Port Barton Island Hopping Day Trip from Puerto Princesa

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Port Barton Island Hopping Day Trip from Puerto Princesa

Overview

This Port Barton day trip from Puerto Princesa lets you see one of Palawan's quietest bays without changing hotels. We pick you up early near the airport and drive north in an air-conditioned vehicle across the island to the fishing village of Port Barton on the west coast. There you board an outrigger boat for a day of island hopping: snorkelling on coral reefs, swimming where wild sea turtles feed, relaxing on a white-sand island and enjoying a grilled lunch on the beach. A licensed guide, boat transfers, entrance fees, life jacket, mask and snorkel are included. The trip is shared with other travellers and lasts about 15 hours door to door. It suits active couples, friends and families who do not mind a long day on the road.

Highlights

Hotel pickup near Puerto Princesa airport and air-conditioned transfers
Scenic drive across Palawan to the west coast
Island hopping by outrigger boat in Port Barton Bay
Snorkel coral reefs and look for wild sea turtles on the seagrass
Relax on a white-sand island with turquoise shallows
Local-style grilled lunch on the beach
Licensed guide, entrance fees, life jacket, mask and snorkel included

Full Description

The road from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton

How to get to Port Barton from Puerto Princesa: the village lies in the municipality of San Vicente, about three to four hours by road to the north-west. The route follows the national highway through rice fields, small towns and forested hills, then turns west over the mountains to the coast. Our driver leaves at about 5:00 so that you reach the boat while the sea is calm and the light is good.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and the driver makes a short comfort stop on the way; breakfast is not included, so bring snacks or buy something at the stop. The early start is worth it: you swap the bustle of the city for a quiet bay on the open sea, and the drive itself shows a side of rural Palawan most visitors never see.

Port Barton village and its bay

Port Barton is a relaxed fishing village with a sandy main beach, a row of small guesthouses and outrigger boats drawn up on the shore. There are no big hotels and very little traffic, which is why travellers who spend a few nights here often call it the calmest stop in Palawan. The bay in front of the village is dotted with small islands, sandbars and coral reefs, protected by local rules.

Is a Port Barton day trip worth it? If you are based in Puerto Princesa and want clear water and empty beaches without a long journey to El Nido, it is an excellent choice. An environmental fee is collected locally in Port Barton and is not included in the tour; your guide will explain how to pay it on arrival.

Turtle area and coral reefs

Out in the bay, the boat stops at shallow seagrass beds where wild green sea turtles come to feed, and at reefs with hard and soft corals, giant clams and schools of colourful fish. The water is often only a few metres deep, so you can float at the surface with your mask and watch the reef below. Life jackets are provided for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

Sea turtles are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed. Please keep your distance, never touch, chase or feed them, and avoid standing on seagrass or corals. Use reef-safe sunscreen. Each snorkelling stop lasts about thirty to forty-five minutes, and your guide chooses the spots with the best visibility and the calmest water on the day.

White-sand island and lunch

In the middle of the day the boat lands on one of the bay's small white-sand islands, with coconut palms, soft sand and turquoise shallows for a long swim. This is where you enjoy a local-style grilled lunch of fish, chicken or pork, rice, vegetables and fruit. If you need halal or vegetarian food, tell us when booking; halal choices are limited in Palawan, but fish and vegetable dishes are easy to arrange.

After lunch there is time to sunbathe, take photos and swim before a final snorkel. The best time to visit Port Barton is the dry season from December to May. From June to November the southwest monsoon and typhoon season can make the west coast rough, and boat trips may be cancelled for safety; when that happens we move your date.

Itinerary

Early pickup in Puerto PrincesaOur driver collects you from your hotel near the airport at about 5:00.
Drive to Port BartonAir-conditioned transfer across Palawan with a short comfort stop, about 3 to 4 hours.
Boarding at Port BartonCollect life jacket, mask and snorkel and board the outrigger boat, about 15 minutes.
Reef and turtle snorkellingSnorkel at shallow reefs and the seagrass area where sea turtles feed, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
White-sand island and lunchSwim, relax and enjoy a grilled lunch on the beach, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Final reef stopOne more snorkel on a coral reef before returning to the village, about 45 minutes.
Drive back to Puerto PrincesaReturn transfer of about 3 to 4 hours, arriving at your hotel in the evening; the day lasts about 15 hours.

What's included

Hotel pickup and drop-off near Puerto Princesa airport
Air-conditioned vehicle transfers
Licensed tour guide
Boat transfers between the islands
Entrance fees
Life jacket, snorkel and mask
Local-style grilled lunch

Not included

Breakfast and dinner
Environmental fees paid locally
Tips

Not suitable for

Pregnant women
People with mobility impairments

Meeting point

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels within about 15 km of Puerto Princesa International Airport, which covers the city centre. Pickup is at about 5:00 and your exact time is confirmed after booking. The tour ends back at your hotel in the evening.

Important information

Bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a dry bag
Breakfast and dinner are not included; bring snacks for the early drive
Environmental fees are paid locally in Port Barton and are not included
Sea turtles are wild: sightings are not guaranteed; never touch or chase them
It is a long day with about 6 to 8 hours of driving in total
Boat trips may be cancelled in rough weather, especially June to November
Bring cash; card payments are limited in Port Barton
Tell us about dietary needs such as halal or vegetarian when booking

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.

Is this a shared or a private tour?

It is a shared tour: you travel in an air-conditioned vehicle and on the boat with other guests and a licensed guide.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, for hotels within about 15 km of Puerto Princesa International Airport, which includes the city centre.

Is the price per person or per group?

The price is per person. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for your date.

What is included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transfers, a licensed guide, boat transfers between the islands, entrance fees, life jacket, mask and snorkel, and a local-style grilled lunch.

What is not included?

Breakfast, dinner, environmental fees paid locally and tips.

How long is the trip?

About 15 hours door to door, starting at about 5:00, with roughly 3 to 4 hours of driving each way.

Will we see sea turtles?

Often, but not always. The turtles are wild and sightings are never guaranteed; your guide takes you to the best area of the day.

Is it suitable for children or people with reduced mobility?

Older children who are comfortable with a long day usually enjoy it. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments, as boarding and landings are in the water.

What should I bring?

Swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a dry bag, snacks and cash for local fees.

What is the best time of year?

December to May has the calmest sea on the west coast. From June to November the monsoon and typhoon season can cause cancellations for safety.

Is halal food available?

Halal food is limited in Palawan, but the grilled lunch can be prepared with fish and vegetables. Tell us your needs when booking.

How do I book and confirm?

Choose your date in the booking panel and send your request. Our team confirms on WhatsApp within minutes and sends your pickup time.