Island Hopping in the Philippines: A Traveler’s Diary — Sea conditions change daily, but hospitality is the constant across Palawan and the Visayas. Here’s how to stitch blue lagoons and limestone cathedrals into a graceful loop.
Routes that flow
Fly into Cebu, ferry to Bohol, then hop south; or base in El Nido for Bacuit Bay, adding Coron as a shipwreck and snorkel finale.
Boat basics
Choose operators that cap group size and provide life vests; bring dry bags and reef-safe sunscreen. Lunches are simple: grilled fish, rice, mangoes.
Respect the reef
Don’t stand on coral, don’t chase turtles, and keep fins off the bottom. The best souvenir is a thriving ecosystem.
Budget & stays
Guesthouses and beach bungalows book fast in high season—reserve early. Cash is still king on small islands; split your funds and carry backups.
Island time isn’t slow; it’s precise in its own way. Boats leave when tides allow, sunsets keep appointments, and conversations drift until stars appear. Lean into that rhythm and the archipelago will feel like a hundred journeys wrapped in one.
