2019 Breathtaking El Nido and Paradise Port Barton

After three years, I'm back in one of my top three destinations in the Philippines. My fifth time to visit El Nido and second time to visit Port Barton and the excitement never withered.

Hadefe Travels and Tours has always been my long time partner in my series of travels in Puerto Princesa (PPC) Coron and El Nido. They are simply superb and Sir Hanny is simply one of the best friends one could have and keep.

Hadefe - 0920 952 3280, 0920 600 5979, 048 723 1909

There are numerous flights going to PPC and there is a direct flight to El Nido using Air Swift. But I  still opted using Air Asia. I got use to passing to PPC and seeing Sir Hanny before going to El Nido. Seeing PPC completes the journey.

With the kind assistance of Sir Hanny, I was transported from PPC to El Nido.

PPC to El Nido -P500 (5 hours) vice-versa

El Nido to Port Barton - P500 (3-4 hours) vice-versa

Port Barton to PPC - P300 (3 hours)

I arrived past 4 pm and strolled at the beach and enjoyed the view.

Weather was not that good but there was still sunset.

DAY 2
TOUR A
P1,200-1,400

EL NIDO offers a variety of tours. But Tours A, B, C, and D are the common island hopping tours.

I chose Tours A and C. And for that day, it was Tour A.

BIG LAGOON was the first destination.

Before there was Small Lagoon but right now you have to choose between the small and the big lagoon. After the Big Lagoon, we went to the Simizu Island for snorkeling. 

Then, we went to Intalula Island East and West.

We took our delicious lunch at Intalula.

Last stop was the Papaya Island.

Going back, I witnessed one of the breathtaking sunsets El Nido can offer.

DAY 3

TOUR C

P1,200

We started the tour at Helicopter Island.

Then went to Hidden Beach.

The foreigners love this part of the tour.

We took our lunch at Talisay Island.

Last stop was supposed to be Secret Beach.

But we still went to another snorkeling area and Pasandigan Island.

DAY 4
NACPAN BEACH

I stayed at Hadefe Resort. It has the best view in town and the most accommodating staff. The rooms were great and cozy!

You can simply enjoy and relax at Hadefe Resort and all your tour needs will be provided by them.

Early morning, I rented a motorbike for P500 and went to Nacpan Beach (about 22 kilometers or roughly 30-40 minute ride).

After Nacpan, I bid goodbye to the staff and  boarded a  van to Port Barton. Fare was P500 and the ride toom me more than 3 hours.

My accommodation was at the White Hauz (BJ 0906 356 7610).

They have the dormitory room for P350. The fan room for P800-900. And the aircon room for P1,200-P1,500.

Then the day ended.

DAY 5
TOUR A
Boat rental c/o Michael - 09758580078, 09469641456

All other needs
Van rental, tours, etc
Macky - 0935 036 7676, 0946 964 1456

We started the tour at Twin Reef. Fee for one person is P1,200. 

Second stop was the German Island and the Turtle Spot.

Then, we took our lunch at Pena Plata Island.

One of the sites for your lunch and snorkeling.

One of the things that Port Barton has is the turtle watching tour.

Then we went to Exotic Island.

Maxima Island

Then, the last two stops were the Fantastic Reef and the Sandbar.

Finally, another mesmerizing sunset in Palawan.

MY SINCEREST and HEARTFELT GRATITUDE

My longtime friend Sir Hanny Enor.

Owner - Hadefe

0920 952 3280, 0920 600 5979, 048 723 1909

A friend to keep Macky Tinebro

0935 036 7676, 0946 964 1456

Boat rental

Michael Perez or Cael

0975 858 0078, 0946 964 1456

And my new friend BJ of White Hauz 

0906 356 7610

SALAMAT PO 😃

Islands and Sandbars of Balabac, Palawan

Palawan is the number one island in the world.

Balabac, Palawan epitomizes the reason why Palawan is simply the number one.

Balabac is a second class municipality in the province of Palawan. It is situated in the southern end of Palawan island, It consists of 32 islands and 14 barangays. It is only 50 kilometers north from Sabah, Malaysia, across the Balabac Strait and lies in the Sulu sea. 

My favorite spots in Palawan are Coron and El Nido. I learned this island from a fellow traveler named Anj of Kilometer Zero (0917) 833 1003 /  (0998) 998 1003) and she was the one who arranged my tour in Balabac.

Before the Balabac trip, I visited Port Barton and stayed in Puerto Princesa for my van pick-up in the city. However, I was not fetched by my ride to Rio Tuba and good thing Barakah was there to save my tour.

The van ride to Rio Tuba normally was good for 5-6 hours but since I was in a hurry, I was able to ask the driver to step on the gas in order for me to catch the boat ride to Balabac. I was able to arrive at the designated place and time. Unfortunately, the boat left at 10:30 am and I had to wait for the next boat which left past 12 noon.  

Past 3 pm, the boat arrived at Bancalaan Port.

Good thing my boat ride was already there for my much-awaited tour of the islands of Balabac. Reymart and Richard, siblings, were my guide and the boat operator. 

Day 1 

Our first stop was just 15 minutes from the port where we departed. The sea was quite rough that day but that was part of the adventure!

Before I continue with my blog, Kap Andong requested that I should not give the name of the islands and being an obedient person, I will simply put the initial of the island.

P Island

One of the best islands that I have seen in Balabac is this island. The name of the island comes form the word "Tawan" which means sharp. It is one of the nesting areas of the sea turtles. 

It is a white sand beach island with pristine clear waters. The temptation to swim was there and I was not able to resist the temptation.

Next stop was C Island. It took us 45 minutes before we reached the spot. Fishermen usually docked at this island.

C Island

It is one of the islands inhabited by the locals.

C Island

Next stop was the Starfish Sandbar. There were 3 sandbars in the area and we visited two of the 3 sandbars. 

Last stop for the day was the C Island. It took us 30 minutes before we reached the said island. C Island is also one of the nesting areas of sea turtles and 3 eagle species. 

We camped at this island, cooked our dinner and enjoyed our sumptuous dinner. 

The tour will not be complete without our sunset viewing.

I was the only person in the tour and I enjoyed the comfort of being alone in the tent.

Day 2 

The following morning, we woke up 4:30 am and prepared our meal. By 6 am, we were already heading towards our first destination. The weather was sunny that day. A perfect day for my tour.

Past 8 am, we reached the Anjela Sandbar and then passed Mansalangan island.

Punta Sebaring

We stayed for a couple of minutes and headed to our next destination. After one hour, we reached Punta Sebaring. 

the finest white sand in the Philippines

Punta Sebaring boasts of having the finest white sand bar in the Philippines!

Afterwards, we went to the next island, S Island.

Next destination was the T Island.

T Island has the best rock formations and the perfect place to shoot your landscape pictures. I roamed around the island and captured breathtaking pictures.

You have to stay long in this island and explore its beauty and mystique. 

I did not mind the time and I did not mind that it was past 1 pm. I was capturing pictures!

I trekked the top of the rock formation and the view was even more amazing!

According to the locals, the island is owned by this man whom I forgot the name.

Next stop was C Island. Another island to enjoy your swim.

And the last stop was SS Island and it was just 5 minutes away from C Island. It also has the rock formations of T Island.

Matangguli Sandbar

We saved the best for the last. I was told that there was this last sand bar and the name of the sandbar was  Matangguli Sandbar.

We headed to Balabac mainland, specifically to Barangay 4, Poblacion, Balabac.

There I met Kap Andong and her wife. Kap Andong is the boat operator. 

Kap Andong - 0920-421-4583 / 0926-685-9095

I roamed around the small town of Balabac.

There only two places to stay in Balabac.

I stayed in this place.

You can visit the entire town in less than an hour of walking.

By 6 pm, I went to the port and watched the day as it ended.

5 sandbars

10 islands

I LOVE BALABAC!

I will go back and conquer Mangsi and Onuk Island!