Snorkeling and Sea Kayaking in Palawan

If the wonders of the underwater world capture your imagination, join us for a dream journey to remote Palawan, a stunning Philippine archipelago in the heart of the famed Indo-Pacific Coral Triangle, recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. With Trip Leader and marine biologist Lee Goldman, we discover a naturalist’s paradise of pristine beaches, soaring limestone cliffs, sea caverns, and miles of spectacular coral reefs teeming with jewel-bright fish and other exquisite sea creatures. World-class snorkeling, sea kayaking, and the unforgettable experience of swimming with whale sharks await us here. In the evenings, Lee shares informal talks on marine biology and coral reef conservation that offer us extraordinary insight into this fascinating realm.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-4
Manila, Philippines / Donsol / Whale Shark Encounters

From Manila, we set out for the tiny fishing village of Donsol, which has the largest number of recorded sightings of whale sharks anywhere in the world. From our beachside resort, we snorkel among shallow coral gardens in Donsol Bay, then head out by outrigger boat for a chance to swim among these gentle giants as they congregate in the shallow waters to feed on plankton. We also boat along the Ugod River to visit local fishing communities and head up the lush slopes of Mt. Mayon (8,077’) for views from the world’s most perfect stratovolcano.

Days 5-8
Palawan / El Nido Marine Reserve

The El Nido Marine Reserve is a little-visited ecological wonderland on the northwestern tip of Palawan. The reserve includes Bacuit Bay and its 45 majestic karst-limestone islands. From our beach lodge on Miniloc Island, we snorkel and kayak in pristine aquamarine waters that are a virtual aquarium of tropical fish, corals, and stately sea turtles. As we paddle our kayaks among the islands, we discover hidden lagoons and fantastic reefs, enjoy beautiful Pacific sunsets, and stargaze under a brilliant tropical sky. On some nights, we may try a night snorkel to search for nocturnal reef creatures.

Days 9-13
Apulit Island

Heading to the east side of Palawan gives us the opportunity to explore the Sulu Sea, the shallow waters between the main archipelago and Palawan. Here we snorkel the spectacular reefs that surround the island, many just minutes from our resort. One of our excursions is to Noa Noa, a small deserted island where we explore shallow reef flats and steep, sloping, fringing reefs that plummet into the crystal-clear blue waters. On neighboring Green Cake, a towering limestone island, we snorkel among shallow coral gardens to see rare and delicate species of coral. In the sea grass below, dugongs can sometimes be seen. Our home base here is the charming Apulit Island Resort, the only resort on this gorgeous island. Depart Day 13 via Manila.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is Level 3, Moderate. It is relaxed enough to allow ample time for photography, snorkeling, extra paddling, and beach combing. Days are spent paddling on “sit-on-top” kayaks, ideal for these crystal-clear turquoise waters, plus snorkeling, hiking to sites of interest, birdwatching, or swimming. On most days, we paddle for two to five hours, although usually not more than an hour at a time, interspersed with snorkeling and other activities. Our pace is leisurely, and there is always an extra guide to bring up the rear. You need not have done any previous kayaking. There is ample time for both scheduled snorkels and free snorkeling, and for the most part the water time is at your own pace. Anyone who wishes to spend more time snorkeling (rather than paddling) can go directly to our snorkel site via our support boat. On any given trip, it is impossible to predict what the weather will have in store and it often varies with each successive day. The Trip Leader will present each day's combination of paddling, snorkeling, and hiking activities based on the prevailing conditions. In general, we choose routes that are largely protected from high winds and strong currents.

Explanation of Trip Levels