartime wrecks. The air smells of diesel and grilled fish; a motor banca hums like a patient animal, ready to pull you between islands.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Book Underground River in advance
Permits and boat slots for the Puerto Princesa Underground River are limited—reserve early and avoid planning it on your arrival day.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen
Use biodegradable sunscreen and avoid touching coral to protect fragile reefs during snorkeling stops.
Wear water shoes
Many beaches and boat landings have jagged coral or slippery rocks—lightweight water shoes prevent cuts and slips.
Plan for boat motion
If you’re prone to seasickness, take medication an hour before boarding—inter-island rides can be choppy, especially in open channels.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Philippine long-tailed macaque
- Green sea turtle
History
Palawan’s limestone karsts are ancient reef deposits; Coron’s lagoons and bays also contain WWII shipwrecks that later became artificial reefs.
Conservation
Many islands are inside marine protected areas—practice no-touch snorkeling, avoid single-use plastics, and follow local reef protection rules.
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Adventure Hotspots in Puerto Princesa
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Snorkel mask and fins
Brings better visibility and mobility for reef and lagoon snorkeling.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects skin while minimizing harm to coral ecosystems.
summer specific
Lightweight rain jacket
Useful for sudden tropical downpours during transfers or island stops.
wet-season specific
Water shoes
Protects feet on rocky shorelines and during boat landings.