Port Barton Island Hopping Tour: Turtle Watching in Palawan

Islands, beaches and the chance to swim with sea turtles in one morning

A shared island hopping tour in Port Barton, Palawan takes you by boat across the bay to visit multiple islands and beaches, with lunch prepared on one of them and the possibility of encountering sea turtles. Your guide meets you near the beach before 9 AM and leads the day in English or Filipino. The tour runs seven hours and includes entrance fees, life vests and all boat transfers.

The experience

Port Barton sits between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, quiet enough that the islands and beaches around it stay less crowded than the better-known spots in Palawan. Your guide meets you near the beach before 9 AM and takes you out by boat to a handful of islands and beaches dotted along the bay. The day is built around the water: you'll stop to swim at multiple sites, and if conditions and timing align, you might encounter a sea turtle in the shallows.

Lunch happens on one of the islands, prepared by the boat crew. The tour runs seven hours total, which gives you time to move between stops without rushing and to spend real time in the water at each one. You'll wear a life vest throughout, and entrance fees to the sites are already covered in the price.

The group is shared, so you'll travel with other visitors. Your guide speaks English or Filipino, so you can follow the commentary and ask questions as you go. The tour suits a free afternoon or a morning block in your Palawan itinerary, and it works best if you're comfortable in the water and have at least a moderate level of physical fitness for getting in and out of the boat and moving between islands.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to the islands and beaches.
• use of a life vest for the day.
• lunch prepared on one of the islands by the boat crew.
• all boat transfers between sites.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Youth (6 to 15 years) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Filipino

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 3.13

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Corazon Travel and Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Filipino, so you can follow along comfortably in either language. Book this tour if you have a free morning or afternoon in Port Barton and you're at ease in the water. The seven-hour day and multiple swimming stops suit someone who wants to spend real time in the bay rather than just tick off a list of islands.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Filipino.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 15 years); Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (under 3).

What's the chance of actually seeing a sea turtle on this tour?

Sea turtles do appear in Port Barton's waters, but sightings depend on the season, time of day and water conditions. The tour description notes that if you're lucky, you might swim with one, but it's not guaranteed. Your guide will know the best spots and times to look.

How much swimming time do you actually get at each island?

The tour stops at multiple islands and beaches throughout the seven hours, so you have time to swim at each one rather than just passing through. Lunch on one of the islands breaks up the day and gives you a chance to rest between stops.

What's Port Barton like compared to El Nido or Puerto Princesa?

Port Barton is a smaller, quieter town than either one, located roughly halfway between them. The islands and beaches around it see fewer tourists, which is why this tour can visit multiple sites without heavy crowds.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the meeting point?

Yes. Your guide meets you near the beach before 9 AM, but hotel pickup is not included. Public transportation options are available in Port Barton to get you to the beach.

What happens if the weather turns bad?

The tour depends on sea conditions. If weather becomes unsafe, your operator will advise you. Check their cancellation and rescheduling policy when you book.