Barring the sprawling urban clutter of big cities like Manila, most other places in this island nation are beautiful, each indescribably different and paradise-like. The province of Palawan in the Philippines is perhaps the sparkling diamond in the island nation’s many tourist treasures. Coron and the islands near El Nido would definitely be in the running for the world’s most stunning locales.
Island hopping and camping on islands
Standardized tours are offered by operators and tours are classified into A, B, C, D or combinations of 
the four. The A and C tours are the ones highly recommended if you are short on time. Most tours start from upwards of Php 1200 or USD 27. Though most operators advertise and take you to more or less the same places and for the same price, don’t hesitate to attempt to bring down the price. Operators are usually flexible about pricing. The number of people vary wildly from 6 to almost 16 on a boat. Price usually includes snorkeling equipment and lunch. Lunch mostly comprising of seafood, chicken and fresh fruit and vegetables is cooked on secluded beaches by an accompanying cook.
Camping on the islands is also a fantastic option. Very few operators offer custom made 3-4 day camping excursions to the islands. They usually are good for groups of four or more. Being a fairly new activity, waiting for spots to fill up on specific dates often leaves traveler’s frustrated and many go on to opt for easier day trips. You can also try engaging a local fisherman to take you on but this is not easy to arrange.
So so blue
Helicopter island, small lagoon, big lagoon, secret beach, hidden beach are the different well known dazzling stops on tours A and C. Boats lazily weave in and out of stunning lagoons. There is no shade of blue or green that you won’t see on these islands. Water mesmerizingly changes color ever so often that can make you gasp in sheer delight.
With the warm sun and cool breezes the almost always luke warm water invites you in to either just dive in to snorkel or in picture-perfect fairy tale like settings, just float on your back and enjoy a world steeped in extraordinarily beautiful nature. The fairly deep Small lagoon with its azure blue water surrounded by towering verdant cliffs that walls in the lagoon is one of the most beautiful places we have come across in the world.
Everywhere, there are hundreds of colorful fish, barracudas, turtles vying for your attention… a whole eco-system so tantalizingly removed from everyday life for you to enjoy, savor and explore. On some islands you can spot birds nest hunters huts high up on steep cliffs where they live sometimes for days at a stretch seeking the delicacy that is often used in soup and other drinks. If you are lucky you may even be able to spot the hunters themselves at work.
There is even an abandoned church on one of the islands that is both incongruous and not out of place at the same time. Somehow, over time it has melded into and become a part of the landscape.
Onward
If you can tear yourself away from so much beauty and onward to more eye-pleasing splendor, consider catching an overnight boat on to Coron. These run 4-5 times a week and can take anywhere between 7- 10 hours.
Transport- to get there-
Many budget airlines such as Air Asia and Cebu pacific have connections from Manila to Puerto Princessa, the capital of the province. From here there are easy and inexpensive bus connections to the north of the island to El-Nido. The little town itself is nothing to write home about but it is the jumping off point for various day trips to absolutely gorgeous pristine unoccupied islands off its coast (except for a super luxury resort- Pangalusian island resort- deals start upwards of USD 600). El-Nido has its own airport but flights are marginally more expensive to get here. Most tourists fly to Puerto Princessa and then hop on a bus to El-Nido. This also offers one the opportunity of stopping on the way to explore other sights like the subterranean river near the village of Sabang, the rustic resort beach town of Port Barton etc
Tips
You can hire a private boat if you have a large enough group for independent exploration of lesser known islands and to avoid the group tour hordes. Also, four is a good number if you want to go camping on the islands and have them all to yourself, Robinson Crusoe style.
Carry your own snorkel. Most outfits provide free gear but these are usually ill fitting. A pair of flippers is also advisable as some lagoons have razor sharp rock underfoot and you are liable to cut yourself
Keep an eye out for jelly fish. They sting.
Carry a waterproof camera bag you can swim with.
Feature image- Secluded beach at El nido, Palawan, Philippines. Image courtesy Pichugin Dmitry.
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