Port Barton Island Hopping with Turtle Spot and Reef Snorkelling

Port Barton village and its bay

Port Barton is a small fishing village in the municipality of San Vicente on the west coast of Palawan, facing the open sea. It has no big hotels and no traffic, just a sandy main beach lined with guesthouses, outrigger boats pulled up on the shore and a forested hillside behind. For many travellers it is the calm stop between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, and the bay in front of it is scattered with small islands, sandbars and reefs that are protected by local rules.

How to get to Port Barton: the drive from Puerto Princesa takes about three to four hours by road, and from El Nido about four hours. Most visitors stay two or three nights. Is Port Barton worth visiting? If you want quiet beaches and good snorkelling without the crowds of the bigger hubs, the answer is clearly yes, and this boat day is the best way to see its bay.

Turtle Spot

Turtle Spot is an area of shallow seagrass beds in Port Barton Bay where wild green sea turtles come to feed. The water is usually clear and only a few metres deep, so even beginners can float at the surface with a mask and watch a turtle graze slowly on the bottom or rise to breathe. Your guide explains where to enter the water and how to stay calm and still so the animals are not disturbed.

These are wild turtles, so sightings are never guaranteed; on some days they appear within minutes, on others they stay away. Please keep a respectful distance, never touch, chase or feed them, and do not stand on the seagrass. Expect around forty minutes to an hour here, depending on conditions. Life jackets are provided, which makes this stop comfortable for confident and less confident swimmers alike.

Exotic Island or Maxima Island

Mid-way through the day the boat lands on a small white-sand island, usually Exotic Island or Maxima Island, chosen by the crew according to the wind and sea on the day. Both are tiny tropical islets with fine pale sand, coconut palms and turquoise shallows that are ideal for a relaxed swim. There is time to sunbathe, take photos from the water's edge and wade around the shoreline.

This is also where many groups enjoy their lunch: fish, chicken or pork grilled over charcoal with rice, vegetables and tropical fruit, served on the beach. If you need halal food or a vegetarian meal, tell us when booking; halal options are limited in Palawan, but seafood and vegetarian dishes are easy to arrange. Expect about an hour and a half on the island, including lunch.

Twin Reef and the coral gardens

Twin Reef is one of the best snorkelling sites in Port Barton Bay, two coral patches close to each other with hard corals, soft corals, giant clams and schools of reef fish such as parrotfish, damselfish and butterflyfish. The reef sits close to the surface, so you see the colours well on a sunny morning. Earlier in the day the boat also stops at one or two of the bay's shallow reefs, which your guide picks for visibility.

Plan on thirty to forty-five minutes in the water at each reef. Please use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid touching or standing on corals; fins are not needed in these calm, shallow spots. The best time to visit Port Barton for snorkelling is the dry season from December to May, when the sea on the west coast is calmest and the water is at its clearest.

Sea conditions and the season

Port Barton faces west, so the southwest monsoon from about June to October can bring wind, waves and rain. Typhoon season in the Philippines runs roughly June to November, and the Coast Guard may suspend boat trips for safety. When that happens we move your date or advise you on the options. The order of stops can also change on the day to find sheltered water.

From December to May the sea is usually flat in the morning and the light is excellent for photos. An environmental fee is collected locally in Port Barton and is not included; your guide will explain how it is paid. Bring cash, as card payments and cash machines are limited in the village, and keep valuables in a dry bag on the boat.