Whale Sharks, Dugongs, and the Magical Underwater World of the Coral Triangle

Snorkeling & Kayaking the Isles of Palawan

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If the wonders of the underwater world capture your imagination, join us for this dream journey to the Philippines’ Bay of Donsol and Palawan, a remote and little visited archipelago in the famed Indo-Pacific “Coral Triangle,” the world’s most biologically diverse marine region. With Trip Leader and marine biologist Lee Goldman, we discover a naturalist’s paradise of pristine beaches and soaring limestone cliffs, surrounded by miles of spectacular coral reefs teeming with jewel-bright fish, graceful rays, and other exquisite sea creatures. We snorkel and sea kayak these inviting waters, with opportunities to swim with whale sharks and the endangered dugongs that graze in Palawan’s bountiful sea grass beds. Our daily adventures are enhanced by lectures on marine biology, natural history, and coral reef conservation.

Below is an Itinerary-in-Brief. To view a complete Detailed Itinerary, Download Full Itinerary or Email our Area Specialist

Itinerary-in-Brief

Days 1-3
Manila / Donsol / Whale Shark Encounters

From Manila, we head to the coastal fishing village of Donsol, known to have the largest numbers of recorded sightings of whale sharks in the world. The highest concentrations occur in spring of each year, and from our beachside resort, we snorkel among shallow coral gardens and in the bay, and may see these gentle giants congregating in the shallow waters to feed on plankton. We also take easy hikes around a base camp on Mt. Mayon (8,077') to view the world’s most perfect stratovolcano.

Days 4-9
Islands of El Nido / Palawan

On the northwestern tip of Palawan lies the remote ecological wonderland of Bacuit Bay, part of the vast El Nido Marine Reserve. The bay, sprinkled with enchanting karst-limestone islands, is an ideal venue for sea kayaking. We paddle among them to discover hidden lagoons and fantastic reefs where we snorkel in pristine aquamarine waters—a virtual aquarium of tropical fish, corals, and sea turtles. We also explore glorious white sand beaches and hike to island summits and mysterious caves. Our overnights are at a series of lovely beachside camps.

Days 10-13
Dimakya Island / Dugong Encounters

The isle of Dimakya is our base for a grand finale of snorkeling. The waters here are home to giant clams, sea sponges, huge coral beds, and a multitude of fish, and the seabed is an ideal feeding ground for the endangered dugong (sea cow). We take two full days to swim with these amazing creatures in the wild. As we snorkel, the clear waters allow for great visibility of the myriad marine species, including sharks, sting rays, and manta rays. In between, we can relax at our island resort. Depart Day 13 via Manila.

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Tour Costs $4495 (8-9 members) $4795 (7 members) $4995 (5-6 members) Single supplement: $495 Internal airfare: $495 (subject to change) Prices are for 2009 dates **Airfare is not included in Tour Cost unless indicated

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