Port Barton Palawan: The Quiet Alternative to El Nido
El Nido gets all the headlines. Its limestone karst lagoons feature in every Philippines top-ten list, and its island-hopping tours have become so popular that boat queues form at the most famous locations during peak season. Port Barton, located about 170 kilometers south of El Nido on the same Palawan coast, quietly offers 90 percent of the same natural beauty with 10 percent of the crowds.
What Makes Port Barton Special
Port Barton is a small barangay (village) built around a genuinely beautiful bay. The surrounding waters contain some of the best snorkeling and island hopping in the entire province, and you will do it on a boat with six people instead of twenty. The town has limited electricity (from generators), no ATMs, unreliable mobile signal, and an authentic fishing village atmosphere that El Nido lost years ago.
Island Hopping from Port Barton
The standard island hopping tour visits three to five islands with snorkeling, swimming, and beach picnic stops. The reefs are healthy and largely uncrowded. Highlights include German Island (outstanding snorkeling over hard coral), Exotic Island (beautiful beach and shallow reef), and Black Island (dramatic cliff formations). Boat hire for a day tour costs P1,800-2,500 per person.
