Our adventure officially kicks off on February 15, 2027 at 5:30 PM in Coron, where you will 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 22, 2027 in El Nido. After one last breakfast together, you are 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 Busuanga Airport (USU), the airport for Coron, on Day 1, Monday February 15. Kickoff is 5:30 PM.
To get there:
- Fly internationally into Manila (MNL)
- Then take a domestic flight to Busuanga (USU)
Leave at least 3 to 4 hours between your international and domestic flights in Manila to allow for delays, immigration, and baggage. It is about an hour from Busuanga Airport into Coron town, so try to land by early afternoon so you do not miss the welcome experience. Once you are on the ground, we coordinate your transfer to the hotel and get you settled in before kickoff.
THE FLIGHTS WE ACTUALLY RECOMMEND
Palawan is not an easy place to book flights to, so here is exactly what we would book ourselves. Flights are not included in the trip. You buy these yourself, and fares move, so treat these as a starting point rather than a quote.
New York to Manila, round trip, nonstop, around $900
- Philippine Airlines, JFK to MNL, departs Sunday February 14 at 1:45 AM and lands in Manila at 7:35 AM on February 15
- Philippine Airlines, MNL to JFK, departs Monday February 22 at 8:10 PM and lands at JFK at 10:45 PM the same night
Nonstop both ways and it lines up with our dates almost perfectly. You land in Manila with the whole morning to connect, and on the way home you fly out of Manila the same evening the trip ends.
Manila to Coron, around $70 one way
This one is direct and takes about an hour and ten minutes. Two good options on February 15:
- The safer connection. Manila 11:30 AM, landing Busuanga 12:50 PM. That is close to four hours to connect in Manila, which is the buffer we want, and it puts you in Coron town with time to shower before dinner.
- The earlier arrival. Manila 10:20 AM, landing Busuanga 11:25 AM. A lazy afternoon in Coron, but only about two and a half hours in Manila to clear immigration and baggage. Doable, not relaxed.
COMING HOME
The trip ends near El Nido on the morning of February 22, and you fly out of El Nido Airport (ENI). There is no direct El Nido to Manila flight, so this leg connects. Budget around $170 one way.
- What we would book. El Nido 6:50 AM to Cebu, then Cebu to Manila mid morning, sold as one booking. It is an early start, and it lands you in Manila with hours to spare before an evening flight home.
- If you are staying a night in Manila. El Nido to Caticlan leaves early afternoon and connects onward that evening. Much more civilised, but too tight for a same night long haul.
Leave 3 to 4 hours between flights in Manila on the way home too. If you book the Philippine Airlines flight above, its 8:10 PM departure gives you a comfortable cushion.
OTHER WAYS IN AND OUT
- Fly Manila to Puerto Princesa (PPS). More flights, usually cheaper, then a long van ride. Only worth it if you are arriving a day early.
- Coming home, you can also van from El Nido down to Puerto Princesa and fly PPS to Manila, if you would rather not be at the airport at dawn.
Flying in a day or two early is never a bad idea. Ask us and we will tell you where to stay in Coron.
IMPORTANT NOTES
You will arrive in one place and depart from another, so do not book a round trip in and out of Coron.
- Arrival airport: Busuanga, Coron (USU)
- Departure airport: El Nido (ENI)
All transportation during the trip, including boats and transfers after arrival, is fully handled by our team. Once you make it to Coron, 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.
Plans change, we get it. Cancel more than 45 days before the trip starts and 100% of what you've paid, deposit included, becomes trip credit you can use toward any SYB trip within 12 months.
To reserve your spot, a 20% deposit is required. It goes toward your total, and the remaining balance is due six weeks before the trip starts.
If you cancel within 45 days of departure, your payment is non-refundable and non-transferable. No exceptions, and we do not offer cash refunds for any reason.
Travel and medical insurance is required, and you must secure it before joining the program. It's the best way to protect your investment if life happens. Worth it.
We mix comfort with adventure, so you get the best of both worlds.
Coron:
We start the trip at Hotel 180 in Coron town, where you get air conditioning, hot showers, and a comfortable base to meet everyone before we head off grid.
Island Nights:
From there, we leave civilization behind and spend six 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.
The Farm:
We finish at the barefoot luxury farm near El Nido. A five course dinner, a fire show, and the best possible last night before you fly home.
In short:
Hotel 180 Coron, then remote island huts, then the barefoot luxury farm
It starts comfortable, goes fully off grid, and ends with the best meal of the week.
- All Accommodations
- Full Fitness Programming
- 7 Dinners
- 8 Lunches
- 7 Breakfasts
- Private Chef
- Farm 2 Table Dinner Experience
- 1 Night Coron
- 6 Nights Island Hopping
- 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, so 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 Coron, where everyone arrives, checks into the hotel, and gets their first taste of the Philippines. Think warm air, karst cliffs rising out of the water, 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 morning, we ease into the rhythm. Movement on the beach, then the 700 steps up Mount Tapyas for the view over the whole bay. This is your last touch of civilization before the real adventure begins.
Then it is time.
We board our private boat and leave Coron behind, heading west into the islands. For the next six 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 reach the Bacuit Bay end of the chain, and our last stop is the barefoot luxury farm. A five course farm to table dinner, a fire show on a secluded beach, and one final 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 into El Nido for your flight. But you are leaving with way more than you came with.
In short:
Coron, then off grid island hopping, then remote island life, then the farm finale near El Nido
It is adventure, connection, and a full reset packed into one unforgettable week.
