Travelling in the Philippines : what to do in Port Barton ?

Port Barton is located on the large island of Palawan. This destination is often combined with the major tourist destinations of El Nido and Coron. But in Port Barton, you can rest easy. Although the destination is becoming increasingly popular, there are far fewer tourists. To visit Port Barton, I stayed for 4 days, which is enough time to do all the activities. But you can also stay an extra day if you want to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Let’s find out what to do in Port Barton.

How do I get to Port Barton ?

By plane : you need to arrive at Puerto Princesa airport. This airport provides a direct link between Cebu and Manila. I spent a day in Puerto Princesa and didn’t find it very interesting. I just stayed in this beautiful hotel with a rooftop pool, because I didn’t want to have to take the 3-hour van ride right after the flight.

By van : if you’re coming from El Nido, you’ll need to take a van and allow 3 hours for the drive as well.

As always in Asia, I recommend booking your van in advance to guarantee yourself a place.

Practical information :

This little haven of peace is on a human scale and everything can be done on foot or by tuktuk. I only hired a scooter for a day to go to a waterfall and to Coconut Beach and White Beach.

What to do in Port Barton ?

Island hopping

A must in Port Barton, you absolutely must book an Island Hopping trip. Although I found the scenery less impressive than in El Nido or Coron, you’ll appreciate the tranquillity and authenticity of the place. I booked through my hotel and was lucky enough to find a really nice guide who speaks good English! I’ll leave you his contact details if you want to get in touch with him directly via WhatsApp : Arnie at +669054888070.

If you can afford it, I recommend booking a private tour so you can choose the places you want to stop at. What’s more, you’ll be able to manage your time on the spot ! You should expect to pay around PHP6,000 for a private boat (i.e. around €100), or around PHP1,500 per person for a group.

There are many islands to discover, but I can recommend 4 places that are not to be missed on your boat trip to Port Barton. And above all, remember to leave as early as possible for greater peace of mind. Captains have to have papers signed before they set sail. So let yours know the day before if you want to leave early and make the most of your time.

Where to stop during your Island Hopping ?

Paradise Island

For me, Paradise Island was a real favourite. Some captains don’t want to stop there, for X reason. But this is precisely the opportunity to be alone on a microscopic island! Well, not alone. You’ll be with the island’s keeper, who lives here with his dog and cat. There’s absolutely nothing to do, but the feeling of having your own island is unique.

Maxima Island and Exotic Island

The second stop you won’t want to miss is Maxima Island Beach and Exotic Island. Here, the boat will stop between the two islands and you can walk from one to the other. Depending on the height of the tide, you’ll have more or less water to cross. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some turtles !

Twin Reef

For a real snorkelling spot, ask for a stop at Twin Reef. The coral is magnificent – okay, it’s not worth a trip to the Maldives – and you’ll see many species. The best time to do this dive is just before lunch. The light will be stronger and it’s more pleasant to swim on an empty stomach. Because, as you’ll see, lunch on Capsalay Island will be VERY hearty !

Starfish Island

I’ll end my recommendations with Starfish Island. This sandbank, or rather this small ilet, is famous for its starfish. I went there at the end of the outing to have a better chance of being alone. As you’ll have realised, this is a fairly quick stop, as there’s not much to do.

What to visit in Port Barton ?

Coconut Beach

This is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen in the Philippines. Coconut Beach lives up to its name with hundreds of palm trees. The nearby coral reefs are also great for snorkelling. The beach is long and you won’t be stuck together. The atmosphere is really peaceful. You’re likely to come across pigs and puppies. What’s more, Coconut Beach offers a beautiful view of the sunset. Entrance fee : PHP 50 per person (around €0.80).

There are three options for getting there :

• on foot : I did it, the views are nice, but don’t do it at 11am in the middle of the heat like I did. I didn’t think it would climb like that. Allow 45 minutes and don’t forget to take water with you.
• by TukTuk : most people go this way. It takes 10-15 minutes and costs 200 PHP (about €3) per trip, whether you’re on your own or in pairs.
• by scooter : this is what I personally recommend. In fact, you’ll be more flexible and the price of a day’s hire is almost the same as the round trip by TukTuk. What’s more, you’ll be able to get to White Beach more easily.

White Beach

Just beyond Coconut Beach, you’ll find the sublime White Beach. You can get there on foot from Coconut Beach. Go to the end of the beach and take the small pathway by lifting the wooden fence. It’s a 15-minute walk.

Once again, it lives up to its name ! The sand is really sublime and I find swimming more fun, as there are no small pebbles in the water. You can also spot pigs here. Be careful with your belongings, they won’t hesitate to rummage around for food. There’s a restaurant on site that I didn’t try out. Entrance fee : 50 PHP per person (about €0.80).

Pamuayan Waterfalls

Port Barton’s main attraction is its beautiful beaches, but there’s also a waterfall not to be missed. It’s in the middle of a lush forest and the path to get there is very pleasant. The water is cold, so you can cool off after a 20-minute walk. It’s a bit of a climb, but it’s accessible to everyone. The car park is free, you just need to make a donation to access the trail. I don’t think it’s compulsory, but it’s probably thanks to the maintenance that the path is so pleasant.

Where to eat/drink in Port Barton ?

I’ve eaten the best in the Philippines in Part Barton. Maybe because there are more and more new restaurants. But I really do have 3 restaurants that I can recommend to you with my eyes shut :

• Star Apple Canteen : this is the place to go for cheap, authentic food in Port Barton. It has a unique evening menu with tuna (excellent) on the BBQ and a good side dish. Special mention for the melting Chinese aubergines. Expect to pay 250 PHP, or around €4 per person.
• The Goofy Cheffe : slightly out of the centre, this little restaurant is well worth a visit. You can choose to sit upstairs, in the quiet, in a kind of hut. The staff are lovely, the food is very good and there are board games available.
• Fat Cat Bistro : close to the previous restaurant, the food is good and beautiful. Here you’ll find a menu featuring eggs Benedict, pizzas, pastas and vegetarian options.
• LaSanta : I chose to recommend this Spanish address because I’m a big fan of croquetas and they’re excellent ! The Iberian ham is also very good. The prices here are slightly higher than at the neighbouring restaurants, but the setting (very quiet) and the quality are top notch.
• Barton Bistro : a bar with its feet in the sand, ideal for sunsets ! I loved the atmosphere, but I recommend you come 1 hour before sunset to get a good seat. Drinks are a bit more expensive than elsewhere. For the record, I celebrated my birthday here and they only charged me PHP 200 (about €3) corkage fee for my bottle of champagne !

Where to stay in Port Barton ?

La Palapa Inn Port Barton : I can’t recommend this place highly enough ! The price is reasonable, the rooms are lovely and the welcome is top-notch. What’s more, you’ll enjoy the peace and quiet while still being a 5-minute walk from the centre. Scooter hire available on site for a very reasonable price.

I hope this article will help you find out what to do in Port Barton during your trip. Enjoy your stay ❤️. If you like Asia, take a look at our other travel guides on the Philippines or my 10-day itinerary in Laos !

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