Island Hopping

• Deposit: Your $500 deposit is used to secure your spot and goes toward your full payment. Your deposit is non-refundable or transferable.
• The remaining balance is divided into three additional payments with the full payment due 30 days prior to the adventure's start date.
• Trip credit (less deposit) may be transferred towards a future trip (within 12 months) up to 30 days prior to the start of the trip.
• Please note that there are absolutely no refunds or deposit transfers for cancellations within 30 days of the trip. We strongly encourage all participants to purchase trip insurance just to be safe.

You'll need to arrive to Manila the morning of the start date to make the connecting flight, so that you can arrive by afternoon to El Nido. We will have transportation waiting for the main arrivals at 1pm and 3pm at El Nido, anything else we will send our hotel name, which is a quick 10 minute trip from the airport in El Nido.

NOTE* we will be ending the trip in Coron, so our departing airport will be Busuanga. 

We will communicate all this 2-3 months prior to departure, or once booked.

Now, typically we take care of you on our adventures but this trip is a little different as it requires you to be aware of your surroundings. We require everyone to take out their own travel insurance. It is ok if you are not a strong swimmer just let us know. Everyone will get a safety orientation on the trip.

A rash gaurd to help protect against small criters stinging you in these tropical waters will help. So will rash shoes for the reefs we'll be exploring.

Dehydration is a common cause of accidents and feeling unwell. You will be required to bring your own refillable water bottle and drink lots of water.

Avoid drinking too much alcohol. Of course you will want to enjoy a few beers and try some of the local rum around the first night, however don't make yourself a liability. Nobody wants to have to look after a drunk person. Tropical hangovers are a nightmare and you don't want to miss out on the day activities if you are trying to recover from the night before!

Your skin will burn easily in the tropics especially ya'll winter hybernating New Yorkers. Get the proper gear, and protection!

Yes, in fact that is recomended. We'd love you to be whoever you want on this adventure and bringing a friend could also bring old habits.

But we understand it is intimidating and hard because you feel like you don't know anyone... trust us, this is the way to go!

This is going to be a huge highlight for most of us. The menu will be based on traditional filipino cooking using fresh seafood, vegetables, fruit and rice. We be eating our fish direct from the fisherman as we travel through the islands. Don't expect too much red meat. You can also fish from the boat to catch your own supper! Don't worry vegetarians and vegans, there's plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Up to date and accurate information about all aspects of malaria, including risks and prevention, is readily available via the web. Because it is a complex and rapidly changing issue, we do not want to recommend whether or not to take malaria medication. There will be a lot of us taking it though and we'll share which medication once you book.

Northern Palawan is generally a low risk area. Occasionally it comes in small outbreaks and consequentially the local health office will have a warning, we will be advised and pass on the warning to our travelers. It is not that very common for an outbreak during our season November to end of May. Be more cautious on Dengue fever which is more common and can be contracted anywhere in southeast Asia, especially in town and cities. There are no medicine to prevent catching Dengue so be always cautious. Dengue and Malaria normally appears mid monsoon season which is July-September.

It is advised to minimize the risk of Malaria and Dengue through bit avoidance. Bring lots of mosquito repellent and long sleeve clothing, it also advisable that when with children. in town it is better to get Air-conditioned rooms because mosquitoes are most active early in the morning/ late afternoon. Town and larger population have more disease carrying mosquitoes than those of small islands and villages.

Our sleeping arrangement in the islands are set up near the beach where we get a breeze thus reduce mosquitoes, we'll have nets setup for sleeping. Sand-flies are very common on the beaches. Some people react badly on sand-fly bites, long sleeves during sunset is advised for those special folks who attract mosquitoes and sand-flies.

The best ointment or repellent for mosquitoes and sand-flies is Kwan Loong oil, a Singaporean mentholated oil. It is tried and tested by the locals there for years. You have to re-apply every 30min but it is effective and much safer than any DEET products. Try to get it before coming to Palawan from Asian pharmacies we'll also bring some just in case!

You might have researched this beforehand, yes some areas of the Philippines have a red mark for many Government Travel Foreign Offices advice because of the separatist problem of the extreme south. But Palawan and the rest of the northern islands are far away from the southern Mindanao region. Unfortunately the Philippines government, unlike other Asian tourist destinations, have no say or control over these red warnings. The story of the islands with 'pirates' is as old as the Ming dynasty merchant sailing this part of the world. Also the Coastguard or Navy are always present in the area (securing the Shell/Chevron gas/oil platform rigs). We may ask 'How safe is your hometown/city?' which often puts into perspective the perceived risks of exploring less familiar parts of the world.

Expect the boat journey to be 1-2 hour from stop to stop. We spend as much time exploring islands and the reef until we're ready to go. The only time we need to consider is the arrival at the base camp before dusk 5-6PM.

We'll be staying at an air conditioned hotel in El Nido our first night. Then camping in open native beach huts for our 4-night boat tour, and in a house on a private secluded island all to ourselves the last 2-nights. While camping we'll be showering with fresh water, grilling some fish for supper and enjoy a few rums around a fire.

Because we're spending the night in many different places we'll be sharing rooms with other SYB people and leaders some nights and other nights we'll have individual huts! Private rooms are available. Most of the time couples are separated in a room or in their own huts. Everyone gets a mattress, pillow, mosquito net and fresh bedding set. We recommend that you bring ear plugs if you are a light sleeper. If you have any special sleeping requirements or a tendency to snore, please tell us at the start of the trip and we will plan sleeping arrangements accordingly.

We will not be sleeping on the boat.

While on the boats there will be basic toilets, with a bucket to flush. The base camps will have toilets but no plumbing, it will also be bucket flush. It is always kept clean yes this is a third world country you put the paper in the trash not the toilet.