Palawan

Palawan in the south-west of the Philippines in the south-chinese sea has a total lenght of over 400 kilometer but only a width of 40 at the widest point. 1768 smaller Islands belong to the province of Palawan. The biggest ones are Busuanga, Culion and Coron. It is only a short boatride from the south of Palawan to Borneo. The landscape is ruled by mountains and jungle. Mt. Mantalingajan with it's 2086 Metern is the highest Mountain of the Island. Endless almost untouched beaches, breathtaking nature and very friendly people make Palawan to a dream-destination, not only for divers.

A trip to Palawan starts usually in Cebu or Manila, where you fly with a domestic airline to Puerto Princessa, the capital of the province of Palawan. If you are on the way to the famous Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea your agent or members of the crew will meet you usually at the airport and brings you to your boat. The journey to the off-shore reef is done over night, that you can start diving right away when the sun rises.

A bit north of Puerto Pricessa is Sabang (not the Sabang in Puerto Galera/Mindoro). with its beautiful underground rivers, Sabang is worth a visit. From a picturesque lagoon you get to the entrance of the river. You can book a guide and hire a Jeepney for a one way or return trip. If tou wanna have a great easy hike through the jungle back to Sabang, don't forget proper shoes, or you take one of the small outrigger-boats.

In the north of Palawans you will find El Nido, famous for it's steep limestone cliffs. Sit on one of the small Outriggerboats and float around in this peacful environment and forgat all problems for a while. The highlight for Divers is the group of Islands in the North of Palawan named the Calamian grpup with the Wrecks around Coron. To reach Coron you can fly directely with one of the small Domescti Airlines to the Francisco Reyes Airport on Busuanga. Coron is the second biggest community of Palawan. There are several Dive and Beachresorts, several good restaurants, a small Disco plenty of so-called Sari Sari Shops (where you find almost everything for you daily belongings) and even a well equipped small Hospital in this area. A lot of the Bungalows and Cottages are build in the water, what keeps the Moskotos away and guarantees you a good sleep.

Some travelagents offer a combination of a dive-safari to the famous Tubbataha Reef and a following stay in Coron. The Divecenter in Coron discover new untouched reefs all year around but are still focused on the wrecks of Coron. Ask your diveresort if they offer enough reefdiving if you are not only focused on wrecks.

A trip to Palawan will bring you an unforgetable expierience. The beauty of the nature, the friendly people and the worldclass diving makes this destination to a very special trip.