Expedition from Coron to El Nido: highlight in the Philippines

The expedition from Coron to El Nido is a must do during your trip in the Philippines. In 3 or 4 days you will sail to the most beautiful uninhabited islands, swim in the clearest blue waters and enjoy the most beautiful sunsets you have ever seen. All with a friendly group of people and a super fun crew. Quickly read on about this amazing highlight of the Philippines, let’s go on an expedition from Coron to El Nido!

Is the expedition from Coron to El Nido or vice versa?

You can do this expedition two ways: from Coron to El Nido and from El Nido to Coron. Which way you go depends on whether you travel Palawan from top to bottom or the other way around. Just what suits your itinerary.

The organization we did the expedition with did say that the expedition from El Nido to Coron is cancelled more often because of weather conditions. You are sailing against the current. However, this only happens a few times a year, but it is still useful to take this into account in your itinerary of the Philippines. Don’t plan everything around the expedition. You may find yourself starting a day or two days later. We ourselves did the expedition from Coron to El Nido.

Packing list for the expedition: this is what you need to bring!

It is important to note that your backpack or suitcase will go in the hold for the entire expedition. So you cannot access this for 4 days. You can bring a small backpack or dry bag to put your things in. We definitely recommend a dry bag, because you are often taken to an island by canoe. If you stick to the packing list below, you will be fine:

• dry bag
• 2 pieces of swimwear
• underwear
• 1 or 2 bottoms
• 2 shirts or tops + 1 with long sleeves to protect you from the sun if you are burned
• sleepwear
• flip-flops/sandals/water shoes
• toothbrush/toothpaste
• mosquito spray
• enough sunscreen (1 tube per person)
• pills against travel sickness (if the boat rocks too violently)
• paracetamol if you’ve had too much rum cola…
• sunglasses
• book/e-book, games or something else to entertain yourself with
• towel
• power bank (you can’t charge your camera/phone at night)
• Gopro/camera/drone
• Refillable water bottle
• A little cash for visiting a local village. Buy an ice cream, beer or some soft drinks here

Which organization do you book the expedition from Coron to El Nido with?

There are many different organizations which you can book the expedition from Coron to El Nido with. The best known are:

• Big Dream Boatman
• Buhay Isla
• Tao Philippines
• Keelooma

Personally, we would recommend Big Dream Boatman and Buhay Isla. Buhay Isla is a little simpler and more basic than the other organizations offering the expedition in the Philippines, but also cheaper. In terms of value for money, we believe that Big Dream Boatman is the clear winner. You can check the availability and departure dates of the expedition, both from Coron to El Nido and vice versa, via this link.

The groups at each organization consist of 16 to 25 people. A fairly large group, but we didn’t find that necessarily disturbing, but rather very cozy! You meet all kinds of different nationalities and everyone has something nice to tell.

Do you choose 4 days / 3 nights or 3 days / 2 nights?

Without a doubt, we recommend going for the 4 days / 3 nights! The longer the better. It is such an insanely beautiful experience. With the 3 days / 2 nights you are also sailing a lot more each day, which is actually the least fun part. On the 4-day expedition you explore more beaches, snorkel spots and also get to play volleyball with other expeditioners for an afternoon.

Tip: book your expedition on time!

Despite the many providers, expeditions fill up quickly. Book at least one month in advance, but preferably a little earlier if you are tied to specific dates. The organizations sail twice a week from one place to another, so book your trip to the Philippines around this. At the website of Big Dream Boatman you can see an overview of the planned dates and immediately reserve your spot!

What are the activities during the expedition in the Philippines?

During the expedition you will swim, snorkel and marvel at the beautiful surroundings and beaches of Palawan. You will be on the boat almost every day from 09:00 – 16:00, but in between you will often look at idyllic islands to snorkel, swim or relax. So you are not on the boat all day, but you are busy with activities all day.

In the evening after dinner there is always something fun organized by the friendly crew. Sometimes it’s karaoke, then it’s playing songs on the guitar or never have I ever around a campfire. They make it a party every night (made possible by the large amount of rum-cola).

How is the food?

We found the food at the expedition to be surprisingly good. What the cooks with a small kitchen manage to put on the table every time is really very special. Also in the morning at breakfast and in the evening at dinner the whole table is full again. Please let them know in advance if you are a vegetarian or have allergies, so they can take this into account.

What we really liked is that all drinks are also included, this is with Big Dream Boatman but also with the other organizations. You can get unlimited rum and coke every night. If you want to bring your own Coke Zero, beers or anything else you can buy it at the pick-up point and they will put it in the cooler for you.

Immerse yourself in the primitive and adventurous

The expedition from Coron to El Nido is not for everyone. It really is a primitive trip, where as a shower you throw a tub of water over your head, or don’t shower at all. There is also no internet connection for 4 days and no electricity where you can recharge your gear, so you have a short break from the ´real world´. We really liked this precisely because you are totally dependent on each other to socialize and you are really on an adventure.

Still in doubt? Do IT!

After seeing these images we can’t imagine you’re still in doubt so maybe this is redundant but: go 100% on an expedition! This is really one of the most special experiences while traveling in terms of the beauty of the islands, the idyllic and always with a nice group of travelers. You certainly won’t regret it!

Also read our tips for Coron and El Nido, along with this handy 3-week Philippines travel itinerary. Lots of fun!