DIY Island Hopping Adventure in Palawan & Coron (Self-Launched)
10 days · Philippines
Much Better Adventures charges £1,750
No-markup version: ~£465 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of the classic Palawan & Coron island-hopping route. Kayak through El Nido's limestone lagoons, snorkel WWII shipwrecks in Coron, camp on a remote island in the Sulu Sea and cycle the walled city of Intramuros — all independently, at your own pace and a fraction of the tour cost. This DIY equivalent swaps boutique hotels and guided logistics for well-reviewed guesthouses, direct bookings with local boat operators, public ferries and domestic flights between the same must-see islands.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Manila & settle in
Manila
Fly into Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL). Take a Grab taxi or airport shuttle (~£8) into the city and check into a well-reviewed budget hotel or hostel in Makati or Malate, such as Z Hostel or Lub D Philippines. Spend the afternoon exploring. In the evening head to a local eatery for classic Filipino street food like sisig, lechon and adobo. If time allows, walk along Manila Bay's famous sunsets and the Dolomite Beach promenade.
🚌Grab taxi or airport shuttle from MNL to city (~£8)
🛏Budget hostel in Makati/Malate (~£12)
- →Arrive at Manila (MNL) and transfer to your hostel via Grab or shuttle
- →Evening food crawl through a local night market for classic Filipino dishes
Cycle Manila's Intramuros then fly to Puerto Princesa
Manila to Port Barton
Start the morning cycling through Intramuros, the Spanish walled city, renting a bamboo bike from the Bambike social enterprise (~£8) — supporting the same local community project the tour uses. See Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church and the cobblestone streets. After a local lunch, take a Grab to the airport (~£8) for the 1.5-hour domestic flight to Puerto Princesa (~£45 with Cebu Pacific or PAL). From the airport, join a shared van transfer (~£7) on the 3.5-hour coastal drive north to the laid-back village of Port Barton. Check into a beachfront guesthouse.
🚌Cycling (local rental), Grab, domestic flight (~£45), shared van (~£7)
🛏Beachfront guesthouse in Port Barton (~£14)
- →Rent a Bambike bicycle and self-guided cycle tour of Intramuros
- →Visit Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church
- →Domestic flight Manila to Puerto Princesa
- →Shared van transfer to Port Barton
Kayak the islands of Port Barton
Port Barton
Join a local island-hopping kayak tour from Port Barton's main beach (bookable directly with local operators along the beachfront for ~£18 including lunch). Paddle through Twin Reef, Fantastic Reef, Exotic Island, Maxima Island, Turtle Sanctuary and Starfish Island Sandbar. Go snorkelling over coral and swim from white sandbars. Pause for a picnic lunch on the sand before returning in the afternoon to watch sunset over the bay from a beachfront bar. Dinner at one of the small local restaurants serving freshly caught seafood.
🚌Kayak rental and group boat included in local day tour
🛏Beachfront guesthouse in Port Barton (~£14)
- →Local-guided island-hopping kayak and snorkel tour
- →Snorkel coral reefs and Starfish Island Sandbar
- →Sunset on Port Barton main beach
Jungle hike to Pamuayan Falls, then head to El Nido
Port Barton to El Nido
Hire a motorbike or tricycle (~£5 return) to reach the trailhead for Pamuayan Falls, a 4-mile jungle hike through forest and bamboo groves ending at a 98-foot waterfall with a clear plunge pool. Swim and relax before heading back. In the afternoon, take a shared van transfer (4 hours, ~£12) to El Nido town. Check into a well-reviewed budget guesthouse or hostel (like Outpost Beach Hostel or Spin Designer Hostel). Evening walk along El Nido's beach and a casual dinner in town.
🚌Tricycle (~£5), shared van (~£12)
🛏Budget hostel/guesthouse in El Nido (~£15)
- →Tricycle to Pamuayan Falls trailhead and jungle hike
- →Swim in the waterfall plunge pool
- →Shared van transfer from Port Barton to El Nido
Classic El Nido island-hopping tour (Tour A)
El Nido
Join the legendary El Nido 'Tour A' banca boat trip (bookable at any tour desk in town or via Klook/GetYourGuide for ~£25 including lunch). Visit the Secret Lagoon, where you paddle a kayak through a narrow gap in the limestone to a hidden caldera interior, then Shimizu Island with its dramatic cliffs, the emerald Big Lagoon and Seven Commandos Beach. Snorkel coral gardens looking for turtles. Return to town late afternoon and pick a beachfront restaurant for dinner from the freshly grilled seafood market.
🚌Group banca boat (included in tour A)
🛏Budget hostel/guesthouse in El Nido (~£15)
- →El Nido Tour A island-hopping by banca boat
- →Kayak into Secret Lagoon and swim at Big Lagoon
- →Snorkel coral reefs at Shimizu Island
- →Relax at Seven Commandos Beach
Linapacan island expedition and beach camping
Linapacan Islands
Join a 2-day/1-night Linapacan expedition from El Nido (~£55 all-inclusive), sailing to the group of 52 islands famed for crystalline water. Snorkel the reefs, swim off deserted beaches, kayak quiet bays and explore the million-year-old Seniora Caves and an old Spanish fortress. Overnight you'll camp under the stars on a remote off-grid island of the Sulu Sea with no electricity and no light pollution — bring a headlamp and power bank for epic stargazing.
🚌Group expedition boat (included)
🛏Wild camping on remote island (included in tour)
- →2-day/1-night Linapacan island-hopping expedition
- →Snorkel pristine reefs and kayak secluded bays
- →Explore Seniora Caves and Spanish fortress ruins
- →Wild beach camping under the stars in the Sulu Sea
Cruise onward to Coron
Linapacan to Coron
Wake to the ocean on your remote island, enjoy a camp breakfast of fresh fruit and eggs, then continue sailing north through Linapacan towards Coron. The journey is a scenic six-hour cruise through untouched islands and turquoise bays, with swim and snorkel stops over thriving coral. Arrive in the laid-back coastal town of Coron late afternoon and check into a well-located budget guesthouse such as Coron Ecolodge or Baya Norte. Relax, then enjoy a quiet local dinner near town.
🚌Group boat (included in expedition)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Coron (~£15)
- →Scenic boat cruise from Linapacan to Coron
- →Mid-journey swim and snorkel stops
- →Arrive and settle into Coron guesthouse
Mount Tapyas hike and Maquinit Hot Springs
Coron town
A relaxed morning exploring Coron town and its local market. In the early evening, climb the 700 steps to the Mount Tapyas viewing deck for sweeping views of the town, Coron Bay and the surrounding limestone hills. After descending, ride a tricycle (~£3) to the southern coast to unwind in Maquinit Hot Springs, one of the world's rare saltwater thermal pools heated by an underground volcano. Entrance ~£2.5. Optional: book a scuba dive with one of Coron's dive centres if you want to explore the famous wrecks. Dinner in town.
🚌Walking and local tricycle (~£3)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Coron (~£15)
- →Explore Coron town and local market
- →Climb 700 steps to Mount Tapyas viewpoint
- →Soak in Maquinit Hot Springs saltwater thermal pools
Coron Island lagoons, SUP and Skeleton Wreck
Coron Island
Join the classic Coron Island-hopping tour (Tour A, ~£28 including lunch) by banca boat. Stand-up paddleboard around lagoons, stop for lunch at Calachuchi Beach, then hike the short trail up to the viewpoint over Kayangan Lake — famed as one of the cleanest lakes in the Philippines — before swimming in its glassy water. Explore the hidden Twin Lagoons, snorkeling beneath the rock gap, and finish by snorkelling over the Skeleton Wreck, a WWII Japanese ship now encrusted with coral and alive with fish. Celebrate your final night with a group-style dinner of fresh seafood in town.
🚌Group banca boat (included in tour)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Coron (~£15)
- →Coron island-hopping by banca boat (Tour A)
- →SUP and swim at Kayangan Lake
- →Explore hidden Twin Lagoons
- →Snorkel the WWII Skeleton Wreck
Ferry, flight and farewell to the Philippines
Coron to Manila
Book a morning shared van + ferry combo transfer (~£12) or a direct domestic flight from Busuanga Airport back to Manila (~£55, check schedule). If flying, allow for the drive from Coron town to the airport. On arrival in Manila, take a Grab to Ninoy Aquino International Airport for your international connection. If your flight departs late, consider adding a cheap night near the airport for buffer. Head home with sandy bags and a head full of island memories.
🚌Shared van + ferry (~£12) or domestic flight (~£55), Grab transfer (~£10)
🛏N/A (departure) or budget airport hotel if needed (~£15)
- →Transfer from Coron town to Busuanga airport
- →Domestic flight Busuanga to Manila
- →Transfer to international terminal for departure
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£465 | £1,750 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,285 per person (73%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£465
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does DIY Island Hopping Adventure in Palawan & Coron (Self-Launched) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £465 per person for 10 days in Philippines. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £1,750 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £465 — a saving of roughly £1,285 (73%) per person.
How long is the Philippines trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Philippines.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, beaches, snorkeling trip through Philippines, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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