Camping and Tenting

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The Philippines is a country of 7,107 islands, beach paradise after beach paradise. It is not difficult to find empty beaches where you can set up a tent for free, with walking trails through the jungle on remote islands. If you respect the environment and locals, they are most often completely cool about it. Just spend some money wherever you stay and the word will get around.

The above picture is where I first started camping in Linapacan, a beautiful area off the beaten path with 52 paradise beach islands. You can read the complete story, as I moved to develop a nature camp/resort on a different paradise beach island. You can check out info I’m collecting on other parts of the country, ferries how to get to Linapacan, or join or book one of our private custom boat tours between El Nido and Coron. Tons of paradise beach islands to see along the way, excellent snorkeling in crystal clear waters, caves to explore, Spanish fortress and much more. Completely off the beaten path!

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Palawan

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Voted many times as the best island in the world, there is lots to see, You can find more in the Things to Do section of TripAdvisor. The area between Coron and El Nido (Linapacan) is pristine and beautiful. I’ve had visitors come on kayaks, inflatable longboards (complete with waterproof gps tracking unit, solar panel, compartments etc), even four Russians on an improvised engine-powered raft (complete with a keg). Can be a 2,000km stretch around the southern tip of Palawan (if starting from Coron). But be warned of possible pirates around the southern tip, or sea alligators who can reach lengths of 6 meters! In which case it might be better to dive into the mainland around Princesa, cut across and continue northwards after that.

russians-raft-canoe-kayak-palawanFour Russians showed up announced on my beach with their powered, homemade raft.

I’ve collected some information about El Nido, Coron, and Linapacan. Port Barton and Sabang are nice, you can poke your head from the main highway to the beach, or peruse the beaches from the ocean side on a sailboat. Sibaltan on the other/east side of the peninsula is a great archaeological village with a mile of beach. Good idea to rent a motorbike and bring tent with gear. If you give yourself enough time to hunt around, usually you can find a room from 300 to 500 pesos a night for up to two people in a single bed, possibly with fan. Or scour the beaches looking for quiet spots, for your tent.

sibaltan-palawan-philippinesThe lovely Sibaltan

Just to the east of Sibaltan are a ton of islands and you can try your luck finding a local fisherman to take you there. Or ask Dennis at the Ursula resort right on the beach. Say hi from Karel. Or you can take a 30 minute boat to Pical on Iloc Island, for local tours from there. There are also a lot of boats in San Fernando, about 20 minutes north of Sibaltan. In Sibaltan you can stay cheaply in a dormitory hut.


The lovely Iloc island.

South of Sibaltan is TayTay and northward by boat you can make your way to Linapacan or Coron. You can try the ferries for budget, join a group in one of our multi-day, private boat tours, or pass through the entire area, Manila round trip, for 10,000p total (above map picture).

Once in Linapacan, halfway to Coron, there are tons of deserted islands or beaches (such as the lovely Bolina island), with caves, cliff diving and an Old Spanish fortress around San Miguel (or), the main town. In San Miguel the BRC hotel now has a big dorm with bunkbeds, there is the Patoyo tent camp (on the island of Patoyo and a great one to explore) across the way, or the nature camp I started, now managed by the son of BRC. Through him you can arrange affordable local boat tours – 52 islands in this area alone. Linapacan has the declared clearest waters in the world, with excellent snorkeling everywhere. You will also experience authentic Filipino rural living.

I suggest the app maps.me, which works offline and only requires GPS. Before you come make sure to zoom in enough and download the detailed maps of all the areas you would like to visit, since the internet can be very slow here. With this map app you can see how long or developed the beaches are and perhaps some trails.

Cebu and Visayas

Now that I have thoroughly explored the Palawan area and left my budding little nature camp in capable hands, I would like to buy a motorcycle and explore the rest of the country, starting with the Visayas region. Be sure to check the progress! I’ll be updating it here and on the Philippines Camping Facebook page.

Below are some pics I’ve taken while touring through the Palawan area.

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Our budding kitchen.

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Volunteer helping to build trails in the jungle.

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Move the hammocks and tents according to your taste,
beautify your own area.

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View from the top of the island – second project.

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Everything built from surrounding natural materials.

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Pockets of space in the jungle just off the beach (sometimes rather windy right on the beach).

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Our little paddle banca to explore neighbouring islands.

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Cheery people from all over the world.

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Our first project on a nearby island, with main hut already completed.

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Explore the many deserted islands.

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Live next to local fishermen with their families.

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Tons of space to park your own tent for only 100p a day, or rent one of ours for 300p a night for one person or 400p for two. We have volleyball, kitesurfing boards, excellent snorkeling, and a small banca with which you can paddle around this or neighbouring islands. We can also organise local island hopping tours, diving and cave exploration. Tons of things to do in this gem of the Philippines!

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Home » Palawan » Services » Camping and Tenting

hotel luci del farohotel luci del faro
08:13 31 Jan 24
We booked the 3 day 2 night expedition, from Coron to Sibaltan.First of all the booking part was really simple. I organized this trip to the Philippines last minute for my family (my parents and my uncles) but Karel answered all my questions very quickly and really made everything easier for me. It was an incredible experience. Albert, our tour leader, is a wonderful guy, always smiling and ready to help us. They assisted us in everything and really took care of making everything go smoothly. The accommodation on the islands is as spartan as you expect but the location of each hut alone is worth the trip. The wonder of nature was then added to the goodness of cuisine. It's really difficult to argue how you can cook all that goodness on a boat.If you are looking for an authentic experience, in contact with nature, off the beaten track, this company's private expedition is certainly for you.
Kate BrownKate Brown
00:22 27 Oct 23
What an unforgettable experience! We did a two night (3 day) island hopping tour from Sibaltan to Coron. Everything was so well organized and the boat crew were amazing and really made sure we had a great time. The accommodation was rustic, but added to the authentic experience of the Philippines. Karel always responded to any queries we had promptly. Our boatman, Albert, was the most amazing chef and we enjoyed every meal. The crew taught the kids how to fish with a line which was their highlight of the trip. They took us to the most unbelievable snorkelling spots along the way. Would highly recommend this trip.
Ian PascualIan Pascual
02:43 10 Aug 23
One of the most amazing, unforgettable things you can do in your life
Lou PrataliLou Pratali
11:04 25 Jul 23
This is a must to do!!Super ultimate tour is the best with Kayangan and barracuda lake, twin lagoons (my favorite), coral garden (blue fabulous coral) were the best. It’s really worth it to pay for private tour (3500 to 4000 PHP). You will also have to pay for entrance fees (150 to 200PHP by location) and eventually shopping at the market - must do (count 300 for 2 for fish, pork, fruits and vegetables, water).
Gérard BENOITGérard BENOIT
16:11 07 Feb 23
I was looking for a personalized excursion to the stunning Bacuit Gulf.Based on the comments, I contacted Mel.Very responsive, very efficient and perfect organization.The on-board staff were very friendly and very helpful.And I'm not even talking about the meal on board...a marvel.In all fairness, this excursion will remain an excellent memory and I cannot recommend Mel and his team highly enough.A big thank-you.
Alyse TarbottonAlyse Tarbotton
23:48 30 Aug 22
This tour went well above all our expectations! I couldn't recommend this enough! The boat crew, captain and tour guide were nothing but amazing, everyone was so kind, helpful and friendly. The crew knew the best spots to visit that weren't overcrowded with tourists, 3 times we were lucky enough to have whole islands to ourselves! It was my partner's birthday while away and everything went above and beyond, bonfire, cake, birthday card, singing and celebrating with us.If you love camping this is definitely a tout you should do, it has been the highlight of our trip!!
Danish KayaniDanish Kayani
10:24 31 Oct 19
Coron is the best place i have ever seen.. picturesque. Beautiful. Peaceful
We booked a 4 days/3 nights private boat trip from Coron to Sibaltan. The organization went very well from the beginning, the owner answered to all my questions, and we were able to choose which islands to visit and where to sleep. The first night we slept in a bungalow in Banana Island, the second we camped in Araw beach and the last we slept in a seafront bungalow builded on a tree in Pical on Iloc Island.The islands in that area are the most beautiful islands I have ever seen, with clear water, lots of coral reef and fishes to see, white sand and almost deserted. The crew was very friendly and polite and they organize every single meal and for camping they give you a tent which was just perfect! This was our highlight in our 2 weeks in the Philippines and I wish I had booked a longer trip. A private trip gives you the freedom to decide where and when to go.
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Gérard Benoit
Gérard Benoit
2023-02-08
recommends
I was looking for a personalized excursion to the beautiful bay of Bacuit. Seeing the comments, I contacted Mel. Very responsive, very efficient and perfect organization. The crew were very friendly and very helpful. And I'm not even talking about the meal on board...a marvel. In all fairness, this excursion will remain an excellent memory and I can recommend Mel and his team highly enough. A big thank-you.
André Mardoñal
André Mardoñal
2019-10-22
recommends
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The island world of Linapacan between Coron and El Nido with the clearest waters in the world is truly a dream for itself! Without a boat you won't be able to see it! But what this boat trips makes so amazing is the crew! Once you come on board they might be shy in the beginning but will make you feel welcome and home from the first moment. Not only that they are looking that you sit comfortable all the time, they will prepare fresh and delicious food what the buy from local markets. They know the best spots and most beautiful islands and will bring you to places where you get this "Robinson Cruisoe feeling". Every day you visit 3 to 5 spots for snorkeling, enjoying a beach or exploring a little island. The accommodation we had was good and simple. We slept in bungalows and tents right at the beach. Sheets and towels were always provided and sometimes towels. After a while you feel like a family on board. We loved living the boat life didn't wanna leave! If you doubt take a longer than shorter trip! For any questions please message me.
Sarah Uhan
Sarah Uhan
2019-01-31
recommends
All in all it was a really great experience. It's a once in a lifetime thing to do and you won't get more authentic and basic Philippino experiences anywhere else. We were not so lucky with the wind and waves so we couldn't do all the stops we wanted to unfortunately. So be aware that especially the months from January to May can be very rough on water. But we still saw some great places Benji took us. Benji and his family was very nice and they did everything they could. The food was amazing - always freshly made in authentic Philippino style and way too much for the 2 of us. Make sure to bring enough cash - many of the islands cost extra (entrance fee) and be aware that any kind of accommodation and food (200php per meal) is not included in the boat fee. Also the deposit and commission fee for the agency are a little over the top, especially since the crew does not get any of it. The costs all in all are rather high for phillipino circumstances especially given the basicness of it all. However if you think about that all 5 boat people (in our case) live off of the boat fee alone, you spent the money willingly. Be aware though that accommodation and sanataries are very basic if even existant. So you gotta have the right mindset. Bring tissue, sanatiszer and earplugs to get some better sleep. Another feedback I have concerning the size of the boat. I don't think it is sufficient for more than 4 people. If the weather is like it was these days, you always have to sit on top and it was already a little squeezy with us 2 and 5 boat people. So I guess 4 guests can be fine but more than that won't have the space. There is different boat sizes but make sure to talk about that with Karel in advance. Other than that it was really worth it and we got to see so many great beaches and reefs which we could have never been able to visit without the tour.
Eric Liu
Eric Liu
2018-03-15
recommends
It was scary to book a 5 day trip with no places to stay confirmed or a strong itinerary. And in the Philippines, communication is difficult. But that is part of changing mindsets to a rural island mindset. In the end, everything worked out. We had some tough moments with bugs. But we also had some amazingly beautiful secluded beaches, the best snorkeling in the world, relaxing on the beach, and freshly made food on the boat while docked at beautiful places (better than being on land). Note, we went with Benji. Recommendations: - you must get a local SIM when you arrive to make sure pickup and everything works out - some islands have bugs - use bug spray! Pros: - a fraction of the cost - away from the crowds - can customize what you want - just ask! - a truly local experience - saw a REAL rural town Cons: - locals aren't really polished tour guides - if you don't ask for it, you won't get it, need to be pretty proactive - pretty simple "activities" - no frills like bathrooms or kayaks etc.
Ángela Deand
Ángela Deand
2017-04-26
recommends
We can't be more grateful to have had the opportunity of experience the peace in Patoyo Kitesurfing Camping! Spending two weeks in Dimancal Island, gave us the chance to experiment the rural and traditional way of life, in touch with the nature and people. We have learnt how to cook with fire, how to open a coconut and how to survive in an environment where for a time we forget about unnecessary needs, just to focus on enjoy the small details and pleasures of life. Mentioning too the amazing snorkeling and beautiful islands around this place, which make it unique​ and special. It is a lovely option if you are running away from tourists and overcrowded places in the Philippines. You will find yourself in the middle of virgin beaches and nature, surrounding​ by charming people. We will definitely come back!
Caroline Danielle
Caroline Danielle
2017-02-13
recommends
We haven't done a Tao tour, but I would suspect that this is a cheaper version of the same thing. Our boat operator (Benji) and the entire crew were were fun, friendly and made an effort to ensure we had a good time. If you get a large group of people together it can be a really inexpensive alternative to other Coron-El Nino and vice versa island hopping tours. The food was good, but more expensive than as advertised by Karl. The price quote we got was 100 php a meal, but the boat charged us 200. Since the food was good we didn't mind the extra expense, but it is important to keep in mind if you're on a budget. Definitely plan for some incidental spending. Our boat did have some mechanical issues and as a result we ended up being stuck in the same place for longer than we wanted to be. That being said, little could have been done about it and the trip was fun nonetheless.
Hauk Are Fjeld
Hauk Are Fjeld
2017-01-01
recommends
If you believe that doing the touristic tours in El Nido and going to "The hidden beach" takes you off the beaten path, you are wrong. There are lots of beautiful places in Palawan, but few of these places are without any other tourists. If you want to spend some extra effort on getting away from the tourist places, and don't mind a little "primitive" living, Island Hopping in the Philippines is definitely something you should check out
Arnold Cabiguen
Arnold Cabiguen
2015-05-08
recommends
The snorkeling in this area is phenomenal. Clearest waters in the world. I guess it's because there is relatively such lower tourist traffic through here, and the locals really protect the reefs!
Karel Kosman
Karel Kosman
2015-05-08
recommends
Love it so much, just had to say it twice!

We are a family operation managing private custom boat tours in the beautiful Palawan area, and are happy to help travelers with their plans through the country, having traveled a lot of it ourselves and planning to visit it all.

0 thoughts on “Camping and Tenting”

  1. Hello,

    Me and my friend are going to visit the philippines in december. We were looking for a place where we can rent a tent, and camp in Palawan. I read that you offer island hopping while camping, is that right? If so, can you give me more information please.

    Thank you!

    Samantha

    Reply
  2. Hi sailorsam,

    We plan to visit Palawan and do camping, may I know how to get to your place from Puerto Princesa Airport?

    How much will it cost for a 3days stay and is it possible?

    Reply
  3. We are a party of two looking for transport to remote locations for camping,kayaking snorkeling and exploration. We need to be dropped off and picked up. How much would this cost? Also, we would need some camping/kayaking supplies. Can you recommend any rental places?

    Thanks

    James

    Reply
    • Some people have rented kayaks from Coron and El Nido but I do not know their contact. If you get it onto the Marhpy’s ferry there are lots of deserted or sparsely populated islands you could explore around here, or inexpensive boat tours locally in smaller boats.

      Reply

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