In terms of tourist attractions, Palawan is the ultimate Philippine’s pride. Sure, the country has other unique features — rice terraces hand-carved over mountainous landscapes, lumps of chocolate-colored hills, endless beaches and so on. Still, Palawan stands out.
Palawan has been recognized not just in its home country but globally as well. It has been included in the list of Best Islands in the World by Conde Nast Traveler readers and has been given similar awards by other online travel magazines.
If you’re interested in visiting, here are the top 10 things to do in Palawan, Philippines.
Top 10 Things to Do in Palawan, Philippines
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1. Island hop in Coron
Palawan’s Coron is one of my favorite places in the whole country, and it rightly deserves this spot. The islands in Coron have amazing nature sceneries and have a lot to offer — clear lakes, beaches, breath-taking underwater ocean life and a hot spring that sources its water from a volcano. It’s best to stay here for 5-6 days, at the very least but there are also one day tours available.
2. Island hop in El Nido
El Nido is the most famous destination in Palawan. It also offers island hopping activities, which includes beaches (including hidden and secret ones), sand bars and snorkeling spots. But the most visited and photographed spots in El Nido are its lagoons, which have clear green water enclosed in walls of years-old karsts.
About an hour away from the town proper in El Nido is the beautiful Nacpan Beach, which is also a must-see. Click here to book a tour to El Nido.
3. Be one of the first to discover Balabac
Balabac is one of the lesser-known places in Palawan, even among Philippine residents. In a way, it can still be considered a “secret.” Balabac is mainly a residential municipality, and its islands are undeveloped. It has some of the clearest, bluest, white-sand beaches in the country, and fresh seafood can be bought cheaply from local fishermen.
4. Dive in Tubbataha Reef
Palawan has great snorkeling and diving sites, and Tubbataha Reef takes the crown, CNN names it as one of the best diving sites in Asia, with clear water that makes it possible for the marine life to grow into large proportions. It’s perfect for scuba divers who are into diverse marine ecosystems. Diving season in Tubbataha Reef runs from March to June.
5. Tour the underground river in Puerto Princesa
The underground river in Puerto Princesa is one of the world’s 7 wonders. It’s a huge underwater cave system, with preserved stalactites and stalagmites and hidden waterfalls inside. Only a portion can be explored via tour boats, but it’s still a worthwhile activity especially for those who are fans of geological wonders of nature. Click here see prices for an underwater river day trip.
6. Firefly watching in Puerto Princesa
Firefly watching in Puerto Princesa is often seen as a romantic activity, but it can also be for those who’d like to get close with nature. It involves a short boat ride on Iwahig River to see fireflies dancing among mangrove trees, even growing planktons in the water, followed by a buffet dinner.
Firefly watching is a seasonal activity. It’s best to go on a firefly watching tour on a new moon, when the night sky is clear.
7. Dolphin watching in Puerto Princesa Bay
Dolphin watching is another seasonal activity in Puerto Princesa in Palawan, best availed during summer months from April to October. It’s a half day of watching dolphins in the wild do flip-flops, acrobatics or simple gliding in the water. Whales can also be seen during this tour.
8. Relax in Port Barton
While El Nido and Coron offer more activities and places to hang out to, Port Barton is relatively quieter and less crowded. Port Barton is for those who’re into beach bumming sans the tourist crowd. It also has snorkeling and diving sites, as well as waterfalls to explore. Click here to book a day trip in Port Barton from Puerto Princesa.
9. Explore the clear waters of Linapacan
Going to Linapacan Island is mainly for the adventurous. Although it has been cited as having the clearest water in the world, it is undeveloped. There’s limited to no tours in this area, although tourists can charter a private boat from local fisherman to see the islands. Linapacan is located between El Nido and Coron; it’s accessible via passenger boats going to and fro these two destinations.
10. Stay in a luxury resort
Palawan is home to some of the most exclusive island resorts in the country. If you’re into a lavish vacation, what’s a better way to spend it than in one of the world’s best islands? Some of the famous ones include Amanpulo, Huma Island Resort & Spa and Dos Palmas Island Resort & Spa. If glamping is more your style, you might like the new Binga Beach Resort.
Katherine and Hali are a Filipino couple traveling with a DSLR named Amelia and a GoPro named Nekomono. You can follow their adventures on their blog, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Planning a trip to Palawan? Click here to book your ground and sea transportation for the Philippines.
Looking for more places to visit in the Philippines? Make sure to check out our Southeast Asia Bucket List for travel inspiration.
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Island hopping is something I loved doing in Krabi. I would love to do it here as well.
Thanks for letting us guest post! Hopefully it can help your readers know more about Palawan. It’s more than just El Nido. 🙂
Looks beautiful. Balabac is gorgeous and how fun that it is still a local secret. Love little hidden gems.
I missed out on Palawan when I was in the Philippines last year. Reading this sure does reawaken my desire to check it out! If it stands out from the likes of the rice terraces and the chocolate hills, it sure does sound like a special place 🙂
Katherine – what a great list of things to do in Palawan. The scuba diving in the Tubbataha Reef looks unbelievably cool. Would love to just pack my stuff and go there right now. Yet, work life has the bad tendency to interrupt such dreams… 😉 Thanks for sharing!
Such a comprehensive and diverse list of great things to do. I would love to visit that underground river, plus see those fireflies and dolphins. Then, there is always island hopping and who doesn’t love that. Nice post. It sure is a beautiful spot.
This looks so beautiful
Ah!! amazing things to do. Yes, the dolphin seeing had interested me the most for it. That seems a great experience to go with. The places seem to be finest of all, with such water, chocolate colored hills etc.
Would love to wander with these ideas to Philippines.
Palawan is truly a spectacular and awe-inspiring place! I would love to visit it one day!
I’ve heard that Parawan is the most beautiful Island in Philipin from Philina before. As they told me, the picture of Parawan in your article is beautiful!!
Palawan is high on my list! It looks so beautiful and photogenic! One day I’ll make it and hopefully it won’t be too long! Thanks for the awesome suggestions of things to do!
Great ideas! I wish I knew about all these attractions when being there 🙂
The island hopping is a must do, and was absolutely the highlight for me when visiting El Nido.