Home / Balabac travel guide / How to get to Balabac
Reaching Balabac takes three stages: a flight into Puerto Princesa, a long road transfer south to Buliluyan Port, and then the boat crossing out to the islands. The road transfer and the boat are part of every tour we run, so once you land in Puerto Princesa the hard part is already handled.
The route at a glance
| Leg | How you travel | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fly to Puerto Princesa (PPS) | - |
| 2 | Van or bus south to Buliluyan Port | 5 to 6 hours |
| 3 | Boat from the port to the islands | 3 to 4 hours |
| Total | Door to first sandbar | 6 to 8 hours or more |
Stage 1: Get to Puerto Princesa
The nearest airport to Balabac is Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) in Palawan. Flights arrive daily from Manila and Cebu, and it is the starting point for every one of our expeditions. If you are already travelling in Palawan, Puerto Princesa is also reachable by long-distance bus from El Nido and from Coron via the northern route.
Plan to be in Puerto Princesa the night before your departure. Our pickups run on a fixed early schedule, so arriving the same morning is not practical.
Stage 2: The road transfer to Buliluyan Port
Balabac is not a short hop from Puerto Princesa. The drive south to Buliluyan Port, the departure point for the islands, takes roughly six hours and is included in every package as a round-trip van transfer.
On our standard 4-day expedition the first morning runs like this: a 2:00 AM pickup from your Puerto Princesa hotel, then the scenic drive south with a breakfast stop on the way, arriving at Buliluyan Port at about 8:00 AM. You will be on the water by mid-morning.
- Included: round-trip van transfer from Puerto Princesa to Buliluyan Port
- Journey time: roughly six hours each way
- Departure: 2:00 AM pickup from your hotel or the airport area
- Arrival at the port: about 8:00 AM with a breakfast stop en route
Stage 3: The boat crossing to the islands
At Buliluyan Port you board our own private, roofed boat with a licensed captain and a local guide. After a safety briefing you head out into the Sulu Sea. On a typical first day the boat reaches Canimeran Island for the first swim and lunch on the beach, then Patawan Island for snorkelling, before arriving at the campsite at Punta Sebaring for sunset and dinner.
How long does the whole journey take?
Door to door it is a full day: the flight or bus to Puerto Princesa, the six-hour road transfer, and then the boat crossing. That is exactly why our itineraries start so early and why we handle the entire chain ourselves rather than handing you between operators.
What to arrange yourself
- Flights to and from Puerto Princesa
- Travel insurance - arrange it in your own country, we do not provide it
- Any hotel nights in Puerto Princesa before or after the tour
- Personal snacks and drinks
Questions travellers ask
Do you pick up from Puerto Princesa airport?
Our pickup is from your Puerto Princesa hotel on the morning of departure, generally at 2:00 AM. Tell us where you are staying when you book and we will confirm the exact time and meeting point.
How long is the drive to Buliluyan Port?
Roughly six hours each way, with a breakfast stop. The round-trip van transfer is included in every package.
Can I get to Balabac without a tour?
You can reach Buliluyan Port by public transport, but from there you need a boat, a licensed captain and a place to camp. Our packages cover all of it, which is why most travellers let us handle the logistics.
What if my flight is delayed?
Tell us your flight details in advance. If your arrival is delayed we will advise on the best option, which is usually moving your pickup to the following morning.
Ready to check your dates?
Tell us your travel dates and how many people are travelling, and we will confirm availability, the deposit amount and the payment options.