Our adventure officially kicks off on February 14, 2027 at 5:30 PM in El Nido, where you’ll meet the crew for our first sunset, orientation, and welcome dinner. From there, we shake off the travel and drop straight into island mode.
We wrap up on the morning of February 21, 2027 in Coron. After one last breakfast together, you’re free to head to the airport or keep the adventure going. Expect salty hair, new best friends, and a camera roll full of unreal moments.
GETTING THERE
Please arrive into El Nido Airport (ENI) on Day 1 of the trip.
To get there:
- Fly internationally into Manila (MNL)
- Then take a domestic flight to El Nido (ENI)
We recommend leaving at least 3 to 4 hours between your international and domestic flights in Manila to allow for delays, immigration, and baggage.
Try to arrive in El Nido by midday or early afternoon so you do not miss the welcome experience.
Once you land, we will coordinate your transfer to the hotel and get you settled in before kickoff.
COMING HOME
The trip ends in Coron, and you will fly out of Busuanga Airport (USU).
- Book your departure flight from USU on the final day
- There is no programming that morning, so you can take a morning or midday flight
If you are connecting internationally:
- Fly from USU → Manila (MNL)
- Then connect to your international flight home
We recommend leaving at least 3 to 4 hours between flights in Manila on your way home as well.
IMPORTANT NOTES
You will arrive in one place and depart from another
- Arrival airport: El Nido (ENI)
- Departure airport: Busuanga, Coron (USU)
All transportation during the trip, including boats and transfers after arrival, is fully handled by our team.
Once you make it to El Nido, you are taken care of.
Good news, for most travelers a visa is not required for stays under 30 days.
This applies to citizens of the United States, Canada, the UK, EU, and many other countries.
To enter the Philippines, you will need:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months
- A return or onward flight
Important
You are required to complete an eTravel declaration before arrival. This is a simple online form used for entry into the country.
Apply here: https://etravel.gov.ph/
Need Help?
We will send you all required details and reminders, including anything you may need for entry, in the weeks leading up to the trip via email or WhatsApp.
If you hold a passport outside the countries listed above, make sure to double check your visa requirements.
Yes, travel and medical insurance is required. You must secure it before joining the program. If you choose not to purchase insurance, you accept full responsibility and agree to our cancellation policy.
To reserve your spot, a 20% deposit is required. This goes toward your total payment. The remaining balance is due six weeks before the program start date.
If you cancel more than 45 days before the program begins, you’ll receive trip credit that can be used toward any future SYB trip within 12 months.
If you cancel within 45 days, your payment is non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions.
We do not offer refunds for any reason. Travel insurance helps protect your investment if anything unexpected happens. It’s worth it.
We mix comfort with adventure, so you get the best of both worlds.
El Nido:
We start the trip at Frendz Hostel, right in the heart of El Nido. It is social, fun, and the perfect place to meet everyone before we head off grid.
Island Nights:
From there, we leave civilization behind and spend five nights on remote islands. You will stay in simple beach huts right on the sand. Think crystal clear water, no crowds, and waking up steps from the ocean.
Coron:
We finish the trip at Hotel 180, where you will have air conditioning, hot showers, and a comfortable reset before heading home.
In short:
Frendz El Nido → remote island huts → Hotel 180 Coron
It starts social, goes fully off grid, then ends with a well earned bit of comfort.
- All Accommodations
- Full Fitness Programming
- 7 Dinners
- 8 Lunches
- 7 Breakfasts
- Private Chef
- Farm 2 Table Dinner Experience
- 1 Night El Nido
- 5 Nights Island Hopping
- 1 Night Coron
- Boat Day Everyday
- Shipwreck Snorkling
- Barefoot Luxury Farm Stay
- Remote Island Exploration
- Mount Tapyas Hike
- Epic Yoga Sessions
- Beach Games
- Daily Hut Preparation
- Daily Fresh Ginger Tea
- 60 Minute Massage
- Themed Parties
- SYB Welcome Package
- Photographer + Videographer
- Services of SYB Leaders
- International Flights
- Domestic Flights
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Gratuities to our Lost Boys
- Drinks at Outside Bars
- Medical Insurance
- Travel Insurance
Honestly? It’s a major highlight.
Our meals are based on traditional Filipino cooking, centered around fresh seafood, seasonal veggies, tropical fruit, and—you guessed it—lots of rice. We’ll be eating fish caught straight from the sea, often delivered directly from local fishermen as we island hop.
Red meat is rare out here, but if you’re lucky (and patient), you might catch your own dinner right off the boat.
Our private chefs always prepare fruit- and veggie-based dishes, so vegans and vegetarians are 100% welcome, you’ll be well fed, no stress.
Book Your Flight You’re in. Grab that flight.
Six Weeks Out We’ll send you a quick form to collect your flight, food preferences, and anything else we need to plan your trip right.
Three Weeks Out We’ll send the full trip guide, party themes, and group chat invite so you can meet the crew.
Let’s Go - Show up at the airport and find the happiest crew there.
Expect to spend 1–2 hours on the boat between island stops. We keep things flexible—spending time exploring reefs, swimming, and hanging on beaches until we’re ready to move on.
The only time constraint is arriving at our basecamp before sunset (usually around 5–6 PM). Otherwise, we cruise on island time.
If you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend bringing non-drowsy Dramamine or sea bands. Most of our boat rides are smooth and scenic, but better safe than sorry!
You will spend most of your time in swimwear.
Bring:
- Multiple swimsuits
- Light and breathable clothing
- Sun protection or rash guard
- Sandals or water shoes
- One outfit for themed nights
You will be in and out of the water every day.
There is no laundry during the island portion of the trip.
Northern Palawan is considered a low-risk area for malaria, especially during our travel season (November through May). That said, malaria can occur in small outbreaks, so we’ll stay in contact with local health officials and pass along any updates before the trip.
We don’t give medical advice, so we recommend doing your own research or consulting a travel doctor. Some of our team takes malaria meds, we’ll let you know what we’re using once you book, so you can decide what’s best for you.
More common than malaria is Dengue fever, which has no preventive medication and is present across Southeast Asia, especially in cities and towns. Both diseases are more prevalent during the rainy season (July–September), which is not when we travel.
🧴 How to Stay Bite-Free:
- Bring bug spray (ideally with DEET or citronella).
- Pack long-sleeve clothing, especially for mornings and sunset.
- Choose air-conditioned rooms in town if possible—mosquitoes love still air.
- On the islands, we sleep near breezy beaches and under mosquito nets.
- Sandflies are common on beaches—if you’re a bug magnet, wear long sleeves during sunset.
Let’s keep it real—this is an adventure in the islands of a developing country, so the bathroom setup is basic but functional.
- On the boats, you’ll have access to bucket-flush toilets—simple and clean.
- At our base camps, same deal: no plumbing, but well-maintained toilets with a bucket flush system.
- Toilet paper goes in the bin, not the bowl. It’s how it’s done in most of Southeast Asia—and we keep everything clean and fresh.
It’s all part of the off-grid experience. Embrace it—you’ll be too busy swimming in lagoons and dancing under the stars to mind.
Before you book, here’s the truth: this isn’t a yoga retreat. It’s not a resort stay. It’s not a luxury getaway.
This is a raw, wild, unplugged journey through the most remote islands of Palawan, and it’s only for those ready to fully send it.
Let’s break it down:
- If you can’t survive without Instagram… this isn’t for you.
- If waking up to roosters and sunlight makes you grumpy… this isn’t for you.
- If bucket-flush toilets freak you out… nope, not for you.
- If you’re a mosquito magnet and can’t hang… this isn’t for you.
- If the idea of a jellyfish sting makes you panic… this isn’t for you.
- If you need to check Slack every day… this isn’t for you.
But…
If you’re ready to ditch the comfort zone, unplug from the noise, and lean into something real, then this might just be the most unforgettable experience of your life.
Welcome to island mode. Let’s go.
Welcome to paradise.
We kick things off in El Nido, where everyone arrives, checks into the hotel, and gets their first taste of the Philippines. Think colorful streets, warm air, and that immediate shift into island mode. After settling in, we head straight to the ocean for a sunset dip. Salt water, good people, and the feeling that something special is about to start.
That night, we come together for orientation and our first family dinner. Drinks flow, stories start, and the group begins to click.
The next day, we ease into the rhythm. Morning movement on the beach, a quick run through town, then a unique local experience before we officially head off grid. This is your last touch of civilization before the real adventure begins.
Then it is time.
We board our private boat and leave El Nido behind, heading deep into the islands. For the next five days, this is home.
Life out here is simple and unreal at the same time:
- Wake up with the sun and the sound of the ocean
- Coffee on the beach
- Optional workouts or yoga
- Fresh island breakfast
- Boat rides through limestone cliffs and hidden lagoons
- Snorkeling, cliff jumping, exploring untouched beaches
- Fresh coconuts, salt water, and zero rush
Each day, a new island. Each night, a new place to sleep right on the beach.
Some moments feel straight out of a movie. Shipwreck snorkeling in clear blue water. Massages on the sand as the sun sets. Beach games that turn into full competitions. Nights under the stars with music, drinks, and conversations that go way deeper than expected.
As the trip builds, so does the energy. One night becomes a full white party at sunset. Another turns into a dance floor in the middle of nowhere. Somewhere along the way, a group of strangers turns into something that feels like a crew.
Eventually, we make our way to Coron.
Hot showers. Air conditioning. Civilization again. But different now. We hike up Mount Tapyas for a panoramic sunset, then head out for one last night together. It is a proper closing celebration of everything the week turned into.
And then just like that, it is over.
You wake up, pack up, and head to the airport. But you are leaving with way more than you came with.
In short:
El Nido → off grid island hopping → remote island life → Coron finale
It is adventure, connection, and a full reset packed into one unforgettable week.
