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We do not chase reviews, and we do not ask guests to post them publicly.
Most reviews online today are fake, paid for, or collected by offering something in return. We are not joining that. We also respect our guests’ privacy: visiting Balabac is, for many people, a private experience, and we do not think a trip should cost someone their anonymity.
If you want to hear from past guests before you book, ask us. We will connect you directly in a private chat, with that guest’s permission. We do not publish their names, faces or photos, and we do not turn their holiday into marketing.
How we handle reviews
- We do not ask guests for reviews, and we never make one a condition of booking
- We do not publish a guest name, face or photo without permission
- Most public reviews today are fake, paid for, or given in exchange for something
- References are shared privately, in a chat, with the guest consent
- If you want to hear from a past guest, ask us and we will connect you
Ask us for references
If you are deciding whether to book and would like to speak to someone who has travelled with us, ask. With our guests permission we are happy to put you in touch with people who have been on the expedition, which is worth more than a star rating.
What guests mention most
- Arriving at Onok Island before the day-trippers
- The crew - it is our family, not seasonal staff
- How much is included for the price, from the van transfer to the meals
- The remoteness, and being offline for a few days
- The camping being genuinely basic, which some guests love and some do not
Why we do not collect public reviews
- Message us on WhatsApp with your review
- Tell us your tour dates and which route you took
- Tell us how you would like to be credited
- We will publish it as written
Questions travellers ask
Where can I read reviews about you?
Our reviews live in private conversations, not on a public page. Guests who travelled with us tell their friends, message us afterwards, and pass our number on. If you are deciding whether to book, ask us and we will connect you with a past guest directly, with their permission.
Why do you not publish reviews?
Because most public reviews today are fake, paid for, or collected by offering something in return, and because we will not trade our guests’ privacy for marketing. We would rather answer your questions directly and let you speak to a real past guest than hand you a wall of stars we cannot vouch for.
Can I speak to a past guest before booking?
Yes. Ask us and, with our guest’s permission, we will put you in touch so you can hear about the trip directly. We do this in a private chat rather than publicly, out of respect for their privacy.
Ask us for a reference
Message us and we will happily connect you with guests who have travelled with us.
Guest privacy and verification
We do not ask for reviews and we do not make them a condition of anything. We never publish a guest’s name, face or photo without permission. We hold to data privacy and to a simple ethic: you paid for a trip, not for a marketing obligation.
What you can check instead: we are a Balabac family, we run our own boats, we hold municipal business permits, and we will send you what we hold if you ask.