Awesome Things to Do in Palawan

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You might be wondering why both Travel+Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler ranked Palawan as the world’s best island in 2013 and 2014 respectively. It wasn’t a recognition they made out of nowhere. It was due the fact that the island, or should I say this group of islands is, indeed, amazing. As a matter of fact, Palawan occupies two spots on UNESCO World Heritage site list and five more are still waiting for official inscription.

If you still doubt the rankings from these credible travel magazines, check this out. Below is the list of the awesome things you can do in Palawan.

Experience the Real-Life definition of “Enchanting” in Coron

Shipwreck diving, island hopping, snorkeling, beach bumming, swimming – name it, Coron can offer it all.

Kayangan Lake is the famous spot and so, you should not skip it. However, Kayangan will not complete it all. Snorkeling at Siete Picados, paddling across the Twin Lagoon and Barracuda Lake, taking a lunch at Banol Island, and spending a dip at Maquinit Hot Springs are must-experience.

If you have more to shell out, you can pay for a diving tour which explores shipwrecks in various locations. And, if you have more time to splurge, spend a night at Banana Island and explore the islands of Bulog and Malcapuya.

The Gateway to Kayangan Lake, Coron, Palawan

Find the Secret and Hidden Beaches and Lagoons in El Nido

Aside from the usual beach and lagoons we all know, El Nido has another two – there is secret and there is hidden. There is a spot called Secret Beach and there another called Hidden Beach. The same is true with the lagoons: secret, hidden, big and small.

Talisay Beach, Tapuitan Island, El Nido, Palawan

A lot of tour operators offers standard boat tours around El Nido. If you complete tours A, B, C, and D, you would probably say that you have explored a paradise.

Don’t worry for a place to stay, budget travellers and luxurious spenders have wide range of comfort spaces to choose from.

El Nido’s Small Lagoon

Hop and Swim in Honda Bay

If you stay in the Island’s capital, you don’t need to hop on a long drive to experience beauty. Honda Bay, which reside north of Puerto Princesa city proper, offers scenic shorelines and charming underwater communities.

A scene from Honda Bay (Photo by Herman Layos on Flickr)
Honda Bay, Palawan: A view from a departing plane from Puerto Princesa City

Explore the Massive Caverns of Puerto Princesa

Newly enlisted to the New 7 Wonders of Nature, the Puerto Princesa Underground River features a 8.2-km navigable underground river. A journey through its massive chambers is absolutely enchanting. You will witness how the walls and ceilings of the cavern shimmers like crystals when struck with a spotlight.

Puerto Princesa Underground River is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and a natural park that is protected under the Philippine law.

When visiting the park, expect an encounter with various species of reptiles and mammals.

Puerto Princesa Underground River (Photo by Shankar S on Flickr)

Complete the Stroll along San Vicente’s Long Beach

How about beach bumming a 14-kilometer strip of white beach? The mildly interrupted stretch of Long Beach in San Vicente is underdeveloped making it a good place for beach campers. You can pitch a tent or hung a hammock to any spot you deem slack, relax, and allow the sun to traverse the horizon.

Yoske of ThePoorTraveler.net has one good story in his blog.

Spend a Moment of Seclusion at Balabac

If the solitude and isolation at the Long Beach isn’t enough for you, then experience some moments of seclusion at Balabac. There is Punta Sebaring which you can virtually own and Onuk Island where you can spend some intimate moments with your friends and loved ones.

If you want to know more about what else you can do at the southernmost tip of Palawan, check the interesting stories of BlissfulGuro.

Get Introduced to New Friends at Tubbataha Reef

Tubbataha Reef is a diver’s haven and a favorite spot among marine enthusiasts. It is one of the most mega diverse locations in the world with more than 600 fish species, 360 coral species, 11 shark species, 13 dolphin and whale species, and 100 bird species.

The municipality of Cagayancillo, also in Palawan, has the political sovereignty over this atoll.

Tubbataha Reef: A World Heritage Site (Photo by Q Phia on Flickr)

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40 Replies to “Awesome Things to Do in Palawan”

  • This place is so wonderful. Truly, it is more fun in the Philippines! Hope to visit thi8s place too soon… 🙂

  • wow.. i would love to experience that too… nice place.. i seems like you are in paradise…

  • Thank you for your nicest place in palawan … someday makakapunta din ako dyan with my family …

  • hindi pa ako nakapunta ng palawan , but i’m sure someday makakapunta din ako sa Palawan para ma-explore ko lahat ng magagandang tanawin … at hindi lang ako ang pupunta for sure , kasama ko ang buong Family ko …

  • I love to be back at Palawan… hopefully soon.. i love it there so much, so realxing

  • grabe! sa picture pa lang ang ganda na super wow.. sana merong malapit lang sa metro manila ng ganyang scenery hayz

  • Your pictures are quite tempting me to go ahead and book a flight going to Palawan! 😀

  • Oh my! If only Palawan is a 5 minute ride away but hoping to enjoy and see the Palawan for real with my family! Soon!

  • Wow!My family always dream of setting foot in Palawan!
    Hope to be able to experience its grandeur, and explore its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich biodiversity.

  • Its nice and great to see the beautiful palawan on freedom wall blogs page. I want to go there to experience the natural beauty of palawan. Palawan is nice place and perfect for travel adventure with your family, friends and loveones

  • Palawan is my dream summer destination with my friends and family. I want to go there to experience the most exciting and extremely adventure trip at palawan.I truly love freedomwall.net because this is the best blogs ever that i really enjoy and got excitement for the great adventure, beautiful views and natural resources in the philippines and also around the world that you share to us. Thumps up Freedom Wall

  • Yay! Honestly, Palawan is on my top list to visit in the near future. Just looking at those pics makes me want to go there right away lol. It is really paradise for me.

  • I’ve been wanting to visit El Nido but accomodation are to steep for our budget. We’ll be visiting Bohol on Dec, and hopefully El Nido will be next on our list 🙂

  • Nice post! I’ve been to El Nido before and the experience was just amazing! Though we only stayed for one day. I hope I could go back and explore Palawan more.

  • I’ve been dreaming of visiting Palawan. Coron and Honda Bay are so appealing.

  • Sigh, we will visit when our youngest can walk and appreciate traveling more.She’s almost 5 months so no beach and caves for us yet.

  • Went to Coron and I fell in love with Malcapuya. We’re planning to get married there when and if we can.

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