Holiday in Palawan

About Palawan

Palawan is regularly voted the most beautiful island in the world — and those who have experienced the emerald green lagoons of El Nido, the limestone cathedrals of the Bacuit Archipelago, and the crystal-clear waters of Coron understand why. The 450-kilometer-long, narrow island in the west of the Philippines is a tropical wonderland of over 1,700 islands and islets, surrounded by some of the most biodiverse coral reefs on the planet. El Nido in the north is the crown jewel: Dramatic limestone cliffs rise from turquoise waters, hidden lagoons (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon) can only be accessed by kayak through narrow rock crevices, and white sandy beaches like Seven Commandos Beach and Nacpan Beach are among the most pristine in the world. The island-hopping tours A to D cover dozens of islands and snorkeling spots — each tour is a full day of wonder. The Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, is an 8.2-kilometer-long underground river that flows through a massive limestone cave: By boat, one glides through caverns with cathedral-sized stalactites and stalagmites, while bats and swiftlets flutter overhead. Coron in the north of Palawan is the wreck diving mecca of the world: Twelve Japanese warships from World War II lie at depths of 10 to 40 meters in Coron Bay, covered in coral and populated by schools of tropical fish. Between dives, the Kayangan Lake (the cleanest lake in the Philippines according to the government) and the Twin Lagoons beckon. The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 150 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princesa, is one of the most biodiverse marine protected areas on Earth: Over 600 species of fish, 360 species of coral, manta rays, whale sharks, and sea turtles. The park is only accessible by liveaboard dive safari (March to June).