After almost 2 years in my bucket list, I am really happy to tick it off and see for myself this paradise south of Palawan. This is a very unforgettable and inspiring journey for the three of us: me, my Mom and my Aunt. Reaching as far as Balabac is such a milestone to think that Balabac is less known comparing to El Nido and Puerto Princesa.
Early morning of April 2, 2016, we set a wake up call at 3am. We have to prepare for a long drive from Puerto Princesa City down to Riu Tuba, Palawan. The Palshutex shuttle service is set to pick us up at 4:30am at Go Hotel PPS for a direct service to Riu Tuba. We only pay Php 350 each for a one-way trip. The van arrives on time at the hotel and we are off for a weekend journey to the less traveled destination.
We are off to Riu Tuba from Puerto Princesa City at exactly 4:30am and arrive in Riu Tuba after 4 hours. At the van terminal in Riu Tuba, we have our breakfast at a carenderia before heading to the port. Our contact advises to eat first and bring some chips and food to munch while cruising the 2-3 hours boat ride going to Balabac.
After taking our breakfast, we hail a motor cab going to the port for Php 100. It is a 15-20 minute ride from the terminal passing along a village and a weekend market place. I can describe the port as simply a wooden bridge towards the boat. No marks at all or any distinction to identify from afar that it’s a port or not. You have to walk beside a house and pass through some small walkways before reaching the boat.
Near the boat is the boat’s Manifest Logbook in which you need to register before boarding. Simply fill-out the basic details on the manifest. Coastguards in Balabac are very strict on these matters. Only passengers who are able to register at the logbook will go on board the boat.
By the way, there is no fixed schedule of the boat. You need to get to the port as early as possible because there are times that the boat will leave early when it’s already full. Wearing life jacket is strictly implemented. Coastguards may not allow the boat to sail if passengers are not cooperating. Though some may take it off when boat is already cruising. The conductor will only collect payments few minutes before the first port of destination.
While on travel, I am in communication with Ate Lerma regarding our whereabouts. She is also telling us to disembark at the Port of Bancalaan where they will be waiting for us. The trip takes us more than 2 hours on the boat. If waves are calmer, the boats are open on the sides where you can see very nice views of the islands. Pristine waters and white sand beaches are everywhere. While on the boat, make sure you have something to do as there are no entertainment on board. You also cannot roam around and there is no place to go. All you have to do is to sit and wait until you arrive at your port.
Nearing the first port, the conductor is collecting fares from the passengers. We are set to disembark at the Port of Bancalaan; we pay Php 250 each for the trip, way cheaper if we are to disembark at Poblacion, Balabac.
At the port of Bancalaan, we see the boat of our tour operator Kap Andong. My seatmate identifies it when we ask him at which port is for Bancalaan. The boat of Kap Andong is already waiting for us. We arrive in Bancalaan at almost 2pm. Kap Andong and his crews are also ready to help us out for our things when we met at the port.
It is mesmerizing upon seeing the beach near the port. The turquoise seas and the white sand beach makes me want to swim already. We are taken to a small boat at the shore. It’s my first time to set foot at a beach in Balabac. It is really a paradise seeing the pristine waters in front of me. We board the small boat, which at first we are afraid to capsize since there are no balances on the sides. Then we roll towards the mother ship as we call it.
Kap Andong and his crew are all ready to welcome us to their boat. His wife Ate Lerma and others are also busy preparing our lunch. We just eat on the boat when we arrive. We have sweet and sour Lapu-lapu for our late lunch, so fresh and delicious! After we eat, we are all set to move to another island where we will camp for a night. Not that bigger waves, our boat just glides and sways as we cross the what they call passageway for big ships.
Arriving at Candaraman Island, we maximize our time; change to our swimming outfits and off to the first sandbar of our itinerary, the KilometerZero Sandbar. It is near sunset and the tides are quite high to hide the sandbar. Though when you got off the boat, waters are below waist deep, Kap Andong tells us that during low tides, the sandbar really never fails to show up. Feeling the fine sands on our feet, it is an overwhelming experiencing when in Balabac. It is really a gift of nature to have this pristine paradise south of Palawan.
Kap Andong is busy paddling the waters to scare away sea creatures like stingrays for them to move away while we are on the sandbar. He explains that though it’s unlikely that the stingrays will be there, it’s still safer to do so for our safety. Anyway, we will not be harming them; we just want them to move farther from us. Finally we can have a dip at Balabac waters. I bring with me a goggle and tries wearing it there. It is an awesome experience to swim underwater. The waters are so clear and the white sands are glimmering. Since it’s already afternoon, I am no longer afraid to take off my rash guards and swim without it on the waters.
We have several photos at the KilometerZero sandbar before deciding to transfer to the Starfish Sandbar at the other side of Candaraman Island. It is a 10-minute boat ride from one sandbar to another. Similarly, Starfish sandbar is also hidden in shallow waters. We simply have a quick swim as we plan to be back first hour in the morning for the sunrise. We just decide to wait for the sunset before heading back to our boat. The sunset at the sandbar is so nice. It is nice to experience this once in a lifetime chance of spending the sunset at a beautiful sandbar.
The weather in Balabac is also cooperating with us except for the waves that as per Kap Andong, for the last three days they are experiencing bigger waves for this season. He further tells us that we suppose to use the smaller boat only yet due to the bigger waves, they decide to use the mother ship itself.
The sun is out and we are also heading back to the mother ship to get our things and bring it to the campsite along the shores of Candaraman Island. We bring coffee on the shore and while waiting for our dinner, we have some photo opportunities at dusk. Part of the excitement with our Balabac escape is our accommodation. We will be setting camps at the island. Tents are provided though. They pitch our tents near the shore and after a while we have our dinner. We have a sumptuous sinigang na talakitok for dinner.
Mobile network is working in the island, though it’s not 3G, still you can be connect to your love ones while away
Been here: April 2, 2016
Latest posts by Henru (see all)
- 42KM @ 42 – Cebu City Marathon 2023, The CCLEX Experience - January 8, 2023
- BATAAN… Mt. Natib - June 12, 2017
- BENGUET… MT. PULAG (AMBANGEG TRAIL) - March 17, 2017
can you set up a tent on of the islands and have someone pick you up the next day or do you need to stay at certain places (not allowed to go out on your own)?
we did set up tents on the islands where we camped out. our guide provided it for us.