Most amazing white-sand beaches, mind-blowing sandbars, swim in super clear waters and explore 250km of remote tropical islands between El Nido in South to Coron in North Palawan. If you are looking to experience all these then you shouldn’t miss this expedition in Palawan.

I had been wanting to do this for over a decade now… After a long wait, finally booked this expedition with a local operator in El nido called “Keelooma”… Although we actually wanted to do this with another operator but due to their unavailability we choose Keeloma but totally worth a decision.

Generally expedition starts from 3 days and goes upto 4 or 5 days. We choose a 3 day one starting from El nido and ending at Coron. The itinerary is simple you hop on the boat, sail for three days depending on the weather island stays or the activities in the water are planned. Nothing fixed apart from the start and end point of the tour.

We were taken from Keelooma office on a Jeepney in El Nido to the jetty which was an hour’s drive. Were greeted by the local tribal community of El Nido with their traditional dance. Then it’s time to get on the boat for the next 3 days.

On the boat, our host Jason welcomed us. After giving us a quick overview and a welcome drink, we started sailing. Our first stop of the day was Daracuton island. For the first time I swam in the water for more than a hour in the ocean without a life jacket. The sea was calm and currents weren’t too strong either. There was a beautiful wreck at a very shallow depth, so it was very easy to explore and a lot of marine life around it. You could also swim to Island and just chill until the boat crew calls you back on the boat.

Next went to Rawis Island where we stopped for Lunch and then post lunch did a bit of snorkeling. But the best part was, a traveller went to top of the boat and jumped into the ocean. All of us followed and it was great fun. Although it looked a little scary at the first but then it was all fun after that.

Last stop of the day was Megransing sandbank. This place is definitely a paradise, white sandy beach with a sandbank to walk, small waves on either side of the bank, beautiful rock formations. This cannot be explained in words that’s how it was…. Water wasn’t deep, so you could swim for about a few minutes then walk to reach the island on the opp side.

Then it’s time to go to the first remote Island camp. Almost the sunset time reached the Island camp. Boats will stop about 200 metres from the Island, we can either swim or take a kayak. Most of us preferred to swim and people in kayak helped to bring our bags to the island.

Island camp was beautifully lit up by a solar lights. Good we had some beam bags to sit on the beaches to enjoy the sunset, can play a game of beach volleyball or just take a stroll on the white sandy beach. Dinner was ready and that was followed by a session of Karaoke. This was like an ice breaker were all of us could interact and also sang together. Definitely a day to remember, wow!

Day two woke up early morning, the camp was blissful. The tents we stayed were basic but beautiful over looking the ocean and small hill on the island. Such a good experience it was to be in a remote Island without any other noise other the ocean waves and birds chirping. Suddenly you hear a big noise going on the tree, to our suprise it was monkeys.. wow!! away from the mainland by at least 100 km you find the monkeys on island….

After an early breakfast at 7:30 am, said adieu to the island and off to the boat. Started sailing to our first destination on day 2 Cobra island. We snorkeled here for a bit and then swam to the Island to explore it. Then back on the boat for the next destination.

Stop two before lunch was New Culaylayan. Here there were a lot of current, they asked us to first swim to the island and go to one corner then start snorkeling, so that the current brings us to the boat. From the boat’s top deck we  did a few more jumps as well. This was definitely worth it.

Last stop of the day was Cagdanao. This was were we saw quite a few sea turtles in action while snorkeling. Then we had to sail for couple more hours to reach out next Island camp, which was even more remote than the one we stayed the previous night.

Upon reaching the camp as usual we jumped into the ocean to swim to the Island. Here there was absolutely no network and water needs to be used very scarcely. We also saved the electricity for the night as we planned to play some games with local hosts.

Evening there was camp fire which was just surreal. Did some start gazing sitting on the beach and exchanged a few travel stories with fellow travellers before calling it a day. But few of us planned to play some games until late night.

Next morning we had an early start again…. All of us came to the beach very early to see the sunrise…. Took a stroll on the beach and tried to fly the drone but it crashed into the ocean.  After breakfast swam to the boat .. But it looked a little bit over cast, and expect some rain for the day said the boat crew.

We sailed to our first stop that was Dibugsik… It was such a beautiful place to be at first place. The rocks were just breath taking .. You can swim around this island…. Jumping from the boat was best here…. All of us jumped and so much fun around here..

Then we sailed to our next destination Depalian…. But experienced something for the first ever, could see a storm coming towards us and within mins we had a heavy rain. Boat sailed into the rain and then came out, we had a good sunshine after that… We reached Depalian, our captain said first jump into the water and do your activities. Looks like it will rain again shortly… So we had good swim for about 30-45 mins before the rain started.. So back on the boat for the final lunch before heading to our last destination Detaytayan sandbank and then we will be dropped off at Coron Island jetty.

Detaytayan sandbank was again a beautiful place, you could see shades of blue with the backdrop of the sandbank and the island. Wow! That was beautiful! It was like a good send off from the expedition after three amazing days… All final good bye to everyone on board as we get dropped off at Coron…. Crew invited us for dinner that night at a restaurant in town.