Island Hopping in the Philippines 2

Island hop from El Nido to Coron in Palawan, Philippines and explore hundreds of untouched, paradise beach islands. Kitesurfing, snorkeling, diving.

We offer island hopping tours between El Nido and Coron, accommodation off the beaten track, and a suggested itinerary for the Palawan area. Half way between El Nido and Coron you can also drop by our lovely little kitesurfing nature camp.

The Linapacan area, half way between El Nido and Coron, boasts the clearest waters in the world and has excellent snorkeling and hundreds of undeveloped paradise beach islands.

A tour of the area can cost as little as 300 pesos per person (including lunch), or a several day trip between El Nido and Coron for as little as 1,500p. There are caves to explore, you can sleep on a deserted island to yourselves, two sunken shipwrecks for divers, trekking or biking through jungle trails, and beach volleyball, basketball and all the other services we offer at our own kitesurfing nature camp.

Here’s a video which nicely describes this beautiful corner of the world, or check out the video of one of our local tours on the boat operators page:

Write me an email to book your itinerary today!

28 Replies to “Island Hopping in the Philippines 2”

  1. Hello. I was wondering if you could give me some tips on how to make the most of the islands around El Nido and Coron? I have heard about the island hopping trip to go in between but I’m worried it is completely out of my price range. Is there a cheap way to do it? I’ll probably arrive in El Nido around 24th. Thanks, Lorna.

    1. 24th should be a Sunday, when the big public ferry for 1,400pesos leaves from (I believe) San Fernando, to which you can take a cheap bus from El Nido. I know some boat operators who are much cheaper than the expensive Tao Expeditions and you can book through me, or you can take this three-times-a-week public ferry and stop half way at San Miguel in Linapacan. It costs 600 from El Nido, and then 800 to Coron, so the same price. The boat operators can then show you the surrounding islands here much more cheaply. There are hundreds of undeveloped paradise beach islands around here, with the clearest waters in the world and fantastic snorkeling (check out the video at Patoyo Kitesurfing Resort for a sample of snorkeling. Caves to explore too, some diving, and generally off the tourist path. Real gem this part of the world is.

      Or for a good video of island hopping in the area.

      1. Hi. It’s now more likely that I’ll be in El Nido 26th or 27th as I’m going to Port Barton first. Could you email me with some quotes of the island hopping tours you offer? I don’t have the money for Tao but I’d rather do the island hopping for a few more thousand than take the public ferry. Thanks, Lorna

        1. Just starting with this site and have contact to only two operators so far. If they are going with a group, they can take you on board and it could cost as little as 5,000, possibly less if there is a group of you. Hard to organise if your dates keep changing, but hope to have more operators in the future to coordinate easier.

          1. Hi that sounds great. How many nights would it be for and what would it include? I’m travelling on my own but will try and recruit a group for the trip. Spending a few days in Port Barton first.

          2. Set up a page to help people form groups here. Once you decide as a group what you want to do, you are basically in charge of the boat.

      2. Hello Sam Sailor,

        Can you send me any website of yours in order for me to make decision on islandhopping in the Phils. Send to my email address and about safety tips, budget trips, etc….

        Thank you in advance,
        Elena

        1. I tried to Elena but it came back with the message that your email address does not exist. Please carefully check that you wrote your email address correctly whenever submitting a message like this, Sam

  2. Your sight sure looks good to me..and hopefully some specific info you shared is the answer I’ve been searching for for quire a while…
    and that is: a ferry 3 times a week THAT STOPS AT Linapacan’s Sam Miguel landing??
    If thats true and dependable info, you just got me to my destination without waiting for
    Linapacan boats to land up at Coron and trying to buy my passage on their boat back to Linapacan.. to say nothing of securing a return trip when ready to leave!
    Thankyou so much for your help.. Lords blessing on success of your site.. and perhaps one day I can take mmore advantage of what you offer.
    Salamat… MJ Martin Sr, Mobile Alabama USA

    1. Sometimes the big public ferry stops at Linapacan every day, usually at least three times a week. Sometimes it cannot stop here because the waves are too big, especially around February. You can check out the ferries schedule for some info how to get to the Linapacan area, or I can help you hire a private boat. Hope you have a great trip!

  3. You state ‘7107 Islands of Paradise’ – what a load of rubbish! You should rename your caption to read ‘7107 Islands of Poverty and Pollution’.

    Cheery people? yes, of course – when they are fleecing you for as much cash as they can get from you – or stealing whatever they can get their hands on.

    Clean seas? Undiluted and untreated sewage dumped into the sea in most areas – not to mention chemical run-offs in some places.

    The list of dreadful things is too long to provide here.

    I LIVED and WORKED there for more than 6 years so I have some idea of what I’m writing. I also did a little cycle touring there.

    1. Sorry you had such an experience James. I can only say that I have only experienced the Palawan area. I am told it is the best part of the country, where people are more honest and the weather more moderate, without typhoons. There are more than a thousand islands in this area and all that I have seen is pristine, clean, and mostly deserted islands. The locals sweep up and clean garbage constantly. But yes, I do agree that, after a year of living here, I do notice a tendency by locals to grub and scramble for every peso possible, although in an honest way, at least here.

  4. Hi Sam Sailor,

    We are planning a trip to Philippines & Island hopping is top on our list. A few questions.

    1. My partner & I were planning travel in June/July, but later found out that it is the rainy season then at Philippines. So, we are also open to rescheduling it for early Nov instead if June/July is totally bad weather. Your thoughts?
    2. We want to do a 3 day island hopping, not more. We are sea sick so don’t think we can endure prolonged period on sea. Can you arrange something from Coron -> El-Nido for this duration. I realize that we will miss out on a lot due to the 3 day restriction, but we are willing to make that compromise.
    3. We want to do dive/snorkel during these 3 days. My partner can swim, I cant. Will this be an issue. Will there be someone to monitor our dives? Will equipment be provided/arranged?
    4. What will be the approx cost for these 3-4 days? Will food & stay be included?
    5. Can we reach you on phone? Email communication is kinda restrictive.

    Thanks,
    Vidya

    1. Hi Vidya,

      – it generally rains from July until the end of November. It may pour down buckets in Puerto Princesa, but I found that in this area it usually rains heavily for an hour around 3am, sunny and drying during the day, but towards or around November it may rain more during the day, often cloudy. Once the trade winds switch to the opposite direction around the end of November, it will hardly rain until July again, and can be rather wavy and windy until around May, especially around February. More weather details at kitesurfing nature camp
      – if you have time, I would suggest you take a break in the Linapacan area, where my nature camp is located and most of my boat operators live. You could break up your island hopping tour this way and take mini tours during the day, or just relax on the beach. Tons to do around here, 52 untouched islands, and very few tourists.
      – the boats are equipped with life jackets and the operator can help/teach you with swimming, if you need. Coron has six shipwrecks and tons of diving companies, which I am not affiliated with at the moment. There are two shipwrecks in the Linapacan area and a few companies I can help you connect with, but I have no experience with them yet. They are instructors and have their own equipment. Otherwise, the snorkeling is excellent in these clearest waters in the world.
      – the cost for roughly 4 days between El Nido and Coron is 30,000p for the boat, more info at boat prices. You can sleep on the boat for free, or stay on shore usually for 300p a night, or 400p if two people sharing a room or tent. Meals are 100p each and you can stop in any number of grocery stores along the way to stock up on snacks or booze. Or stock up on veggies and use the cooking facilities on the boat. Veggies can be difficult to find in these rural areas, as Filipinos mostly eat fish and rice, but there are good markets in either Coron or El Nido.
      – once you book and pay the deposit I will send you the phone number to the boat operator, including other details and my own number in case you need help with anything.
      – if you need internet get a Smart sim card with a dataplan.

      Sam

  5. Hi Sam,

    Thanks for your reply.

    We will land in Busunga on 19th.
    We would like to start our 2 nights, 3 days island hopping tour from Coron to El Nido on 21st morning and end by 23rd evening
    We do not want a private boat. If there is a group already travelling from Coron to El Nido, we would prefer to join them to split the cost.
    In your “Boat Tour Schedule” page, there is no tour of for the dates I mentioned. What happens in this case?

    Also, your Boat Tours page mentioneda s “B : 2-5 day local tour of several islands”. Would this start at Coron and end at Elnido? Is there a group already travelling this route that we can join?

    Note: We would prefer a bigger boat to avoid coppy water (assuming that bigger boats are more stable).

    Please let me know if this can be arranged & the approx cost.

    Thanks,
    Vidya Bhat

    1. Hi Vidya, local tours are in Linapacan only, and can be as low as 300p each, lunch included. Here are some directions to help you get to and leave from Linapacan by the public ferries. The bigger boats are more expensive because they consume more gas, but have a larger capacity. You can occasionally check the Boat Tour Schedule page to see if a group forms, or put in a request to be informed when one does form, but nothing is guaranteed then.

  6. Hi, thanks for all information you are providing on the website! Me and 5 friends are comming to Coron at 18th of November and planning to continue to Palawan after 2 – 3 days. I am quite impressed by Linacapan area and would like to visit it for 4 – 5 days. Is it possible to arrange private boat trip, than spend few days on Patoyo (windsurfing, kayaking, wakeboarding perhaps) and than continue to Palawan?

  7. Hey Sailor Sam! My friend and I will be in El Nido around January 20th and we would like to do some island hopping to Coron. We took a look at the tours that are available to be joined but nothing seems to fit our schedule. How can we book a tour for ourselves?

  8. Hello karel. We talked on airbnb yesterday. Your description of your way to make coffee is enough for make me think, “there I must go.” I hate there powder-spraying.

    It sounds nice with live music. I hate the ever present karaoke machine. Everywhere in the Philippines to hear people singing squeaky false in these terror machines. I love the Philippines. But their karaoke and loud pop music, I can do without.

    So I’m almost sure I come. But it is difficult to put a date on. I know from experience that the Philippines is not a country where everything can be planned in detail. I think you understand what I mean.

    1. yah, the karaoke can get gnawing, but childishly inspirational too. I’ve managed to drill my providers of the importance of being timely, considering most travelers have only a few weeks vacation and don’t want to waste any time waiting around for someone who lives perpetually in paradise. 🙂 Talk to you soon!

  9. Hi Sailor Sam
    Could you please advise me the best way to organize island hopping? We’d be at El Nido from 7th till 14th January. There are 3 of us – 2 adults and a child (12 y.o) We want to explore islands around and to stay away from the most crowded places but our camping abilities are rather low. For us would be ideal to join some tour with only one night of camping or join the serial of such tours. Or to join some speed boats tour to go from El Nido or it’s surrounding to Linacapan and back. Could you recommend us something?

  10. I’m looking forward to it. If it goes as I hope, I will spend about a week with you. I would very much like to sleep in a tent on the beach.

  11. Hi Sailor Sam,
    My fiancce and I are looking to make the most of our trip to the Philippines in April. How much time do you think we’d need to really enjoy palawan (el nido and coron primarily)?

    1. As explained in my suggested travel itinerary for the Palawan area, this area alone requires at least 7 days, ideally 10-14 days to see it properly. To rush from one big tourist town to another in my mind does not make a good vacation and if you want to see other parts of the Philippines in a short time it is better to come back again to visit another part of the country. There are many islands, spread out, and transport can be slow and sporadic.

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