My Ultimate Balabac Palawan Travel Guide: What I Loved & Everything You Need to Know (2025)

Balabac is a group of small, remote islands in the far south of Palawan and honestly, it’s one of my favorite places in the Philippines.

The islands I visited on that trip were absolutely stunning: untouched, remote, lined with palm trees, white sand, and amazing turquoise waters. I spent four days exploring the area, and it was 100% worth it.

But when I tried to research Balabac beforehand, how to get there, what tours to take, what the islands are actually like, I struggled to find good info. Compared to places like El Nido or Coron, the tourism infrastructure here just isn’t as developed yet.

So I’ve put together this full travel guide to Balabac, with everything I personally would’ve wanted to know before booking. This is based on my experience, what I loved, and what you should expect if you’re planning to go in 2025.

In a Rush? Here Are Our Top Hotels in Puerto Princesa Philippines

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Balai Princesa – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️⭐️ Panja Resort – Click here for rates & availability

⭐️ Hibiscus Garden Resort – Click here for rates & availability

My Balabac Palawan Travel Guide: What I Loved & Everything You Need to Know (2025)

Balabac Palawan Travel Guide – My Experience

My experience in Balabac was a bit mixed, to be honest. Some of that might’ve been down to my own expectations going in, but I think it’s important to be really clear about what you’re signing up for.

Balabac is very basic. You’re camping on beaches with no proper toilets, no real showers, no mattresses, just the essentials. Even the boats are pretty barebones.

That said, I still had an incredible time. The nature in Balabac is absolutely incredible, truly unlike anything I’d seen before. But it only becomes magical if you’re prepared for how rough around the edges the setup is.

I joined a tour through The Balabac Girl (that’s her handle on Instagram), and she really did her best to make sure everyone had a great time. Her tours are one of the few that actually include an overnight stay on Onok Island, which was hands down the highlight for me. Snorkeling with turtles there was something I’ll never forget.

But there were also things that didn’t sit right with me. The tourism infrastructure in Balabac feels really underdeveloped and poorly regulated. The campsite we stayed at was chaoticw with only two toilets for what felt like 200 people, tents crammed together, and quite a bit of plastic and rubbish around.

There was a big birthday celebration going on that night, so maybe that added to the mess, but still… For the price people are paying, I do think things like trash removal and basic facilities should be better managed.

I get that it’s remote, and I don’t expect luxury, but I do think there’s a lot of room for improvement when it comes to how tourism is handled here.

Balabac Island Philippines – What to Expect

As I already mentioned above, Balabac is a group of super remote islands in the far south of Palawan, Philippines. And the only way to visit them, since most of them are private, is by joining a tour.

These tours usually offer an all-inclusive package that covers transport from and to Puerto Princesa, accommodation, food, island hopping, and everything else you’ll need.

The islands themselves are stunning: crystal-clear water, white sand beaches, endless palm trees, coconuts, and some of the best snorkeling I’ve ever done. The experience of exploring these different islands was honestly incredible. My personal highlight and something I won’t ever forget was snorkeling with turtles in the shallow waters of Onok Island.

But I want you to know that compared to something like the El Nido to Coron expeditions, this is definitely a more basic setup. We slept in tents, it was hot, there were mosquitoes, we were salty and sweaty all day, no proper showers, very simple toilets. It all worked, but it was roughing it for sure. After three nights, I was absolutely ready for a proper hotel bed, air-con, and a real shower.

That said, I still had a great time. You just need to know what you’re signing up for: absolutely beautiful nature, a raw and off-the-beaten-path Philippines experience, but expect basic beach camping, not a luxury escape.

How to Get to Balabac Palawan

I wanted to include this in the guide because it’s the question I got the most from you guys, how do you actually get to Balabac?

Well, like I mentioned above, you can’t visit the Balabac Islands independently. You need to book a tour. It works a bit like the El Nido to Coron expeditions: the tour includes your accommodation, food, and transport to and from Puerto Princesa.

I spent the night before the tour in Puerto Princesa at a hotel called Hibiscus Garden Resort which was super cute, by the way, and then got picked up at 3 AM (yes, brutal) by the shuttle.

That early pickup is what got us to the southern tip of Palawan and onto the ferry by 10 AM, so we still had most of the day to enjoy Balabac. I was definitely half-asleep that first day, but I managed to nap in the van on the way down, which helped a bit.

The Best Balabac Palawan Tour (From My Experience)

Booking a Balabac tour and figuring out which one is actually the best is a bit tricky. Even after doing loads of research and having done the tour myself, I’m still not 100% sure what the best option is. But I’ll try my best to break it down for you.

The thing is, depending on which tour or company you book with, your accommodation, campsite location, and even the itinerary can be completely different. So here’s what I learned.

The Wander Walker

This is the tour company I originally wanted to go with, but they didn’t have availability for the dates I needed. From what I found online, though, they seem to be the most professional and established operator. They have the best reviews, a solid online presence, and seem to be super popular among international tourists and backpackers.

If I ever go again, I’d probably book with them. The campsite looks great, and everything about their setup seems a bit more organized and put-together, at least based on reviews and their website.

Price per Person: PHP 15,000 (around USD 260)

👉 Click here to check out The Wander Walker

The Balabac Girl

This is who I actually booked my Balabac tour with. Her handle is @thebalabacgirl on Instagram, and she organizes 4-day, 3-night island hopping tours.

Overall, I had a good experience. She provided high-quality snorkel gear (definitely better than most other companies), and the tour includes an overnight stay on Onok Island, which, for me, was the highlight of the trip. That alone is a big selling point.

That said, many of the issues I mentioned earlier, like the poor campsites, bad showers and toilets, and a bit of disorganization, were part of this tour as well. I’m not sure if other tours do it better, or if the campsites across the board are just very basic.

Price per Person: PHP 15,000 (around USD 260)

👉 Click here to check out The Balabac Girl

Balabac Island Hopping Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival and Island Hopping

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
2–3 AM – Early pick-up from your hotel in Puerto Princesa
9 AM – Arrival at Port Buliluyan
Island hopping to Patowan Island
Island hopping to Tangkahan Island
Overnight stay on Canibungan Island

Day 2 – Onok Island Excursion

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Snorkeling at Nasubata Reef
Swim with sea turtles
Stop by the Giant Clam Sanctuary
Overnight stay on Onok Island

Day 3 – Sandbar and Sea Adventure

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Manta Sandbar
Visit Starfish Sandbar
Island hopping to Candaraman Island
Overnight stay on Canibungan Island

Day 4 – Departure

Meal: Breakfast
6–7 AM – Pack up and head out
2–3 PM – Arrival back in Puerto Princesa

Where to Stay in Balabac

I’m including this section because a lot of you have asked me where to stay in Balabac and my answer is usually the same: it doesn’t really work like that.

You can’t just book a hotel and go. Balabac is only accessible via an organized island hopping tour, and your accommodation is always included in the tour package. Depending on which operator you choose, both the campsite location and setup can vary.

I spent two nights on Canibungan Island in an upgraded tent. Instead of a basic two-person igloo-style setup, I got a slightly bigger tent I could actually stand in, which was definitely worth the extra cost. I also spent one night on Onok Island, where I stayed in a regular small tent.

That was with the tour company I went with (Balabac Girl). I know other companies like The Wander Walker offer wooden beach huts too. They might look a bit sturdier and nicer in photos, but I’ve stayed in a similar hut before and honestly, the air circulation can be awful. It gets super hot at night and there’s not much airflow. So I’m not totally convinced they’re the better option.

Best Time to Visit Balabac Palawan

In my opinion, the best time to visit Balabac is definitely during Palawan’s dry season, which usually runs from December to late April. I know that sounds obvious, of course you want good weather, but from experience, I want to stress how important really good weather is here.

During my 4 days in Balabac, I had two days of perfect sunshine and blue skies, and it was incredible.

But I also had one day that was overcast with some rain, and honestly, it kind of ruined the vibe. Everything in Balabac is about beaches, boat trips, and water, so when it rains, there’s not much you can enjoy.

And even when it’s just cloudy, the beaches and underwater spots don’t look half as nice. The color of the water, the sand, the marine life, everything just pops when the sun is out.

So yeah, go during dry season, but also try to avoid the Christmas and Easter holidays (Holy Week), because that’s when local tourism spikes and things get crowded. If you can make it, I’d say January or February is the best time to visit Balabac Palawan.

What to Bring to Balabac Philippines

Balabac is remote, like really remote, so you’ll want to come prepared. Here’s what I recommend packing:

Mosquito repellent: Bring a lot. The mosquitoes can be intense, especially around dusk. The brand Off! is easy to find in the Philippines and works great.
Sunscreen: You’ll be out snorkeling and island hopping all day, so bring a strong reef-safe sunscreen to protect your skin (and the coral).
Swimwear and beach gear: Obviously, but bring at least two sets of swimwear, flip-flops, a quick-dry towel, and a lightweight cover-up or sarong.
Dry bag: Super helpful to keep your phone, cash, and electronics dry during boat rides.
Power bank: Charging spots are limited, and electricity can be spotty. A high-capacity power bank is a lifesaver.
Flashlight or headlamp: The islands are dark at night, and some bathrooms are outside or not well lit.
Snacks and extra water: Most multi-day tours provide meals, but having your own water and snacks (especially for in-between meals or picky eaters) is a good idea.
Rehydration salts or electrolyte powder: Useful for long days in the sun or if you get an upset stomach.
Basic meds: Bring painkillers, antihistamines, and something for an upset stomach, there are no pharmacies on the islands.
Cash: There are no ATMs in Balabac. Bring enough pesos for tips, fees, and any unexpected costs.
Eco-friendly toiletries: Bring biodegradable soap/shampoo if you can. You’ll often be bathing close to the ocean.

Optional but handy:

Mask and snorkel: Most tours provide them, but if you have your own and want a better fit, bring it.
Small waterproof pouch for your phone: Perfect for boat rides and sandbar selfies without worrying.

Balabac or El Nido to Coron

After doing both, here’s my honest take: if you can do both, go for it since they’re completely different experiences in pretty much every way.

Balabac feels way more remote. You’re hopping between tiny, empty islands with barely anyone around. It’s quiet, raw, and very off the beaten path. Meanwhile, Coron is all about dramatic limestone cliffs, lagoons, and bigger landscapes. Visually and vibe-wise, it’s a totally different experience.

I personally loved how untouched Balabac felt. But if you only have time for one, I’d recommend doing the El Nido to Coron expedition (or the other way around). It’s just the more seamless and well-organized option overall with less hassle, more variety, and still unbelievably beautiful.

Check out Here: El Nido to Coron Island Hopping

This is the El Nido – Coron Island Hopping Tour I did!

FAQs About Visiting Balabac Palawan

Is it safe to go to Balabac Palawan?

Yes, totally safe. It’s so remote there’s really nothing going on that would make you feel unsafe. The only sketchy moment we had was when a storm rolled in one night and some tents got blown away, but even that worked out fine in the end.

How to get to Balabac from Puerto Princesa?

Balabac is a group of remote islands, so the only real way to visit is through an organized tour. These tours almost always include transfers from and back to Puerto Princesa, so it’s pretty straightforward once you book.

Is Balabac worth visiting?

Absolutely. The islands and marine life are stunning. Just know that this is a super basic, remote kind of adventure. If you’re into off-the-grid experiences, you’ll love it.

What’s the best Balabac tour package?

If swimming with turtles and staying overnight on Onok Island is on your list, I’d go with Balabac Girl. But if you’d rather have a more social vibe with other backpackers, then Wanderwalkers might be the better fit.

Final Thoughts on a Balabac Island Hopping Tour

I hope this gave you a bit more clarity about how Balabac works and what to expect. I remember struggling to find solid info before I went, since it’s still pretty under the radar and there aren’t that many blog posts out there yet.

For me, it was definitely a bit rough around the edges, but still 100% worth it. If you’re up for an off-the-beaten-path kind of trip, Balabac really delivers. And no matter which tour operator you go with, I’m pretty sure you’ll end up having an amazing time.