Palawan North-South Traverse
Head north from Puerto Princesa through the Underground River, Port Barton, and El Nido to Coron, covering the entire Palawan route.
A one-way route entering via Puerto Princesa and departing via Busuanga, avoiding backtracking. The first part covers the Underground River and firefly watching, the middle part slows down for two days in Port Barton, and the latter part focuses on island hopping. The pace is moderate, with two long-distance drives and one ferry ride. Honda Bay is skipped to save time for El Nido and Coron. Ideal for first-time visitors with plenty of time.
From June to October, strong winds and waves often cause ferry delays or cancellations, which also affects island hopping.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Puerto Princesa & Firefly Night Tour
Puerto Princesa（Plaza Cuartel、Iwahig Firefly Watching）
Fly into Puerto Princesa. Take a tricycle for about 10 minutes to the city center, and take a van for about 30 minutes to the Iwahig River in the evening.
The Underground River permit has a daily quota; arrange it in advance.
Stay: Puerto Princesa City Center
Day 2 · Sabang & Puerto Princesa Underground River
Puerto Princesa（Puerto Princesa Underground River、Sabang Beach）
Take an early van for about 2.5 hours to Sabang, then transfer to a boat to enter the Underground River. The cave tour takes about 45 minutes.
Stay: Sabang
Day 3 · Transfer to Port Barton Beach
Port Barton（Port Barton Beach）
Charter a car for about 2–3 hours; shared vans need to transfer via Puerto Princesa, taking about 4–5 hours.
Stay: Port Barton Main Village Beach
Day 4 · Port Barton Island Hopping & Sea Turtles
Port Barton（Turtle Spot、Twin Reef、German Island、Starfish Island）
Take a bangka boat from the main village beach for a full day of island hopping, returning on the same day.
Stay: Port Barton Main Village Beach
Day 5 · Head North to El Nido for Sunset
Take a van in the morning for about 4–5 hours to El Nido, then take a tricycle from the terminal for about 20 minutes to the town.
Vans from Port Barton usually depart once in the morning and once in the afternoon; morning is preferred.
Stay: El Nido Town
Day 6 · Tour A: Lagoon Island Hopping
El Nido（El Nido Big & Small Lagoon、Secret Lagoon (Miniloc)、Shimizu Island、Seven Commandos Beach）
Take a boat from the town beach for a full-day tour of about 7–8 hours, lunch included.
Stay: El Nido Town
Day 7 · Tour C: Hidden Beaches Island Hopping
El Nido（Hidden Beach (Matinloc)、Matinloc Shrine、Star Beach (Tapiutan Island)、Helicopter Island (Dilumacad)）
Depart from the town beach for a full-day boat trip. Boatmen may adjust stops if sea conditions are poor.
Stay: El Nido Town
Day 8 · Ferry to Coron
Take a fast ferry north to Coron at noon. The nominal time is 3.5 hours, but it often takes nearly 5 hours, arriving in town in the evening.
As of October 2026, ferries only run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays; verify before departure.
Stay: Coron Town
Day 9 · Coron Island Lakes & Lagoons
Coron（Kayangan Lake, Coron、Barracuda Lake、Twin Lagoon, Coron、Skeleton Wreck & Coral Garden）
Take a boat from Coron town pier for a full-day tour around Coron Island, returning in the afternoon.
Stay: Coron Town
Day 10 · Mount Tapyas & Departure
Climb Mount Tapyas in the early morning, then take a van for about 40 minutes to Busuanga Airport.
Try to schedule flights in the afternoon to avoid ferry delays affecting your connection.