El Nido Marine Reserve, Phillipines

Our accommodations are in seaside lodges and award-winning resorts, ideal places from which to explore majestic karst islands, hidden lagoons, and world-class snorkel sites.

Photo by Shannon Hastings

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Snorkeling and Sea Kayaking in Palawan

Whale Sharks and the Magical Underwater World of the Coral Triangle

Snorkeling and Sea Kayaking in Palawan route-map

Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $5195   see pricing
Length: 13 days
Arrive: Manila, Philippines
Depart: Manila, Philippines
Lodging: 12 nights in hotels and beach resorts describe
Meals: All meals included
Activity: Snorkeling, Wildlife & Natural History, Sea Kayaking
Trip Level: Snorkeling, easy sea kayaking on sit-on-top kayaks, 2-4 hours a day (no experience required), day hikes
3 explain

Highlights

  • Swim with whale sharks, the largest living fish species in the world
  • Paddle a sea kayak in secluded coves and beneath towering limestone cliffs
  • Snorkel pristine waters over vibrant coral reefs teeming with fish
  • Extend your trip to search for the gentle, nine-foot-long dugongs at Dimakya Island


The snorkeling was fantastic and we did just the right amount of sea kayaking.Vicki G.—Oakland CA

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

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

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

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.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extension:

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

 

Departures

May 6-17, 2014
May 20-31, 2014

Trip Cost

Prices are for 2013
$5195 (7-10 members)
$5395 (4-6 members)
Single supplement: $1650
Forced single supplement: $1450
Internal airfare: $595 (subject to change)
more on pricing

Extension Costs
Dimakya Island Extension
   from: $810

Trip Cost Includes:

  • Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local crew
  • Accommodations in hotels and beach resorts
  • All meals included
  • All land transportation (in air-conditioned vehicles) and banca boat transportation
  • Airport transfers in Manila for arrival on Day 1 and departure on Day 13
  • Entrance fees and service charges
  • Baggage handling; gratuities to hotel and restaurant staff
  • Sea kayaks, paddles, PFDs (life jackets), and all boat safety gear

Trip Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare; internal airfare; airport transfers for independent arrival or departure; international airport departure taxes; any meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure; hotels en route and any hotel nights that may be necessitated by airline schedule changes or other factors; optional tipping or gratuities to trip leader and local guide, boat captains, and drivers; snorkeling equipment; medical immunizations, travel insurance, passport and visa fees; items of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, telephone, etc.).

Trip Payment Schedule

At time of reservation: $500
120 days prior to departure: 20%
60 days prior to departure: Balance

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule*

Minimum fee: $250
46-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost
45 days or less: 100% of trip cost

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.

Dusit Thani Manila

Dusit Thani Manila

Day 1 (1 night),
Day 12 (1 night), Manila, Philippines

This large high-rise hotel enjoys a central location, within walking distance to shopping areas and other attractions. The hotel features several ...
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Elysia Beach Resort

Elysia Beach Resort

Days 2 to 3 (2 nights), Sorsogon, Philippines

Donsol has come a long way since its days as a provincial fishing village. This newly built 15-room beachside lodge is away from the crowds yet only ...
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Hotel Venezia

Hotel Venezia

Day 4 (1 night), Legazpi, Philippines

This solid 3-star hotel is newly remodeled and has all of the modern accessories you would expect. The food and services are exceedingly good. Most ...
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Miniloc Island Resort

Miniloc Island Resort

Days 5 to 8 (4 nights), Miniloc Island, El Nido Marine Reserve, Palawan, Philippines

Set in a beautiful cove of clear turquoise waters and framed by sheer limestone cliffs, the Miniloc Island Resort offers a peaceful “close to ...
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Apulit Island Resort

Apulit Island Resort

Days 9 to 11 (3 nights), Apulit Island, Palawan, Philippines

Apulit Island Resort is located on an unspoiled private island on the east side of Palawan. Overwater bungalows decorated with contemporary Filipino ...
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Extension Accommodations

If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions option:

Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extension:

Philippines

Dimakya Island Extension

Snorkeling and Extraordinary Wildlife Encounters

Snorkeling
4 days  -  Level 3

Client Comments

The snorkeling was fantastic and we did just the right amount of sea kayaking. Vicki G., Oakland CA I would easily repeat this trip...it was excellent! Karen S., Tesuque, NM Lee is very knowledgeable, pleasant, and easy to get along with. He’s also very passionate about the Palawan area and its wildlife. Scott and Heidi D., Grass Lake, MI Lee is an excellent guide and an enthusiastic and knowledgeable marine biologist. He has great people skills and is thoughtful and considerate to all the people he is responsible for. Bravo! Roslyn K., Oakland, CA
What an unbelievable treat it was to swim with the beautiful whale sharks off Donsol, kayak around magnificent islands like Pinagbuyutan, Lagen, and Miniloc just to name a few, snorkel in the gorgeous El Nido Marine Reserve, search for the Dugongs around Dimakya, and learn all that we did from our simply superb guide! Jill R., Sacramento, CA