El Nido to Coron Expedition: Everything You Need to Know Before You Sail

If you’re heading to Palawan, besides the classic island hopping in El Nido and Coron you can also experience something a little different: a multi-day boat trip between these two destinations, during which you’ll discover remote islands, swim in turquoise water and sleep right on the beach.

The El Nido to Coron expedition isn’t just a way of getting from one place to another. The journey itself is the main experience. The boat takes you to places you often won’t see on regular day trips, and for a few days you’ll swap hotels and restaurants for simple beach huts, shared dinners and evenings under the stars.

Bear in mind, though, that this is not a luxury cruise. Comfort is limited, there may be no phone signal and the weather plays a big role. The best time to go is the dry season, roughly from November to May. In strong winds or high waves, the organiser may postpone the departure or cancel the trip. But if you don’t mind a bit of adventure, it can be one of the most beautiful experiences of your whole trip around the Philippines.

How to choose a company and the length of the expedition

Several companies operate between El Nido and Coron, offering a similar type of trip. The differences are mainly in price and in the specific islands where you spend the night. The itinerary itself doesn’t vary much.

When choosing, think mainly about how much time you want to spend on the expedition. The most common options are three days and two nights or four days and three nights. We chose the shorter, three-day version and looking back, we found it to be enough. We had time to enjoy the sailing, the swimming stops and the evenings on the islands without the expedition taking up too much of our holiday.

You can do the expedition in either direction, from El Nido to Coron or the other way round.

You can read about what to do in Coron here. If you want to know what to expect from island hopping in El Nido, read this article.

Our experience with Keelooma

We did the expedition with Keelooma, which we chose mainly because of its very good reviews. Our experience confirmed them and we enjoyed the whole trip.

For the three-day expedition with two nights we paid 19,000 PHP per person (around €270). The price included accommodation, all meals, drinks, guide services, snorkel rental and also rum and coke at sunset. Check prices and what’s included directly with your chosen company before booking, as they may change.

What does the first day on the boat look like?

We did the route from Coron to El Nido, so our trip started at the Port of Coron. If you choose the same direction, be prepared for a busy morning. Several expeditions leave at the same time and the port is also full of passengers heading for the regular ferries.

Before departure you can still pick up a few bits and pieces in the local shops or cafés. Then it’s time to board and meet the group. There were about 16 of us on our boat.

A whole team takes care of making the trip run smoothly, from the captain and guides to the cooks and other crew members. On the first day you can look forward to several stops for swimming and snorkelling. The time spent sailing between them is part of the experience too. You can relax on deck, sunbathe and watch the islands slowly disappear over the horizon.

The exact sailing time and number of stops may change depending on sea conditions. When planning, bear in mind that the programme won’t always run to the minute.

Accommodation: a few steps from your bed to the sea

If you’re used to hotel rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom, a completely different standard awaits you on the expedition. You’ll usually sleep in simple beach huts with no air conditioning and often without proper windows. You sleep on mattresses and share showers and toilets with the others. In some camps the showers and toilets can be very basic indeed.

It may not sound like the ideal holiday, but this setting was exactly what we liked most. In the evening you settle in right by the beach and in the morning you wake up in a place you might never reach on a regular trip. Just step out of your hut and there’s the sea, the sand and a beautiful sunrise in front of you.

You usually arrive at the basecamps late in the afternoon, around 5:00 pm. You can spend the rest of the day swimming, playing beach volleyball or watching the sunset. In the evening there’s a shared dinner and, depending on the programme, entertainment such as karaoke or a fire show.

On the remote islands there’s often no reliable mobile signal and electricity can be limited. Instead of constantly checking your phone, you get the chance to simply switch off and enjoy moments you’ll remember long after you return home.

Food on the expedition

One thing you don’t need to worry about on a trip like this is going hungry. Our meals were served buffet-style throughout the expedition and the quality pleasantly surprised us.

There was meat, fresh fish, seafood, vegetables, various sauces and, of course, rice, the so-called “Filipino power”, which is an essential part of Filipino cuisine. The meals came with fresh fruit and during the day we also got small snacks such as fried bananas or chips.

Drinks were included in the price too, including water, coffee, tea and soft drinks. Rum and coke at sunset was also included. However, if you’d like beer, wine or other alcohol of your choice, we recommend bringing your own. On our boat it could be kept in cool boxes with ice.

What does a typical day at sea look like?

Days on the expedition have a fairly simple rhythm. You get up at around half past seven, have breakfast and then carry on exploring the islands. Each day brings several stops, which vary depending on the route and current conditions.

In some places you’ll swim and snorkel, in others you can stay on the beach or enjoy jumping into the sea straight from the boat. Don’t expect every minute to be filled with activities, though. It’s the quiet moments while sailing, when you’re just lying on deck watching the scenery, that are among the best.

In the early evening the boat moves to one of the local islets, where you have time to relax, swim or enjoy the sunset. The day ends with a shared dinner and an evening programme. The next morning the whole cycle repeats, just with new places along the route.

What to pack for the El Nido to Coron expedition

When packing, remember above all that you’ll be living in simple conditions for a few days and often moving between the boat and the islands. A large suitcase can make the trip unnecessarily complicated.

We recommend taking a small backpack with the things you’ll really need during the expedition. Your main luggage usually stays on the boat, so you won’t have to carry it every time you go ashore. You sometimes get to the islands where you spend the night by small boat or kayak.

Here’s a list of things we recommend packing:

• swimwear and light clothing
• your own towel
• sunscreen and a hat
• insect repellent
• a waterproof bag for your phone and valuables
• basic toiletries and cosmetics
• your own snorkel if you have one; otherwise check whether you can borrow one
• alcoholic drinks, if you’d like something beyond what the organiser provides

Before you leave, check the company’s instructions, especially the rules on luggage and what you can bring on board.

So, is the El Nido to Coron expedition worth it?

For us, it’s definitely one of those experiences worth considering if you want to see the Philippines beyond the best-known tourist spots. A few days at sea, remote beaches, a group of travellers from all over the world and nights spent right by the water create a completely different atmosphere from a classic hotel stay.

But you need to know what you’re signing up for. Comfort is basic, conditions on the islands can be simple and the trip plan depends on the weather. If you need an air-conditioned room, a stable internet connection and a private bathroom every day, it’s probably not for you.

But if you can trade comfort for adventure for a few days, the El Nido to Coron expedition can be one of your most beautiful memories of the Philippines.