HIGHLIGHTS
- Sail among beautiful limestone cliffs in the crystal clear waters of the Calamianes Islands
- Swim and snorkel with colorful fish, among beautiful corals and have a chance to see dugongs and turtles
- Meet the friendly local tribe and experience their way of living
- Sleep on white sandy beaches under the stars
- This trip is 5 days and 4 nights
- Minimum number of participants is 4
The Calamianes Islands in Northern Palawan are a magical collage of jagged, jungle-covered limestone cliffs, palm fringed islands and lakes as clear as glass. We will visit stunning white sandy beaches all to ourselves, grill fresh fish above our campfire, sleep under the stars, snorkel amongst colorful reefs, WW II wrecks, turtles and (fingers crossed) dugongs. To swim with these gentle, herbivorous sea mammals that grow up to three meters in length, is a truly unforgettable experience. The crown jewel, though, is undoubtedly Coron Island itself with its secret lagoons and towering, sculptured shards of limestone which give the place a bewitching, pre-historic feel. The island is owned by a tribe who is living here for centuries. This tribe makes their living predominantly from collecting highly valued swallow nests. Through delicate and sensitive negotiations we have been granted special permission to sail along the island’s spectacular southern and eastern shores and stay with local families at the seldom-visited indigenous community.
The best time of the year for this trip is between December and May.
DESCRIPTION
On the first day we will pick you up from the airport and bring you to an eco friendly establishment with great views of the mangroves and with a fabulous sunset. It is a perfect spot to relax for the rest of the day before sailing off tomorrow.
The next few days we will spend on our boat cruising on the crystal clear waters of this magic location. Our first destination is a beautiful lake. We will hike a short distance before taking a swim into its blue waters. We will then head for a beautiful hidden lagoon; a Jurassic amphitheater of towering, jagged limestones whose waters have a lovely white sandy bottom and a shimmering thermocline through which it is possible to swim and experience the change in water temperature. There will also be time for some sea kayaking amongst the beautiful karst scenery. Later in the afternoon we will sail towards one of the main tribe settlements. The large fishing village is set in a spectacular bay, framed by mangroves and sheltered by an outer reef. We will spend the night in a basic, local homestay and enjoy a hearty dinner prepared by the local people.
The next morning we sail to a dramatic, secluded cove dotted with nipa fishing huts. It is a perfect place for a swim before embarking on a guided trek over jagged limestones to arrive at a white sandy cove on the other side of the headland. From here we should also have time to explore another stunning limestone bay. We will spend the night on an Island which has a large white sandy beach and various fish species on their house reef. This is our base camp. You can enjoy a swim, relax and feast on freshly caught fish under the stars.
Today we will set course for Sangat Island and its natural volcanic hot springs nestled behind the mangroves. Depending on the tides it should be possible to relax and soak up the warm waters and natural surroundings before heading towards the Luzong wreck. The WW II wreck (in September 1944) is one of the two wrecks in Coron that has its coral encrusted bow just one meter under water so makes it perfect for snorkeling. A little further away there is also a beautiful coral garden that is often inhabited by cruising hawksbill sea turtles. Later in the afternoon we will head to one of the most pristine isolated islands in the archipelago of Busuanga Western Coasts. Here we have a beach camp to relax on the squeaky white sand, watch the sunset and enjoy our fresh prepared meal.
The final day we will drop you off at the airport.
Price includes:
- Full boat charter of your own
- Private expedition banca with captain
- Boat crew
- All accommodation and excursions as outlined in the trip schedule
- Unlimited use of sea kayak, snorkeling gear etc.
- All private transfers throughout your trip
- All meals and drinks (excluding alcohol)
- chef and expedition guide
Price excludes:
- Flights to Coron (Busuanga)
- Additional costs upon arrival will be minimal and limited to a few alcoholic drinks along the way
There might be other participants on the boat with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 15. The average number of people is 8.
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