Island Hopping

Before applying to this adventure, you must understand that this is not a yoga retreat, tour, hotel or luxury experience. Instead, this is a journey to the most remote islands in Palawan.

• If you cannot survive without Instagram, this is not for you.
• If you have trouble waking up early af to roosters, this is not for you.
• If you are afraid of basic toilets, this is not for you.
• If mosquitos love you and can't handle it, this is not for you.
• If getting stung by a jellyfish makes you hyperventilate, this is not for you.
• If you need to be connected to work, this is not for you.

But believe us, if you can take these challenges with us, then welcome to one of the greatest experiences of your life!

AS OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2022: Unvaccinated foreign nationals will not be allowed admission into the Philippines

• Deposit: 25% deposit is used to secure your spot and goes toward your full payment. The deposit is non-refundable or transferable.
• The remaining balance is divided into three additional payments, with the full payment due 6-weeks before the adventure's start date.
• Trip credit (less deposit) may be transferred towards a future trip (within 12 months) up to 30 days before 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 to be safe.

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 guard to help protect against small critters 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 daily activities if you are trying to recover from the night before!

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

Yes, in fact, that is recommended. 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 challenging 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 eat our fish direct from the fisherman as we travel through the islands. So don't expect too much red meat. You can also fish from the boat to catch your own supper! 

Our chefs will always serve fruit and vegetable-based dishes, so vegans and vegetarians are welcome!

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. Many of us will take it, though, and we'll share which medication once you book.

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

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

Our sleeping arrangements on the islands are set up near the beach, where we get a breeze, thus reducing mosquitoes, and we'll have nets set up for sleeping. Unfortunately, sandflies are very common on beaches. Although some people react badly to sand-fly bites, long sleeves during sunset are advised for those special folks who attract mosquitoes and sand-flies.

Kwan Loong oil is the best ointment or repellent for mosquitoes and sandflies, a Singaporean mentholated oil. It has been tried and tested by the locals there for years. Of course, 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, unlike other Asian tourist destinations, the Philippines government has 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 the perceived risks of exploring less familiar parts of the world into perspective.

Expect the boat journey to be 1-2 hours 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, 5-6 PM.

We are sailing in the Philippines on a traditional Paraw - historically used by locals for fishing and transporting goods. The first night we will stay in an air-conditioned hotel in El Nido - this way, we can all become acclimatized to the region. Then the rest of the trip will be spent in open bamboo beach huts called Tuka's. Everyone gets a mattress, pillow, mosquito net and fresh bedding set at all accommodations. We will not sleep on the boat but a different island every night as we sail on our private Paraw.There is no 24-hour electricity on the islands, solar chargers on the boats, and generators at some of our Tuka basecamp. So there will be chances to charge batteries on some nights, but don't worry, you won't want to use your phone anyways! 

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.

No need to whip out your phone or camera at any point throughout this trip because we have got you covered. We will have a professional photographer and videographer joining us on this trip to capture every moment. These will be the best travel photos and videos you will ever get - you're friends better be ready for a photo dump out of their wildest dreams!!

This experience is included in trip fees. 

We arrive in the province of Palawan at El Nido Lio Aiport (ENI). Situated on the northern end of Palawan island, El Nido is a municipality known for its white sand beaches and coral reefs. It is at the entrance to the Bacuit archipelago, a group of islands in the Palawan province.  

The Palawan province is rich in natural beauty. As we explore the islands, we will see stunning lagoons, rocky inlets, glass-like water rich with marine life, limestone rock formations and karst cliffs. As we continue our adventure, we will continue to be exposed to the natural beauty of the Philippines. 

Island time ends when we arrive in Coron, the third largest island in northern Palawan. Fly from Francisco B. Reyes Airport (USU), a small domestic aiport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila. From there, either spend the night with SYB in the capital of the Philippines or fly home! 

The Philippine peso is the country's official currency. In major cities, you should be fine to use USD or another foreign currency. However, it is not advised. It is recommended to bring Philippine pesos outside of major cities. 

Debit and credit cards may work at ATMs in major cities, but there is a high chance that is not the case in smaller provinces. Also, it si recommended avoiding ATM use for fraud protection. 

We suggest bringing the equivalent of $300 to $400 USD to be safe (about 17644.50 pesos), but otherwise, we've got you covered! We suggest carrying pesos with you rather than your home currency!

Tap water is considered undrinkable and unsafe in Palawan province. So instead, we will have large containers of purified drinking water throughout the trip, along with hot ginger tea...a Filipino specialty to keep us healthy & strong!

You are required to bring your own refillable waterbottle as dehydration is a major risk in the heat. 

Palawan is one of the safest areas in the Philippines for tourists. Since we will be spending the majority of our time on the water or at the beach, we will have safes for us to leave our valuables in, and we suggest leaving all important items in the safe while we are out exploring - but maybe keep your Yeezys and nice jewelry at home!

Protect yourself by staying up to date on the presence of malaria, mosquitos and sandflies carrying diseases, as it is a rapidly changing issue. However, Palawan province does tend to have lower rates of these infections. Also, be wary of stray animals, as they can carry preventable diseases. 

Rash guards and reef shoes are a good idea to protect yourself from the risks of critters in the water.

Naturally, water safety is essential to the nature of this trip. So, we will review safety procedures and practices leading up to and while on this adventure.