How to get there:
✈️ 1 hour by plane (MNL-PPS)
➡️ 10-15mins trike to van terminal
🚌 4 hours by van (San Jose or P. Rabbit terminal in Puerto Prinsesa to Rio Tuba); Last trip is at 7pm but in our case, the van left the terminal around 10pm (you just have to inform the driver of the time of your arrival); Our return trip back to Puerto Prinsesa took us 5 hours due to many van stopovers.
➡️ 10-15mins trike to pier
⚓️ 3 hours by boat (Rio Tuba to Bancalan Port which is 1 hour away from Balabac Port); For the return (Balabac to Rio Tuba), travel time takes about 4 hours.
🛶 Private boat for island hopping (each island takes about more or less 1-2 hours to reach because of the distance)
Expenses (per pax):
📌 RT Airfare: 1,800php (we booked this during Air Asia's promo last year)
📌 Van from PPS to Rio Tuba: 400php
📌 Room good for 3 at Pring Pension House in Rio Tuba: 100php (300/3pax)
📌 Trike from Rio Tuba to Pier: 20php (60/3pax)
📌 Passenger boat to Bancalan Port: 250php
📌 Island hopping with full board meals: 1,700php (per pax, per day) **Note: Onuk/Onok Island has a separate rate. 3k for daytrip and 5k for overnight rate inclusive of meals and transpo to and from Balabac mainland. But in our case, we got it half of their daytrip rate under Kuya Fidel's negotiation with Councilor Ronald
📌 Overnight camping fee at Punta Sebaring: 167php (500/3pax) + Entrance fee per pax: 100php
📌 Tent (good for 4) c/o Kuya Fidel: 67php (200/3pax)
📌 Accommodation at MLK Lodging House: 167php (500/3)
📌 Passenger boat from Balabac back to Rio Tuba: 350php
📌 Van from Rio Tuba back to PPS: 400php
📌 Terminal fee at the new Puerto Prinsesa Airport: 200php
Contact Numbers:
📞 Van: Kuya Gerry +63 946 260 6260
Mac-Mac + 63 976 654 7222
📞 Boat for island hopping: Kuya Fidel +63 918 257 1499 or +63 995 933 3321
📞 Ate Marites (caretaker of Punta Sebaring): +63 946 4135 108
📞 Ate Bebeth (Balabac Tourism Office): +63 949 424 1605
Notes:
✏️ Travel to and from Balabac will consume 2 days. When booking your trip, better make it 5-6 days para sulit bes.
✏️ We went there last August 5-8. 2 days na byahe and 2 days island hopping.
✏️ There are also buses going to Rio Tuba. Their last trip is around 4-6pm, I think. We opted for a van since we arrived late and it has lesser stopovers. I highly recommend Kuya Gerry and Kuya Macmac. Super asikaso sila sa amin especially during stopovers.
✏️ There's only 1 boat schedule going to Balabac daily. Boat departs between 10-11AM depending on the volume of passengers and sea condition. Be at Rio Tuba Pier as early as 6-7AM to secure your seats.
✏️ DIY trip is possible (just like what we did). You just have to get in touch in advance with your boatman. Island hopping rate ranges from 1700-2000 per pax, depends kung gaano kayo kadami. The more, the better kasi mas makakatipid. I highly recommend Kuya Fidel Villajos (with his brother Kuya Dennis). Cool, super bait and maasikaso. Masarap pa magprepare ng foods! We mostly ate fresh seafoods with rice, fruits, water and coffee.
✏️ Islands that are best to visit are: Patawan Island, Punta Sebaring in Bugsuk Island, Mansalangan Sandbar, Onuk/Onok Island, Candaraman Island or the Starfish Island, Punagis Sandbar (We didn't make it to Patunggong Island and Canibungan Island). Other islands you can visit: Camiaran or Pink Island, Pulao Bato and Sicsican Island.
✏️ Best sunset and sunrise view in Punta Sebaring.
✏️ The clearest water my eyes have ever seen. Photos and videos are not enough to explain the beauty of the place. You have to see it with your own eyes and be amazed in every way!
✏️ Sand mites or nik-nik's are aggressive in Punta Sebaring. As in pagdaong pa lang ng boat, may pa-welcome party na sila! Better bring insect repellents and wear long sleeves, leggings and socks.
✏️ No ATM in Balabac. Bring enough cash. Electricity in the mainland runs from 2PM-6AM.
✏️ There are phone signals in Rio Tuba pier, Onuk Island and Balabac mainland but not enough for internet browsing.
✏️ From Balabac, Sabbah, Malaysia is only 5-6hours away via boat/lantsa so most of their products are coming from Malaysia like bottled water, juices, coffee, noodles, chocolates and other snacks. Chocolate packs and boxes ranges from 50-120php, noodles 60php, canned juice 25php, coffee 100-250php
✏️ Also 1 boat trip going back to Rio Tuba from Balabac port. Boat departs at 6AM but it's safe to be at the port as early as 4:30-5AM.
✏️ Always check on the weather prior to your departure. Good thing we have been blessed with a very good weather so all our boat rides went smooth and easy despite the fact that it's already Habagat season. We experienced rain while camping at Punta Sebaring but it didn't last long.
✏️ Prior to our departure, I was warned about the security threat in the southern parts of Palawan but during our time, we didn't feel any tension or threat at all. Best to coordinate with Ate Bebeth first before planning your trip.
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