Home / Balabac tours / 3D2N Essential Balabac
The compact Balabac trip: three days and two nights on the islands, with a full day on the water, a included stop at Onok Island, snorkelling and the shifting white sands of the Balabac sandbars. ₱17,800 per person for a group of 4.
Tour overview
Essential Balabac is built for travellers with limited time in Palawan. It uses the same boat, the same crew, the same campsite at Punta Sebaring and the same all-inclusive format as our full expedition, in a shorter window.
- Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
- Price: PHP 17,800 per person, group of 4
- Departs from: Puerto Princesa, Palawan
- Format: joiner departure or private charter
- Camp: a beachfront campsite run by a local family, Punta Sebaring, Bugsuk Island
- Included: a visit to Onok Island
How the three days run
The shape of the trip is the same as our expedition. You are collected from your Puerto Princesa hotel in the early hours, drive south to Buliluyan Port with a breakfast stop, and board our private boat mid-morning on day one. You spend a full day on the water with a included stop at Onok Island plus swimming, snorkelling and the sandbars, sleep two nights at our beachfront camp on Punta Sebaring with dinner under the stars, and return to Puerto Princesa on the third day.
Because it is a shorter trip, the exact island list is tighter than the 4-day route and is confirmed on the day by sea conditions, tide and Coast Guard clearance. If your priority is covering every major island, take the 4-day Balabac Expedition instead.
What's included
- Round-trip van transfer from Puerto Princesa to Buliluyan Port
- Private, roofed boat with a licensed captain and local guide
- Coast Guard clearance obtained before every trip
- All meals for the duration of the trip
- 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 to 10 PM)
- A stop at Onok Island
What's not included
- 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
Is three days enough?
Three days gives you a real Balabac experience: Onok Island, the sandbars, reef snorkelling and two nights camping on a remote beach. What it does not give you is slack in the schedule. If a day is lost to weather, the shorter route has less room to recover, which is the main argument for the 4-day trip.
Questions travellers ask
How much is the 3-day Balabac tour?
PHP 17,800 per person for a group of 4, all-inclusive from Puerto Princesa. Groups of 5 to 10 pay PHP 17,500 per person.
What is the difference from the 4-day tour?
The 4-day Balabac Expedition adds a full extra day on the water, covering every major island and sandbar, and gives you more room to absorb a weather change. The 3-day version keeps the same boat, crew, campsite and inclusions in a shorter window.
Is Onok Island included?
Yes, Onok Island is included on this tour as well.
Can we book it as a private tour?
Yes. Message us for a private charter rate for your group and dates.
Ready to check your dates?
Tell us your dates and how many people are travelling, and we will confirm availability, the deposit amount and the payment options.