Snorkeling and Sea Kayaking in Palawan

Isolated in the southwestern Philippine Archipelago is Palawan, a stunning island-province surrounded by the crystalline waters of the Indo-Pacific Coral Triangle. With its amazing biodiversity, including 232 endemic species, Palawan has been recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. World-class snorkeling, sea kayaking, and the unforgettable experience of swimming with whale sharks and endangered dugongs await us here. As we explore amid soaring limestone cliffs, secret lagoons, and spectacular coral reefs teeming with jewel-bright fish, Trip Leader and marine biologist Lee Goldman will offer an ongoing—and fascinating—natural history class through informal talks on coral reef conservation and underwater life. If the wonders of the aquatic world capture your imagination, join us for this incredible journey!

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-3
Manila, Philippines / Donsol / Whale Shark Encounters

From Manila, we head to the fishing village of Donsol, known to have the largest numbers of recorded sightings of whale sharks anywhere in the world. The highest concentrations occur in spring, and we’ve timed our trips accordingly. Heading out into the bay by outrigger boat, we have a chance to see—and swim with—these gentle giants as they congregate in shallow coral gardens to feed on plankton. We also enjoy hikes on the lush slopes of Mt. Mayon (8,077’), the world’s most perfect stratovolcano.

Days 4-9
Palawan / El Nido Marine Reserve / Manila

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. From a series of lovely tented camps, we paddle leisurely among sheer-walled isles and discover hidden lagoons and fantastic reefs where we snorkel in pristine aquamarine waters—a kaleidoscope of tropical fish, corals, and sea turtles (the green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, and olive ridley turtle all inhabit these waters). We also explore glorious white-sand beaches and hike to island summits and cathedral-like caves. Our tented camps have wonderful amenities, including an airy screened tent for dining. Beautiful Pacific sunsets, delicious meals, and stargazing under a brilliant tropical sky are among our island enchantments. On Day 9, we overnight in Manila en route to Dimakya Island.

Days 10-13
Dimakya Island / Dugong Encounters

A coral jewel set in an emerald sea, Dimakya Island is a lovely hideaway and a wonderful place for our grand finale. Dimakya’s rich, grassy seabed is an ideal feeding ground for the endangered dugong (a cousin of the manatee), and here we can swim with these mysterious, nine-foot-long creatures in the wild. Crystal-clear waters allow for great visibility on our snorkeling outings, with a biodiversity including giant clams, sea sponges, huge coral beds, stingrays, manta rays, and swirling throngs of multi-colored tropical fish. We may also try a night snorkel to search for nocturnal reef creatures. Overnights are in beachfront cottages at the island’s tranquil resort. Depart Day 13 via Manila.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated a 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. There is ample time for both scheduled snorkels and free snorkeling, and for the most part the water time is at your own pace. You need not have done any previous kayaking. On any given trip, however, 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