Plan your journey through Palawan with our recommended routes.
Want to avoid vacationing in beaches full of tourists? Halfway between El Nido and Puerto Princesa is Port Barton, a picturesque fishing village that has remained untouched and well-preserved. This is the perfect place to escape from busy tourist crowds and enjoy an off-the-beaten-path adventure. Compare our Port Barton island hopping tours.
Tour A
Best all-round first choice
Tour B
Best for snorkeling and reefs
Tour C
Best for mixed scenery, beaches, viewpoints, and waterfalls
Quick summary: Tour A is best for classic Port Barton island hopping with the strongest mix of snorkeling, reefs, sea turtles, and sandbar scenery; Tour B is best for guests who want a reef-heavy day with more snorkeling focus, a relaxed beach stop, and a quieter exploratory feel around Port Barton’s less-famous marine sites; and Tour C is best for travelers who want more land scenery mixed into the day, with beaches, viewpoints, waterfalls, and a broader taste of San Vicente beyond the usual snorkeling circuit.
Getting there
Located in the district of San Vicente about halfway between El Nido and Puerto Princesa, regular and private vans and buses are available from either. The journey takes about 3-4 hours. Meanwhile, the trip between Puerto Princesa and El Nido takes about six hours.
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Accommodation
Port Barton: A Hidden Gem of Palawan
Port Barton’s untouched natural beauty sets it apart from other crowded and touristic destinations in the country. Here, you can dig your toes in powdery soft sand and indulge in your favorite water activities in its crystal clear, blue waters. Discover the waters of Port Barton and be ready for more aquatic adventures with its vibrant coral reefs, teeming marine life. Or better yet, swim with sea turtles and get lost in a kaleidoscope of tropical fishes!
Get to know Port Barton more!
Unparalleled Natural Beauty
Port Barton’s true allure lies in its untouched natural beauty. Unlike some of the more commercialized destinations in the Philippines, Port Barton offers a more pristine and unspoiled environment. The turquoise waters are crystal clear, perfect for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts who wish to explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself swimming alongside sea turtles and a kaleidoscope of tropical fish!
You can check out this page for a traveler’s experience of stumbling onto this beauty and all the sites and experiences it offers.
A Beach Lover’s Paradise
Port Barton is blessed with amazing beaches. These serene beaches are what a tired soul needs away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here, you can let go of your worries and stressful thoughts as you relax in a calming white sand beach with swaying palm trees around you with the sound of gentle lapping waves.
Port Barton’s Epic Eco-Tourism
Port Barton’s commitment to sustainable tourism is exemplary. Its community is deeply involved in sustainable efforts to preserve the environment. Visiting the island supports its community’s eco-tourism drive.
Cultural Immersion and Simplicity
Experience a slow-paced, simple life at Port Barton, away from modern technology’s distractions. Engage in a cultural immersion in a friendly and welcoming community. From enjoying local cuisine to participating in community activities, you will have a bird’s eye view of the island’s traditional way of life.
Port Barton offers both a vacation and an experience you will remember.
If you are looking forward to reconnecting with nature, enjoying alone time, and learning a new culture, Port Barton is the place to be. Whether you are an adventure seeker or a tired soul looking for a tranquil retreat, Port Barton waits for you! Don’t miss this chance to enjoy its unspoiled and understated charm!
Island Hopping Adventures
Island hopping is a must-do when in Port Barton. Explore nearby islands and hidden coves, each having its charm. An abundance of natural wonders awaits, from the stunning waterfalls on Papawyan Island to the snorkelling paradise of Exotic Island. One can also enjoy delicious, freshly cooked seafood lunches on the boat.
Private boat tours
Following are the private boat tours we offer in Port Barton.
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
✅License Boat Transfer
✅Passes
✅Licenced tour guide
✅Island and Environmental Fees
✅Buffet Lunch and Refreshment
✅Free use of Snorkeling Mask
✅Free GoPro Underwater and Drone shots
✅Free use of Crystal Kayak (Pictorial)
✅Official Reciept BIR (If needed)
PACKAGE EXCLUSION:
❌Eco Tax Fee of 200p per pax
Tour A
Twin Reef
Exotic Island
Turtle Sanctuary
Paradise Island
Fantastic Reef
Starfish Sand Bar
Tour A is the best fit for visitors who want the classic Port Barton experience in one private day: reefs, snorkeling, possible turtle encounters, clear blue water, island stops, and a photogenic sandbar. With stops including Twin Reef, Exotic Island, Turtle Sanctuary, Paradise Island, Fantastic Reef, and Starfish Sand Bar, this route is the strongest all-round introduction to what makes Port Barton special. It combines some of the area’s best-known marine highlights with a relaxed island-hopping rhythm, so it works especially well for first-time visitors who want a little bit of everything rather than focusing only on one style of stop.
Expect the day to revolve around snorkeling and swimming in some of Port Barton’s best-loved reef areas. We have already highlighted Port Barton with its vibrant coral reefs, tropical fish, and the chance to swim with sea turtles, exactly the kinds of experiences Tour A is built around. Fantastic Reef is known in outside travel guides for colorful corals and marine life, while starfish areas around San Vicente are also a recognized highlight — best appreciated by observing rather than handling the starfish. Exotic Island is also commonly mentioned as one of the popular island-hopping stops in the wider Port Barton area.
In practical terms, Tour A is the safest recommendation for guests who ask, “Which Port Barton tour should I do if I only have one day?” It delivers the strongest “Port Barton postcard” feeling: reefs below the surface, soft sand above it, shallow turquoise water, and a good chance of seeing the marine life the area is known for. If your priority is the most iconic mix of snorkeling and island scenery, this is the one I would position as the default choice.
Tour B
Aquruim Reef
Wide Reef
Lagoon Reef
Capsalay Beach
Maxima Island
Reef #5
Tour B is a strong choice for guests who want a more reef-focused and exploratory day, with less emphasis on the headline turtle-and-sandbar combination of Tour A and more attention on different snorkeling spots and a quieter beach stop. This route includes Aquarium Reef, Wide Reef, Lagoon Reef, Capsalay Beach, Maxima Island, and Reef #5, making it the most marine-oriented of the three island-hopping options. It is especially suitable for travelers who already know they enjoy being in the water and want a day shaped more by reefs, coral gardens, and varied snorkeling sites.
What makes this route appealing is the sense of variation within the water-focused theme. Port Barton and the greater San Vicente area are widely described as having clear waters, coral-rich snorkeling zones, and a slower, less commercial feel than more famous Palawan destinations. Tour B leans into that strength. Maxima Island is also mentioned in broader San Vicente travel guides as one of the island-hopping stops from Port Barton, and Naonao / nearby reef areas in San Vicente are known for coral and marine life, which supports positioning this tour as the “snorkeling lovers” option.
For guests deciding between tours, Tour B would be the best fit for those who want a slightly more low-key and reef-centric day rather than the most famous overall route. It should appeal to people who are happy spending more of their day jumping between snorkeling stops, enjoying the underwater scenery, and breaking it up with a quieter beach pause at Capsalay. If Tour A is the broad all-rounder, Tour B is the more underwater-leaning choice. That last line is partly an inference from the stop list, but it fits the route names and the broader character of the area.
Tour C
Long Beach
Bato ni Ningning
Secret Beach
Bigaho Waterfalls
Gilligan’s Port Barton Beach
Tour C is the best option for guests who want a broader land-and-sea day rather than a pure island-hopping reef circuit. It includes Long Beach, Bato ni Ningning, Secret Beach, Bigaho Waterfalls, and Gilligan’s Port Barton Beach, which immediately gives it a different feel from Tours A and B. Instead of focusing mainly on reefs and snorkeling stops, this route brings in viewpoints, longer beach scenery, hidden coastal corners, and a waterfall visit. That makes it ideal for travelers who want variety, photos, and a break from spending the entire day only on reef stops.
Long Beach is one of San Vicente’s best-known natural landmarks and is described in outside guides as the longest white-sand beach in the Philippines, stretching around 14 kilometers. Bigaho Falls is also a recognized excursion in the area, described by travel sources as a refreshing nature stop that adds a different dimension to a beach-heavy itinerary. Bato ni Ningning and Secret Beach are commonly grouped with San Vicente / Port Barton land-style day tours, which supports presenting Tour C as the route for guests who want scenery above the water as much as below it.
Recommend to travelers who say they do not want “just snorkeling all day,” or who are especially interested in beaches, viewpoints, and a more varied outing. It should also appeal to couples and families who want beautiful stops and good photos without making the day too reef-dependent. In short, Tour C is your best “mixed scenery and soft adventure” option: less about chasing the biggest underwater highlights, and more about seeing a broader side of Port Barton and San Vicente.
LAND TOUR INCLUSION:
✅Motorbike with Helmet
✅Maxima/Toktok
✅4×4 pick up
✅License Driver
✅Local Guide Fees
LAND TOUR EXCLUSION:
❌Lunch and Refreshment
❌Intrans fees
Private Tour Price
The price for a private boat tour is 9,000p/2pax
Each additional person costs 1,500p
To book a tour simply send us a note for details.
El nido: 600p/person
Puerto Princesa: 500p/person
Experience the thrill of island hopping snorkeling in the Philippines
FAQ:
What is Port Barton known for?
Port Barton is known for laid-back island hopping, snorkeling, coral reefs, sea turtles, uncrowded beaches, and its quieter atmosphere compared with busier Palawan destinations. Travel guides also describe it as a relaxed fishing village in San Vicente that appeals to travelers looking for a slower-paced beach experience.
Which Port Barton tour is best for first-timers?
Tour A is usually the safest all-round choice for first-timers because it combines some of the area’s best-known marine highlights, including reefs, island stops, sea turtle areas, and a sandbar. On this page, it is positioned as the strongest one-day introduction to what makes Port Barton special.
Which Port Barton tour is best for snorkeling?
Tour B is the strongest choice for guests who want a more reef-focused and snorkeling-heavy day, with multiple reef stops and a quieter exploratory feel. Tour A is also excellent for snorkeling, but Tour B leans more heavily toward varied reef sites.
Which Port Barton tour includes waterfalls and viewpoints?
Tour C is the best option for travelers who want more than reef stops, because it includes Long Beach, Bato ni Ningning, Secret Beach, Bigaho Falls, and Gilligan’s Port Barton Beach. It is the most mixed land-and-sea route of the three.
Can I do a private boat tour in Port Barton?
Yes. We private boat tours in Port Barton, this page listing Tour A, Tour B, and Tour C as private options. The package details also include licensed boat transfer, guide, passes, lunch, refreshments, snorkeling mask use, and other inclusions.
Can you swim with sea turtles in Port Barton?
Sea turtle encounters are one of the well-known attractions around Port Barton. Turtle swimming is part of the destination's appeal, and Tour A specifically includes a Turtle Sanctuary stop. Broader San Vicente travel guides also describe Port Barton as popular for snorkeling with sea turtles.
How do you get to Port Barton?
Port Barton is in San Vicente, roughly between El Nido and Puerto Princesa. Regular and private vans and buses are available from either, with travel time of about 3 to 4 hours.
When is the best time to visit Port Barton?
The dry season from about December to May is generally the best time for Port Barton, with sunnier weather and calmer seas that are better for island hopping, swimming, and snorkeling. San Vicente travel guidance also notes Port Barton is especially popular from December to February.
Is Port Barton better than El Nido for a quiet trip?
Port Barton is often preferred by travelers who want a quieter, less commercial, more laid-back beach destination. It is an escape from busier tourist crowds, while outside travel guides describe it as a more relaxed alternative within San Vicente.
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We are a family operation managing private custom boat tours in the beautiful Palawan area, and are happy to help travelers with their plans through the country, having traveled a lot of it ourselves and planning to visit it all.
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Wonderful escape from the typical hustle and bustle, we really enjoyed our stay here.