Philippines Island-Hopping Adventure: Manila to El Nido

Arrive at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) at any time. Take a metered taxi or Grab (Philippines' Uber equivalent) to your hostel in the Malate or Ermita district — budget around £5-8 for the ride. Check in, rest up after your flight, and head out to explore the nearby Intramuros walled city or grab dinner on Remedios Street.

🚌Grab taxi from MNL airport to Malate/Ermita, ~£6

🛏Mad Monkey Hostel Manila or Wanderers' Guest House, Malate — dorm from ~£8/night, private twin from ~£18/night

• →Explore Intramuros walled city (free)
• →Walk along Manila Bay at sunset (free)
• →Try local street food on Remedios Street

Take an early morning budget flight from Manila to Cebu City (Mactan-Cebu International Airport) with Cebu Pacific or AirAsia — book in advance for the best fares. From the airport, take a bus or V-hire (shared minivan) to the South Bus Terminal in Cebu City (~45 mins, £1), then catch a direct bus to Moalboal (~3 hrs, £2.50). Stop at Aguinid Falls or Mantayupan Falls en route if your timing allows — entrance is under £2. Check into your guesthouse near Panagsama Beach and grab a cocktail at one of the beachfront bars.

🚌Manila to Cebu City flight (Cebu Pacific/AirAsia), ~£25-40 booked in advance; bus/V-hire Cebu City to Moalboal, ~£3

🛏Quo Vadis Dive Resort or Hannah's Beach Resort, Moalboal — budget twin/double from ~£18-25/night

• →Visit Aguinid or Mantayupan Falls en route (£2)
• →Explore Panagsama Beach (free)
• →Beachfront bar sunset drinks

Head to Kawasan Falls for one of the Philippines' most thrilling adventures — canyoneering. Book directly with a local operator at the trailhead in Badian (habal-habal motorbike taxi from Moalboal, ~£3 each way). The canyoneering experience includes guides, safety equipment and cliff jumps through the iconic 'Gatorade Blue' turquoise water, ending at the multi-tiered Kawasan Falls. Book via GetYourGuide for a reliable operator or arrange directly at the site for a cheaper walk-in price.

🚌Habal-habal motorbike taxi from Moalboal to Badian, ~£3 each way

🛏Hannah's Beach Resort or Savedra Dive Center Cottages, Moalboal — twin from ~£18-25/night

• →Kawasan Falls canyoneering with local guide (self-book, ~£25-35 via GetYourGuide or local operator)
• →Swim at the base of Kawasan Falls (entrance ~£2)
• →Habal-habal motorbike taxi ride through the countryside

The Moalboal sardine run is one of the world's great natural spectacles — and the best bit is it's right off Panagsama Beach, just a short swim or paddle from shore. Rent a mask and snorkel from a local dive shop (~£3) and swim out independently, or join a guided snorkel trip for a few pounds more. The sardine shoal is enormous and mesmerising. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach, exploring the coral reef just offshore, or sampling fresh seafood at one of the beachside restaurants.

🚌On foot / local tricycle within Moalboal, ~£1

🛏Hannah's Beach Resort or Savedra Dive Center Cottages, Moalboal — twin from ~£18-25/night

• →Moalboal sardine run snorkel — rent gear from beach (~£3) or join guided snorkel trip (~£8-12 via local dive shop)
• →Coral reef snorkelling off Panagsama Beach (free with own/rented gear)
• →Afternoon beach relaxation
• →Fresh seafood dinner at local beach restaurant

An exciting travel day with a cultural stop en route. Take a V-hire or bus back to Cebu City South Terminal (~3 hrs, £2.50), stopping at the remarkable Simala Church (Monastery of the Holy Eucharist) in Sibonga — a stunning pilgrimage church that looks like a fairy-tale castle. Catch a bus or hire a tricycle for the Simala detour (~£2). Continue to Cebu City airport (Mactan) for your budget flight to Busuanga (Francisco B. Reyes Airport) with AirAsia or Cebu Pacific. Grab a tricycle into Coron Town (~£2) and check into your guesthouse. Explore the lively waterfront for dinner.

🚌Bus/V-hire Moalboal to Cebu City, ~£3; Cebu City to Busuanga flight (AirAsia/Cebu Pacific), ~£30-50; tricycle Busuanga airport to Coron Town, ~£2

🛏Sea Horse Inn or Coron Backpacker Guesthouse, Coron Town — budget twin from ~£18-25/night

• →Visit Simala Church, Sibonga — free entry (donations welcome)
• →Explore Coron Town waterfront market (free)
• →Sunset views from the waterfront

Coron is world-famous for its crystal-clear lagoons, Japanese WWII shipwrecks and technicolour reefs. Book a full-day island-hopping and snorkel boat tour directly at the Coron Town pier or via Klook/GetYourGuide — these cover multiple spots including Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake and Coral Garden. Lunch is typically included in local boat tours. Prices are significantly cheaper when booked locally vs. through tour operators. Wear reef-safe sunscreen and bring an underwater camera.

🚌Bangka boat included in day tour; tricycle within Coron, ~£1

🛏Sea Horse Inn or Coron Backpacker Guesthouse — twin from ~£18-25/night

• →Full-day snorkel & island-hopping tour: Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Coral Garden — book at pier or via Klook (~£20-30, often includes lunch)
• →Snorkelling Coron's famous reefs
• →Explore Coron Town nightlife in the evening

Start your morning exploring Coron Town's busy waterfront market — a colourful slice of local fishing life. Then take on the 720-step climb up Mount Tapyas for sweeping panoramic views over Coron Bay and its surrounding islands (entrance fee ~£1). In the late afternoon, hire a tricycle out to Maquinit Hot Springs (~£4 each way), a rare saltwater hot spring surrounded by mangrove forest. It's the perfect place to soak tired muscles at golden hour. Entrance to Maquinit is ~£4.

🚌On foot for market and Mount Tapyas; tricycle to Maquinit Hot Springs, ~£4 each way

🛏Sea Horse Inn or Coron Backpacker Guesthouse — twin from ~£18-25/night

• →Coron Town waterfront market (free)
• →Mount Tapyas hike for panoramic views (~£1 entrance)
• →Maquinit Hot Springs soak (~£4 entrance)
• →Mangrove forest walk around the springs

This is the centrepiece of the trip — a 3-day island-hopping expedition from Coron to El Nido on a traditional banca boat. Book this in advance through reputable local operators such as Tao Philippines (the original and most authentic operator for this route), or budget alternatives that depart from Coron pier. The Tao Philippines expedition is the gold standard (self-bookable, ~£200-280pp for 3 days all-inclusive: meals, island stays, snorkelling, guides) but budget alternatives exist from ~£80-120pp. Tonight you'll sleep in a traditional Filipino hut or beachside camp on a remote island.

🚌Traditional banca boat departure from Coron Town pier — included in multi-day boat expedition booking

🛏Overnight on remote island in traditional Filipino huts — included in boat expedition package (~£80-280pp for 3 days depending on operator)

• →Board traditional banca boat at Coron pier
• →Island hopping through the Calamian archipelago
• →Snorkelling in deserted bays
• →Sleeping in traditional Filipino huts on a remote island
• →Sunset on deck

Day two on the banca boat. Wake up on your remote island and continue sailing south towards Palawan, passing dazzling white-sand beaches and dramatic limestone formations. The crew will stop at snorkelling spots teeming with colourful marine life. Meals are prepared fresh on board or at beach camp. Soak up the sun on deck, swim in glassy lagoons, and enjoy the magic of being completely off-grid. Tonight's beach camp comes with a soundtrack of waves and stars.

🚌Traditional banca boat (included in multi-day expedition)

🛏Beach camp on remote Palawan island — included in boat expedition package

• →Open water sailing between remote islands
• →Snorkelling at multiple reef stops
• →Beach walking on uninhabited islands
• →Fresh-cooked meals at beach camp
• →Stargazing from the beach

The banca boat expedition ends as you arrive into El Nido — a jaw-dropping setting of towering limestone karsts and turquoise lagoons. Check into your guesthouse in town (book ahead as El Nido fills up fast). This evening, explore the bustling bar and restaurant strip along Hama Street and Calle Hama — El Nido has a fantastic food scene with fresh seafood at low prices. Try the local kinilaw (Filipino ceviche) and a cold San Miguel. Plan your island-hopping tours for the next two days.

🚌Banca boat arrival at El Nido port (included in expedition)

🛏El Nido Boutique & Art Hotel, Spin Designer Hostel, or Frendz Resort El Nido — budget twin from ~£18-28/night

• →Arrive El Nido by boat
• →Explore El Nido town and Hama Street food strip
• →Book local island-hopping tours (Tour A & Tour C available at town pier from ~£12-18pp)
• →Fresh seafood dinner

Get a bird's-eye view of El Nido's spectacular landscape on a jungle canopy walk with views of Cadlao Island and the soaring karst cliffs. This can be arranged through local guesthouses or operators in town — ask at your accommodation for the latest options (~£8-15). In the afternoon, treat yourself to a traditional Filipino massage at one of the many affordable massage parlours in El Nido town — a one-hour massage typically costs £6-10. Spend the evening exploring the nightlife along Calle Hama.

🚌On foot within El Nido town; tricycle if needed, ~£1

🛏El Nido Boutique & Art Hotel, Spin Designer Hostel, or Frendz Resort — budget twin from ~£18-28/night

• →El Nido jungle canopy walk with views of Cadlao Island (~£8-15, bookable via local operators or your guesthouse)
• →Traditional Filipino massage, 1 hour (~£6-10 at local parlour)
• →Explore El Nido's cocktail bars and night scene

Make the most of your last full day in paradise! Head to Nacpan Beach — a 4km sweep of golden sand widely regarded as one of the best beaches in the Philippines. Hop on a shared Jeepney from El Nido town (ask locally for departures, ~£1.50 each way) or hire a motorbike for ~£8/day. Spend the morning swimming and sunbathing on the nearly empty beach. Stop at a local organic farm on the way back — several welcome visitors for a small donation. Round off the trip with a farewell dinner at a beachfront restaurant in El Nido. Splurge a little — you've earned it!

🚌Shared Jeepney El Nido to Nacpan Beach, ~£1.50 each way; or motorbike hire ~£8/day

🛏El Nido Boutique & Art Hotel, Spin Designer Hostel, or Frendz Resort — budget twin from ~£18-28/night

• →Jeepney or motorbike ride to Nacpan Beach (~£1.50 each way shared jeepney)
• →Nacpan Beach swimming and relaxing (free)
• →Visit local organic farm (small donation)
• →Farewell dinner at El Nido beachfront restaurant (~£10-15)

Time to say goodbye to paradise. El Nido Airport (ENI) has limited and expensive flights, so consider the minibus to Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) instead — the journey takes 5-7 hours and minibuses depart from the El Nido bus terminal from 5am (~£8-10). Book your minibus ticket the day before at the terminal or via a local travel agency. Alternatively, fly direct from El Nido Airport if you can find affordable options. Either way, allow plenty of time for connections. You can also extend your Palawan adventure independently from here!

🚌Shared minibus El Nido to Puerto Princesa (PPS), ~£9; or tricycle to El Nido Airport (ENI), ~£5

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Early minibus to Puerto Princesa Airport if required (~£8-10, ~5-7 hrs)
• →Or taxi to El Nido Airport (ENI) for direct flights (~£5, ~30 mins)
• →Departure