Port Barton Island Hopping: Snorkel Twin Reef & Starfish

Wade through starfish shallows, then dive into two thriving coral reefs in a single morning.

A full-day island-hopping tour from Port Barton takes you to five stops: Maxima and Exotic Islands for swimming, a sandbar where starfish gather in knee-deep water, Twin Reef and Fantastic Reef for snorkeling among coral and fish, and a turtle sanctuary focused on conservation. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours with a local English-speaking guide, includes a buffet lunch on the island, all snorkeling gear, and underwater photos. Pickup is from Port Barton proper.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day island hopping tour

• Visit Maxima Island for snorkeling
• Relax at Exotic Island beach
• Explore Port Barton Sandbar and Starfish Place
• Snorkel at Twin Reef
• Snorkel at Fantastic Reef
• Visit Turtle Sanctuary for conservation tour

The experience

The route strings together five distinct stops, each one a different reason to get in the water. You start at Maxima Island and Exotic Island for swimming in open bays, then move to the sandbar: a natural formation where starfish live in the shallows and you can wade in and photograph them without diving. The two reef sites, Twin Reef and Fantastic Reef, are where the snorkeling happens: both sit in clear water with dense coral formations and schools of fish, and visibility is good enough to spot detail. The turtle sanctuary closes the loop, letting you see sea turtles in a setting built around their protection rather than just viewing them in passing.

Lunch is a buffet served on the island midway through the day, so you eat between the swimming stops and the reef dives. Your guide speaks English and knows the local sites well enough to point out what lives where and why the sanctuary matters. The boat carries a small group. The itinerary does not state a maximum, but the stops themselves suggest a manageable size. You get a life vest, mask, snorkel, and fins. The operator also provides free underwater photos or video of the snorkeling portions, which arrive after the tour ends.

Pickup happens in Port Barton proper. If you're staying in San Vicente, you'll need to arrange your own transport to the departure point. The full day runs 7 to 8 hours from start to finish, so plan to be ready early and back by late afternoon. Infants can come if they sit on an adult's lap, and the tour suits all fitness levels. The swimming and snorkeling are optional in pace, and wading at the starfish sandbar requires no swimming at all.

What’s included

• Life vest, mask, snorkel and fins.
• buffet lunch on the island.
• free underwater photos and video from the snorkeling stops.
• a local English-speaking guide for the full day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (4 to 6 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 12 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by El Nido Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?The tour moves between five stops over 7 to 8 hours with boat travel between each one, so you're in and out of the water rather than spending long stretches at a single site. This pace suits travelers who want variety and don't want to linger. If you prefer a slower rhythm or a deeper dive into one reef, a single-site snorkeling trip would fit better.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 6 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between Twin Reef and Fantastic Reef on this tour?

Twin Reef and Fantastic Reef are both snorkeling sites in Port Barton with vibrant coral and marine life, but Twin Reef is known for excellent visibility and colorful coral formations, while Fantastic Reef emphasizes its diverse array of coral species and schools of fish. Both offer clear water and are considered highlights for snorkelers.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to snorkel at the reefs?

The tour suits all fitness levels and snorkeling is optional in pace. You can enter the water at your own comfort level. The reefs sit in clear, shallow-to-moderate depths, and you'll have a life vest and full snorkeling gear provided. The starfish sandbar is even gentler, with water shallow enough to wade.

Is the turtle sanctuary a hands-on encounter or observation only?

The Turtle Sanctuary in Port Barton is set up for observation and education: you'll see sea turtles up close and learn about conservation efforts and their role in the marine ecosystem. It's designed as a learning stop rather than a touching or feeding experience.