19/10/2020
Balabac, Palawan after COVID-19 pandemic? G! ๐ต๐ญ
๐๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ป ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐น ๐๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ
- Balabac, Palawan is touted as the "Philippines Last of the Last Frontier" and is situated in the southwesternmost tip of Palawan. It is much closer to Sabah, Malaysia compared to Puerto Princesa City.
- It is composed of a group of 31 islands and islets and has one of the best sandbars, torquise blue waters and pristine beaches. It is a secluded paradise with unparalleled beauty.
๐๐ข๐ช ๐ง๐ข ๐๐๐ง ๐ง๐๐๐ฅ๐:
Via Plane from Manila/Clark/Cebu/Iloilo/Davao/Busuanga to Puerto Princesa City:
You can book your tickets from major airlines (Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Air Asia, Royal Air) as it flies daily directly to Puerto Princesa International Airport. Travel time can take 1-2 hours.
Via Ferry from Manila to Puerto Princesa City:
- 2Go Ferry (St. Agustin of Hippo) plies from Manila to Puerto Princesa City weekly (every Friday and departs at 7pm). You can take this ferry and travel for almost 30-32 hours. This ferry has a layover for a few hours in Coron then sails directly to Puerto Princesa City.
Additional Tips:
-Take advantage of your student/PWD discounts. Just present a valid ID.
For DIY you can do the following upon arrival at PPS Airport :
- Hire a Tricycle going to San Jose Terminal (50-100 pesos) or alternatively you can take a multicab/jeepney outside the airport (10 pesos).
- There are two major gateways or entries going to Balabac Mainland its either you take the Buliluyan Port or Rio Tuba Port. For DIY, it is highly recommended to take the latter as it is the easiest way and has a scheduled public boats that are operational daily.
Note:
You can take the Buliluyan Port as your entry if you are in a big group as it has private boats at the port area where you can charter for your island hopping.
- Upon arrival at San Jose Terminal, catch a van/bus (350-500 pesos per head) going to Rio Tuba then ask the driver to drop you at Rio Tuba Port - alternatively you can take a tricycle going here from the town. There is no exact time for departure for this trip as it depends on the volume of passengers and the travel time is 5-6 hours.
Bus/Van Scheduled Trip:
( PPS to Rio Tuba / 4:00 AM to 7:00 PM)
( Rio Tuba to PPS / 4:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
- If you arrive in Rio Tuba in the late afternoon/evening, better look for accommodation and spend the night in town. Wait for the next day to take a public boat going to Balabac Mainland.
- Public Boats to Balabac Mainland is limited so better to secure your slot as early as possible. There is no exact departure of this boats as it depends on how fast it will be loaded with passengers. ( 370-400 pesos per head)
Public Boat Scheduled Trip:
( Rio Tuba to Balabac Mainland / 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM)
( Balabac Mainland to Rio Tuba / 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
- Upon arrival at Balabac Mainland, charter a private boat for 7000-15000 pesos depends on how many days and how many people are in the group.
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
Day 0 Arrival at Puerto Princesa City Airport then Check in at PPS Hotel
Day 1
3:30 AM ETD to Buliluyan Port/ Pick Up at PPS Hotel
8:30 AM ETA at Buliluyan Port
9:00 AM Start of Balabac Island Hopping
Destinations :
-Canimiran Island
-Patonggong Island
-Patawan Island
-Mansalangan Sandbar
-Manta Sandbar l
5:00 PM Back to Balabac Mainland then Check in at Balabac Hostel/ Homestay
Day 2
7:00 AM Start of Balabac Island Hopping
Destinations :
-Nasubata Island
-Onok Island
-Candaraman Island
-Candamaran Starfish Sandbar
5:00 PM Back to Balabac Mainland then dinner and rest
Day 3
7:00 AM Start of Balabac Island Hopping
Destinations :
-Punta Sebaring Island
-Braggie Mangrove Sandbar
-Canibungan Island
-Timbayan Rock Formation
-Sicsican Island
5:00 PM Back to Balabac Mainland then dinner and rest
Day 4
7:00 AM Start of Balabac Island Hopping
Destinations :
-Camiaran Island
-Lost Island
-Twin Coconut Beach
5:00 PM Back to Balabac Mainland then dinner and rest
Day 5
7:00 AM Start of Balabac Island Hopping
Destinations :
-Melville Lighthouse
-Submarine Sandbar "Secret Spot"
5:00 PM Back to Balabac Mainland then dinner and rest
Day 6
7:00 AM Travel Back to Rio Tuba Port
11:00 AM ETA at Rio Tuba Port then Van Transfer to Puerto Princesa City
5:00 PM ETA at Puerto Princesa City then you may proceed to PPS Airport for Departure back to Manila
๐ง๐๐ฃ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐:
-For hassle-free travel you may contact Sir Motet Sanson of Kamp Malaya Balabac Island Tours. He will be the one to arrange all your island hoppings, van transfers, and hotel accommodation. He will arrange your itinerary also if you are having a problem or doubts about it. Just don't forget to ASK and he will help you on it.
-Alot an extra day before your scheduled trip in Balabac, if you are taking a JOINER TOUR.
-For your itinerary, you can choose what islands you want to visit depending on the length of your travel trip. Sir Motet can customize it for you. (Applicable only for a private tour)
-For JOINER TOURS there will be a standard itinerary for the whole group, but if you wish to customize it better take the PRIVATE TOUR which is minimum of 6 pax to avail.
- During our travel, we were lucky to experience the island life by camping and sleeping only on tents. We stayed in Candaraman Island and Twin Coconut Beach. If you wish to experience this too you may ask Sir Motet regarding this if it still possible. You can also try to spend your night on private islands like Onok Island which is relatively expensive.
-There is no stable signal of major networks like SMART, GLOBE, TM and SUN CELLULAR in most islands. But it has a good connection in Balabac Mainland.
- When you are in Balabac Mainland, try to shop for Malaysian Goods for Pasalubongs.
- Balabac has an enormous reported cases of Malaria so better bring insect repellants for protection of mosquitoes and sand flies.
- Balabac has a rich marine biodiversity, if you are a fan of diving, it is better to bring your own snorkeling and diving gears and equipments as there are no dive shop in Balabac Mainland that you can rent out.
- For cheaper travel trip experience in Balabac, you may choose to book for JOINER TOURS on trusted travel agencies and operators just like KAMP MALAYA BALABAC TOUR OPERATOR. This can go for 8,500 - 15,000 pesos per head for 3 to 5 Days Travel Trip. This is highly recommended for solo travelers or if you are 2-5 pax in a group.
MY EXPERIENCE
- Balabac, Palawan has been my top island destination ever since I've read about it and know it from other travelers. I've been a big fan of offbeat places and raw beauty. As soon as I was invited by Sandy of Lost Juan together with Miko Tiotangco for an expedition in Balabac, I didn't hesitate to join.
Balabac, Palawan has been known also because it has been making noise on news for wild and huge crocodiles sightings over the island and sometimes death of several fishermen and residents due to its territorial aggressiveness. With this fact, many travelers have been afraid to go and visit this place.
So one of the frequently asked questions for me is that - is it safe to travel here?
Yes, it's definitely worth to go and explore this hidden gem. It's safe as long as you are guided by trusted locals here. Balabac will surely mesmerize you with its world class beauty!
๐๐ข๐ก๐ง๐๐๐ง๐ฆ:
Kamp Malaya Balabac Tour Operator
SIR MOTET SANSON
09393637676 / 09157340809
- Let's connect on Instagram
www.instagram.com/footlockerwanderer
