Coron Island, Philipinnes

Kayangan Lake on Coron Island

A traditional 'banca' in the Philipinnes

Camping on a Ditaytayan Sandbar in the Philippines

Paddling the spectacular Busuanga Island

Kayak the Calamian Islands - Palawan, Philippines

Experience Jacques Cousteau’s ‘last frontier

Philippines

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6 reviews

8 Days from

Trip Code: PCK

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Essential Information

Duration

8 Days

Activities

7 day kayak

Accommodation

2 nights hotel
5 nights camping

Meals

7 Dinners
7 Lunches
7 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading: Introductory to Moderate
Please note that you will be required to complete a general kayak experience form when booking this trip. The activity of paddling could be compared to brisk walking or cycling. The degree of difficulty of the trip will depend on the weather we encounter. The sea and weather conditions in the Calamian are predominantly stable but some days may require a full days paddling due to prevailing winds. An "average" paddling day will range from 3-5 hours and we mix in rest days and snorkelling for relaxation and exploration. The fitter you are generally, the more you will enjoy the paddling and the greater your resistance to illness. It is a good idea to begin some form of regular exercise well before the trip. Walking, jogging, cycling, aerobics and swimming are all worthwhile methods for achieving a reasonable level of fitness. For paddling, the best exercise is paddling or swimming for developing upper body strength. If you can manage a half-day paddling a kayak on your local harbour or lake, albeit with stops along the way, you will cope with a moderate graded trip. Speed is not the essence; stamina, confidence and continuity are. To prepare for a paddling holiday we recommend you take every opportunity to hire/borrow a kayak and head out for a paddle on your local harbour. If you are unable to do any paddling, any upper body training such as swimming is highly recommended.
4 / 10
Introductory to Moderate

Carbon Footprint

42kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(294kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Paddle among tropical islands complete with sparkling azure waters and white sandy beaches
Experience the warmth of Filipino hospitality
Search for Dugong whilst kayaking
Go with the flow on an itinerary dictated by the winds and the tides
Snorkel on coral reefs and relax in the shade of a palm when not in the kayak
Soak up the island ambiance from our beach camps
Relax on the support boat when you prefer not to kayak

Overview

Experience Jacques Cousteau’s ‘last frontier’ by modern kayak, snorkel azure waters or relax onboard a traditional Filipino boat (banga) on this 8-day expedition, emulating the original paddlers of the Calamian Islands, the tribal Tagbanua. Busuanga Island, the largest in the Calamian group, is located in the Palawan region of the Philippines. It's crystal clear waters and white sand beaches make it a paddlers paradise and we spend our days kayaking and snorkelling, before setting up beach camps each evening to enjoy the sunset. Our flexible itinerary which is fully supported by our 'banga' is suitable for keen kayakers or also those who would rather relax onboard watching the other participants paddle. Pristine reefs, abundant marine life and friendle Filipino await in this rarely visited part of the Philipinnes.

Itinerary

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Meet, greet & transfer from Busuanga Airport by van for 25 minutes to our expedition base at SandCastles Resort. After check-in we will have a kayak familiarisation, and enjoy a 45-minute practice paddle to the Midpid Islands. We will then have a snorkel fitting and practice off the SandCastles drop-off. This evening we meet the team & have an expedition briefing over dinner.

Meals: D

We will have an early breakfast around 6.30 am before checking out (excess luggage may be left at SandCastles) and driving 50 minutes to Coron town. Here we will visit the market to meet our team, doing the final purchasing for the expedition. This is an opportunity for any last minute purchases by participants. From here we will board the expedition outrigger, known locally as a 'banca' for our 10am departure. We will spend the next few hours paddling the lagoons of northwest Coron Island, snorkelling Kayangan or Barracuda lake, and kayaking as much of the west coast of Coron as participants like, retreating as needed to the banca shadowing the paddlers. By 4pm we will rejoin the banca and head to our first beach camp. The boat crew and guides will set up camp, though assistance from participants is welcome. Time to snorkel or lie in a hammock before enjoying dinner under the stars.

Meals: B,L,D

This morning we wake to the aroma of wafting percolated coffee. Our guided paddle south along Coron’s west coast resumes after breakfast, the banca following us after the crew breaks camp. The west coast is in the shadow of the sheer limestone cliffs till 10 or 11 am so paddlers can usually kayak a good 10+ kms punctuated by a visit to the boat for merienda (native snacks with fresh lemongrass tea or native coffee). We return to the boat around noon for lunch and cruise to Calis Point. Here we kayak lagoons and visit a Tagbanua Elder, who takes us to some special spots. If it’s low tide and the wind is light we can experience the “time-tunnels” – the Calis Point portion of 15+ kms of limestone cliff undercuts where you can lose all sense of time and experience the unique topography of the limestone karsts. Locals believe the interior lagoons are home to their local deity the Giant Octopus! Depart by boat by 2.30pm for Ditaytayan and our camp on a sandbar with a view from the tent of both sunset and sunrise.

Meals: B,L,D

We board the banca after breakfast & dismantling of camp. Cruise to Malcapuya where we have the opportunity to snorkel amongst giant clams. Returning to the boat while taking merienda we relocate to the start of today's paddle which follows a mangrove shortcut to Culion, a town once the largest leper colony in the world and now inhabited by some of the friendliest people imaginable. Board boat, take lunch, and tie up to Culion pier for a short guided walk of the town while our crew scours for ice and fresh vegetables and fruit. Depart by boat for Lusong reef & wreck for superlative snorkelling. We then paddle a shortcut to Pass Island where our tented camp for the night awaits.

Meals: B,L,D

This morning we continue our paddle out of Pass Island after breakfast, with the banca following after our crew breaks camp. We kayak over carpets of vibrant coral, dropping our paddles for a swim at beautiful palm-fringed tropical islands. Thankfully, each kayaker has a string hammock in their boats to hang between two coconuts for a siesta! Covering a distance of 20 kms, it’s rare for paddlers to hitch a ride on the banca, as the journey is so mesmerising. Tonight we camp on Dibitunay Island, or continue on a further 5km to Black Island.

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast, we have time to explore the limestone island, Black Island, and take a dip in its cave with a clear pool. From here we set off for Ocam-Ocam Beach, located on the north west coast of Busuanga Island, with its strip of native beach stalls, huts, bars and simple restaurants which we’ll wander. In the afternoon we head off in our kayaks bound for Capari Island, and another limestone island camp site for the night.

Meals: B,L,D

This morning we have an early start after breakfast and breaking camp. We take to our kayaks and paddle the Calauit mangrove channel before meeting our Indigenous ranger for a potential snorkelling experience with dugong. Cruise to Camp Benedict, and get a taste of Filipino hospitality at the home of your guide, Bobby, before paddling or cruising back to SandCastles and the refreshing comfort of soaking in spring water plunge pools with a cold beverage.

Meals: B,L,D

We enjoy breakfast before either taking our kayaks or a bike for rides to the nearby village of Lakdayan. You may also choose to just laze in a hammock or tap the spasmodic internet at SandCastles. Check out will be at noon. Transfer to Busuanga-Coron airport (USU) after lunch. If flight is earlier the kitchen will prepare sandwiches to takeaway.

Meals: B,L

Ready to start your adventure?

5 scheduled departures between 12 Dec 2026 and 11 Dec 2027.

Departs 12 Dec 2026 – ends 19 Dec 2026 (8 days)
Departs 8 May 2027 – ends 15 May 2027 (8 days)
Departs 5 Jun 2027 – ends 12 Jun 2027 (8 days)
Departs 2 Oct 2027 – ends 9 Oct 2027 (8 days)
Departs 11 Dec 2027 – ends 18 Dec 2027 (8 days)

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What's included?

Included

7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7 dinners plus snacks per day
Hotel accommodation on a twin share basis at Palawan SandCastles
Return transfers from Busuanga USU airport and group hotel
Single sea kayaks (double, on request, if available)
3-4 person tent for double and twin; 1-2 person tent for single
Camp pad, camp pillow, top and bottom sheets, camp towel, beach towel
Dry bags for sheets & towels we supply. We recommend you bring dry bags for personal items
Snorkels & masks (no fins)
Professional guides
Group first aid kit

Not included

International flights
Arrival and departure transfers
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls etc.
Meals not indicated in the itinerary
Tips
Airport and departure taxes
Travel insurance
Visas

Reviews (6)

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The kayaking trip was wonderfully organised, the days were packed and felt like several days in one exploring the local area, but it was never taxing as the staff were always on hand to make food and set up camp.

Emma|United Kingdom

28 Jun 2026

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It was a wonderful trip. Greg, Lerma and Vida went above and beyond to make sure our kayaking was fantastic. It was just the right amount of kayaking and relaxation. So many great days exploring all the Palawan has to offer.

Kaye Ervin|Echuca, VIC Australia

7 Jan 2025

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Absolutely fabulous!

Craig Alexander|Wagga Wagga, NSW Australia

7 Jan 2025

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Sharlee|Victoria, Australia

25 Jul 2026

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Luke|Victoria, Australia

23 Jun 2026

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Cristina Cifuentes|Willoughby, NSW Australia

7 Jan 2025

Extra trip info

Will My Trip Run?

Every departure date advises whether the date is confirmed, and roughly how full it is. Here is what each one means.

Is the departure confirmed?

Guaranteed to go This departure has reached its minimum number and will run.
It is the point travellers should wait for before booking any non-refundable flights.

Close to guaranteed This appears only when a date is close to reaching minimum numbers. If it shows 1 or 2 to guaranteed, book as a pair on a date needing two and it reaches its minimum. Your booking confirms the date for everybody already booked.

How full is the date I am looking at?

Space is filling or Space is filling fast This date has bookings and places are still open. Filling fast means limited spots available, so don't leave your decision too late.

Closing soon Down to its last few places, or close enough to departure that we are finalising numbers. Still bookable online.

Closed Not bookable online - either full, or inside the notice we need to arrange permits, flights and logistics. Ask us anyway, you never know!

Availability questions answered

Will this trip actually go ahead, or could it be cancelled?

If a date shows Guaranteed to go, it runs regardless of further bookings.

What does 2 to guarantee mean?

It means two travellers are enough to confirm the departure. It could be 2 more to add to the group, or the date only needs 2 people to run. Either way, if you book for two people, the date will become guaranteed to run.

What happens if my departure does not reach minimum numbers?

You will know the status before you book. Every date on this page is labelled, and dates marked “Guaranteed to go” are running regardless of further bookings. Where a date has not reached its minimum we either offer a surcharge to operate for a smaller group size so it can still run, or we cancel it. We contact you directly either way.

Will I get my money back if you cancel a departure?

If we cancel a departure due to not meeting minimum trip numbers, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us less any non recoverable costs, where insurance may cover you. We cannot refund money committed elsewhere – additional non refundable deposits advised at the time of booking, flights, visas, vaccinations, gear - which is why it is worth waiting for “Guaranteed to go” before booking other arrangements around this trip date. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

Why can't I book some dates online?

Each trip closes online a set time before departure. Permits, internal flights and hut or campsite bookings all have to be arranged before we take payment. Call or enquire as it might still be possible to organise last minute places.

The date I want is closed. What are my options and why does it say to enquire?

Cancellations happen and places do open up on closed dates, so it is worth being on our list. We can also tell you which nearby date on the same trip has space, which is usually the faster route.

None of these dates suit me. Can you run this trip on another date?

Yes, as a private departure. We can run this trip on a date you choose, for your own group - family, friends, a club, or in many cases, just for the two of you. Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming, and we will build it around that.

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Kayak the Calamian Islands - Palawan, Philippines

Trip highlights

Overview

Itinerary

Ready to start your adventure?