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Two routes, one boat, one campsite. The only real question is how much time you have and how much slack you want in the schedule if the weather turns.
Side by side
| 3-Day Essential Balabac | 4-Day Balabac Expedition | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days, 2 nights | 4 days, 3 nights |
| Price, group of 4 | PHP 17,800 per person | PHP 19,800 per person |
| Groups of 5 to 10 | PHP 17,500 per person | PHP 17,500 per person |
| Campsite | Punta Sebaring, Bugsuk Island | Punta Sebaring, Bugsuk Island |
| Onok Island | Included | Included, before the day-trippers arrive |
| Format | Joiner or private | Joiner or private |
| The difference | A compact route for a shorter Palawan trip | One extra full day on the water, adding Mansalangan, Canibungan and Tangkahan |
Joiner or private?
| Joiner departure | Private charter | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is on the boat | You and other travellers | Your group only |
| Boat | Shared, costs split | The whole boat is yours |
| Campsite | Shared camp | Reserved for your group only |
| Price | Published per-person rates | Quoted for your group, message us |
| Best for | Solo travellers, couples, small groups | Families and friend groups who want privacy |
What is identical on both tours
- 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 and environmental fees
- A beachfront campsite run by a local family at Punta Sebaring
- Shared toilets, fresh water and generator power from 6 PM to 10 PM
- A stop at Onok Island
- Joiner or private booking available
What you get for the extra day
The 4-day expedition adds a full additional day on the water. On the published route that day covers Mansalangan Sandbar, the longest sandbar in the area, Canibungan Island for snorkelling and the quieter Tangkahan Island. It also gives you a buffer: if one day is lost to swell or a Coast Guard advisory, a four-day trip has somewhere to make it up. A three-day trip does not.
Which should you book?
- Choose the 4-day expedition if you want to see every major island, or if you are travelling a long way to get here
- Choose the 3-day Essential Balabac if your Palawan itinerary is tight and you mainly want Onok Island and the sandbars
- Either way, message us and we will tell you honestly which one suits your dates
Questions travellers ask
Is the 4-day tour worth the extra?
If you have the time, yes. It covers every major island and sandbar and gives you a day of slack if the weather turns. If your trip is short, the 3-day version still includes Onok Island and the sandbars.
Do both tours use the same campsite?
Yes. Both camp at a beachfront campsite run by a local family on Punta Sebaring, Bugsuk Island.
Can I decide later which tour to take?
Yes. Tell us your dates and we will hold them while you decide, then confirm with a deposit.
Not sure which to pick?
Tell us how many days you have in Palawan and we will recommend the right route for your group.