Balabac tour prices are not a single number. They depend on how many days you travel, whether you join a shared departure or charter the whole boat, how far the route runs, how many people share the cost, the van transfer, the food, and the camp logistics behind every night on the islands. This page explains what changes the price, what our own packages include, and what to confirm before you pay a deposit.
Written by the Balabac Tours crew, who live and work on Punta Sebaring, Bugsuk Island, Balabac.
What a Balabac tour costs with us
We run two all-inclusive packages from Puerto Princesa. Every rate below is per person, based on a group of four, and includes the round-trip van transfer, the boat, the crew, the food and the island fees.
4 days / 3 nights
Balabac Expedition
₱19,800
Per person for a group of 4. Our full 4-day, 3-night expedition covering every major island and sandbar.
3 days / 2 nights
Essential Balabac
₱17,800
Per person for a group of 4. The 3-day, 2-night version for travellers with limited time.
Groups of 5-10
Lower group rate
₱17,500
Per person. Larger groups pay a lower per-person rate because boat, crew and camp costs are shared.
Joiner or private? Both are available. A joiner booking is a shared scheduled departure where you buy seats per person and travel with other travellers. A private booking means the whole boat and campsite are yours for your group only. The rates above are our published group-of-four rates – message us on WhatsApp for a current joiner rate or a private charter quote for your dates.
What is included in the price
Every Balabac Tours package is all-inclusive from the moment we pick you up in Puerto Princesa:
- Round-trip van transfer from Puerto Princesa to Buliluyan Port
- Private, roofed boat for the entire expedition
- Licensed boat captain and a local guide
- Coast Guard clearance obtained before every trip
- All meals from Day 1 breakfast to Day 4 breakfast
- Camping tent with mattress, or a hut upgrade
- All island entrance fees and environmental fees
- A beachfront campsite run by a local family at Punta Sebaring
- Shared toilets, fresh water for rinsing and generator power (6 PM - 10 PM)
- A stop at Onok Island
What is not included
Four things sit outside the package price. Budget for these separately:
- Flights to Puerto Princesa
- Travel insurance - arrange it in your own country, we do not provide it
- Personal snacks and drinks
- Gratuities for the crew
What actually drives the price
If you compare two Balabac quotes and one is far cheaper, at least one of these six things is different. Ask about each one before you compare.
1. Duration
Every extra day adds a full day of fuel, a day of crew wages, three more meals per person and another night of camping logistics. That is why four days costs more than three.
2. Joiner or private
A joiner seat shares the boat, the crew and the fuel across unrelated travellers, so the per-person price is lower. A private charter puts the entire boat and campsite at your group disposal, which is the most comfortable way to travel but carries the whole cost on your group.
3. How many people share the cost
Fixed costs – the van, the boat, the captain, the guide and the camp setup – do not change much whether four people or nine people travel. More people therefore means a lower rate per person, which is why larger groups of 5 to 10 pay less.
4. The van transfer
The run from Puerto Princesa to Buliluyan Port is roughly six hours each way and is included in every package. Operators who quote a lower headline price sometimes exclude this leg, leaving you to arrange and pay for it yourself.
5. Food and camp logistics
All meals, drinking water, a tent with mattress, cooking equipment, fuel for the generator and the crew who prepare and clean all of it are part of the price. Camping on a remote island means everything you need has to be carried there by boat.
6. Route distance and season
Distant stops such as Onok Island and the Mansalangan sandbar burn more fuel and more hours than a short hop. We run tours year-round, but the habagat monsoon from roughly July to October brings rougher seas and occasional Coast Guard cancellations, which can force a shorter route.
What this means in practice
For a group of four travelling together, the honest answer to what a Balabac tour costs is between ₱17,800 and ₱19,800 per person with us, all-inclusive from Puerto Princesa, depending on whether you take the 3-day or the 4-day route. A group of five to ten pays ₱17,500 per person. Add your flights to Puerto Princesa, travel and medical insurance, and personal spending on top.
If you are travelling alone or as a couple and want to keep the cost down, a joiner departure spreads the fixed boat and crew costs across more people. If your priority is having the islands to yourselves, a private charter costs more per person but gives you the boat, the crew and the campsite on your own schedule.
What to confirm before departure
Whatever operator you book with, get clear answers to these questions in writing before you pay a deposit:
- Is the Puerto Princesa van transfer included in both directions?
- Is the boat private to your group, or shared with other travellers?
- How many people will be on the boat and at the campsite?
- Is Onok Island included, or dependent on weather and tide?
- Are all island and environmental fees included?
- What exactly does the cancellation and refund policy say?
- Who is the licensed captain and guide, and do they run their own boats and camp?
How should you prepare?
Balabac is remote, and the final itinerary always depends on the weather and Coast Guard advisories. A little preparation goes a long way:
- Bring a dry bag for electronics - you will be on boats and sandbars all day.
- Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and light long sleeves for the boat.
- Expect no mobile signal at camp. Download what you need before you leave Puerto Princesa.
- Bring cash. There are no ATMs on the islands.
- Bring any personal medication, and tell us about it before departure.
- Pack light - everything you bring has to fit on the boat.
Questions travellers ask
How much does a Balabac tour cost?
Our 4-day 3-night Balabac Expedition costs PHP 19,800 per person for a group of 4, and the 3-day 2-night Essential Balabac costs PHP 17,800 per person for a group of 4. Groups of 5 to 10 pay PHP 17,500 per person. All rates are all-inclusive from Puerto Princesa.
What is included in the price?
Round-trip van transfer from Puerto Princesa to Buliluyan Port, a private roofed boat, a licensed captain and local guide, all meals from Day 1 breakfast to Day 4 breakfast, a camping tent with mattress, all island and environmental fees, a beachfront campsite run by a local family at Punta Sebaring, and a stop at Onok Island.
What is not included?
Flights to Puerto Princesa, travel and medical insurance arranged in your own country (we do not provide it), personal snacks and drinks, and gratuities for the crew.
Do you offer joiner tours and private charters?
Yes, both. A joiner booking is a shared scheduled departure where you buy seats per person. A private booking means the whole boat and campsite are reserved for your group only. Message us on WhatsApp for a current joiner or private rate.
What is your cancellation policy?
Full refunds are available for cancellations made more than 14 days before your tour date. A deposit is required to confirm your booking. Message us for the deposit amount and the full terms.
How many days do you need in Balabac?
Three days gives a compact introduction to the main islands. Four days covers every major island and sandbar at a more comfortable pace, with more room to absorb a weather change.
Is there mobile signal at the camp?
No. There is no mobile signal at the campsite, so you will be offline for the duration of your stay on the islands.
Do you visit mainland Balabac?
No. We stay on the islands and sandbars. This is a deliberate safety decision, because there have been crocodile sightings around mainland Balabac.
When is the best time to visit Balabac?
We operate year-round and the islands are quietest outside the dry season. The habagat monsoon from roughly July to October brings rougher seas and occasional Coast Guard cancellations.
Ready to check your dates?
Tell us your dates and how many people are travelling. We will confirm availability, the deposit amount and the payment options – you will be speaking directly to the family who runs the tours, not a call centre.
WhatsApp 0956 751 0634 · Email info@balabac.tours · Balabac, Palawan, Philippines