Philippines (Palawan)

Palawan is a long, narrow island on the western edge of the Philippines, and its northern section — from El Nido to Coron — contains one of South-East Asia's most spectacular coastlines. Limestone karst towers rise from turquoise water, hidden lagoons open behind cliff faces, and the reefs support a marine biodiversity that places Palawan firmly in the Coral Triangle's richest zone. El Nido, on Palawan's northern tip, is the primary departure point. The town has grown rapidly from a fishing village into a tourism centre, with a handful of charter operators offering skippered catamarans and traditional bangka boats. The charter industry here is young — facilities are developing, and the experience is closer to expedition sailing than to Mediterranean bareboating. A local captain is effectively mandatory: Philippine maritime regulations require Coast Guard registration for visiting vessels, and local knowledge of the reefs and anchorages is essential. The Bacuit Archipelago, immediately offshore from El Nido, is the first cruising ground. The islands — Miniloc, Shimizu, Matinloc, Cadlao — contain the Big and Small Lagoons, where the kayak passage through low sea caves into enclosed turquoise pools has become the area's defining image. The anchorages here are tight, the coral is close to the surface, and the boat traffic from day-tour operators can be intense before 0900 and after 1500. The passage from El Nido north to Coron covers roughly 100 nautical miles of open Sulu Sea. The crossing typically takes 12-18 hours overnight and requires a weather window. Coron Bay contains WWII-era Japanese shipwrecks — a fleet sunk by American aircraft in 1944, now encrusted with coral and inhabited by reef fish. The wreck diving at Coron is world-class. Between El Nido and Coron, the Linapacan Islands form a chain of small, sparsely inhabited islands with water clarity that rivals the Maldives. The anchorages here are empty most of the year — a striking contrast to the busy Bacuit Archipelago. Provisioning in El Nido is basic but adequate for a week — fresh produce, fish, and Filipino staples at the wet market. Coron town has slightly better options. Fuel is by jerry can in most locations. The charter experience in Palawan is raw and developing — the beauty is remarkable, but the infrastructure trails behind established Asian destinations.