All islands
Philippines·Sulu Sea, Western Philippines
Palawan
The Philippines’ last frontier
LagoonsIsland-hoppingDiving
OverviewAt a glance
A long, wild island of jagged limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons and secret beaches, Palawan is repeatedly voted the world’s best island. El Nido and Coron offer surreal karst-ringed lagoons, WWII wreck dives and endless island-hopping.
- Best season
- December – May (dry season)
- Getting there
- Puerto Princesa (PPS) & El Nido (ENI) airports — flights from Manila & Cebu
- Known for
- El Nido lagoons & limestone karst
Signature beachesShores
Nacpan Beach
Four kilometres of twin golden bays
Hidden Beach
A secret beach tucked behind a limestone cleft
Kayangan Lake
Coron’s clearest crater-lake swim
Things to doTo do
El Nido lagoon tour
Kayak into the emerald waters of the big and small lagoons
Coron wreck diving
Dive a WWII Japanese shipwreck
Underground River
Tour the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a World Heritage site
Good to knowTips
- 1Island-hops charge an eco fee — carry cash
- 2Rainy season (Jun–Oct) brings typhoons; island-hops often cancel
- 3El Nido and Coron are linked by boat or plane — plan them separately
Next island
Cebu