Philippines adventure: Discovering Palawan’s breathtaking islands aboard a traditional fishing boat

Palawan is often celebrated as the 'best island in the world' and the Philippines' 'last frontier of biodiversity.'

Nestled at the far southwestern tip of the Philippines, this secluded island province lives up to its reputation.

From El Nido’s iconic Bacuit Bay to the dive spots around Coron Island, visitors will encounter towering limestone cliffs, WWII wrecks, hidden rivers, lush rainforests, caves, and mystical lagoons.

Although the Philippines is currently closed to international tourists due to the ongoing pandemic, when safe travel resumes, there will be plenty of ways to explore this stunning destination.

While many opt for a rustic beach hut or a secluded luxury resort, there's another way to explore the islands: by embarking on a seafaring adventure.

'Experiencing Palawan this way is truly unique—you can snorkel, hop between islands, fish, and camp (or stay in a bamboo hut) on remote islands,' says Edi Aga Mos, founder of the eco-conscious boat tour company Tao Philippines, in an interview with Dinogo Travel.

'The best part is just getting involved—learning to cook with the chef, grind coconut, fish off the back of the boat. It’s all part of the adventure,' Mos adds.

A brilliant concept

Aga Mos, originally from the mountains of northern Philippines, first visited Palawan in 1999.

Captivated by the coastal landscapes and way of life, he returned repeatedly to explore the remote islands, staying in fishing villages and learning about their nomadic traditions.

In 2005, Aga Mos made Palawan his permanent home, long before El Nido had paved roads, electricity, or ports—and soon saw a unique opportunity.

At that time, El Nido offered a few boat trips, but none that allowed travelers to truly immerse themselves in the local island culture.

Moreover, most tours followed the same routes, creating congestion at popular landmarks.

'The goal was to offer travelers an authentic experience – getting to El Nido takes time, and reaching Coron is even more challenging, but we wanted to showcase the true culture of the islands,' he explains.

'It’s incredibly beautiful. When you think about it, there are over 700 islands in this region alone.'

Later that year, he launched Tao Philippines, a company focused on simple, no-frills island adventures with a friendly crew of 'Lost Boys'—so named because many of them lacked education or stable job prospects.

'The local fishing industry was collapsing, and people were struggling, so we hired young fishermen, training them to work as boat crew, cooks, and tour leaders,' says Aga Mos.

'Over the past 15 years, we’ve trained around 150 to 200 young men—probably more—from various islands. Some work on the boats, others manage livestock, do carpentry, construction, or work in the kitchen,' says Aga Mos.

As the company expanded, it began hiring more locals, including women who take on roles as cooks, masseuses, cleaners, housekeepers, seamstresses, gardeners, farmers, and camp managers.

'Our camps are managed by women. We’re steadily increasing our female workforce—currently, about 60 women from nearby villages work around the Tao Farm,' Aga Mos shares.

'The operation is now ten times larger than it was 15 years ago. This growth has allowed us to support the local ecosystem and economy, which aligns with our overall tourism philosophy,' he adds.

Reviving the traditional paraw fishing boat

Tao offers several different routes, but the five-day Paraw Voyage is one of the most sought-after experiences.

This island-hopping adventure is aboard a traditional wooden paraw sailboat, which took two years to construct.

'We wanted the experience to be as authentic as possible, so it took us a long time to find skilled craftsmen who still knew the traditional techniques and materials,' says Aga Mos.

Ultimately, they made several modifications, including adding intricate tribal carvings and installing two engines.

Given the boat's large size, they added engines to ensure they could reach the islands before nightfall and navigate in calm winds.

Paraws, a type of bangka boat, are known for their shallow U-shaped hulls, large sails, dual outriggers, and dugout canoes. These traditional fishing boats were once commonly used in the waters of Palawan.

However, with the introduction of engines, these traditional sailboats lost popularity by the 1960s.

'This is our way of honoring the tradition – the way it was before engines. It’s how many of the villagers’ ancestors likely arrived in Palawan as nomadic fishermen,' he explains.

The Balatik, a vessel launched in 2014, quickly gained recognition among locals who immediately identified it with the ancient boat style.

At 74 feet in length, the Balatik is, to Aga Mos’s knowledge, the largest sail-powered bangka boat in the Philippines, capable of accommodating up to 25 guests and 10 crew members.

An island-hopping experience

During the Paraw Voyage, which sails between El Nido and Coron, travelers spend most of the day aboard the Balatik, then motor to an island to ensure arrival before sunset.

The boat makes stops at picturesque coves, giving guests the chance to snorkel over coral reefs, go cliff diving, relax on the beach, swim, fish, or even spot sea turtles.

While snorkeling or relaxing on the boat’s deck, travelers can spot a variety of marine life, such as whale sharks and sea cows, according to Aga Mos.

“Recently, we’ve been spotting more whale sharks—there have been significantly more sightings now compared to the early 2000s. We also see more turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs,” he adds.

Each evening, the boat anchors at a new island campsite along the route, providing travelers with the opportunity to meet and interact with local villagers.

“We occasionally visit the villages to purchase supplies and immerse ourselves in village life, but we’re mindful not to disrupt their way of life or turn it into a spectacle – we’re cautious about how we approach ‘tourism,’” says Aga Mos.

After three days of island-hopping, the boat anchors for a two-day stay at one of Tao’s primary camps: either Tao Farm at the northeastern tip of Palawan or Camp Ngey! Ngey! on Mangenguey Island, closer to Coron.

Both camps, developed and constructed by Tao Philippines, boast a range of distinctive bamboo structures, dining areas, hammocks, massage huts, vibrant bars, and rustic 'Tuka' beach cottages.

Of the two camps, Tao Farm is more developed, as it also serves as the company’s headquarters.

At Tao Farm, visitors can explore the company’s bamboo architecture, tour training and education centers, harvest local produce such as the saba (a banana-plantain hybrid), or take part in cooking lessons.

“We decided that our meals should feature ingredients sourced directly from the islands,” explains Aga Mos.

“So, when visitors arrive at our base camp, they can tour the farm to see what we grow, then enjoy a seven-course meal made from those very ingredients. Our food truly stands out as one of the main attractions,” he adds.

Rising Stars in Experiential Travel

Tao isn’t the only company offering immersive boat tours in Palawan.

In 2016, Krish Reigno Masong and Oli Canavan founded Big Dream Boatman, a venture born from Masong’s deep connection to the islands.

The two co-founders come from different backgrounds – Masong, a native of Culion Island near Coron, and Canavan, originally from the UK – yet their shared love for adventure brought them together.

During a trip to Palawan in 2016, Canavan visited Coron and hired a boat to explore the islands without the usual crowds.

That’s when Masong, his guide, appeared, eager to show Canavan the remote islands and secluded villages.

“We hit it off right away. Within hours of meeting, Krish was already sharing his big dream of starting his own business,” Canavan recalls.

The vision? Masong wanted to create a tourism business that would offer a glimpse of Coron and Palawan “as they were 20 years ago, before tourism took over and the crowds arrived,” says Masong.

“I wanted to transform my life. Coming from a poor family, I dreamed of owning a company, building my own home, and hiring local people so we could all improve our lives,” he shares.

What started as a day trip soon turned into a multi-day adventure, and by the end, they were already drafting their business plan together.

“Popular spots like Bacuit Bay and Kayangan Lake in Coron are overwhelmed with tourists because all the day trips follow the same routes and schedules,” Canavan explains.

“What many don’t realize is that just 45 minutes to a couple of hours away, you’ll discover stunning islands, vibrant coral reefs, dramatic cliffs, and awe-inspiring landscapes that remain untouched,” he adds.

Big Dream Boatman also celebrates the Philippines' rich fishing heritage.

The company operates two sleek, modern white bangka boats named Yzzabelle & Gavrielle 1 and 2, both named after Masong’s twin daughters.

The boat features a spacious upper deck with nets on the outriggers for lounging and soft mats perfect for sunbathing.

“Before tourism took off, these boats were primarily used for fishing,” Masong explains. “The large outriggers serve as safety features, providing stability and balance, especially in rough weather.”

“In Palawan, the sea has always been central to our lives. We fish, we sail, and everything we do is connected by the water,” he reflects.

Coral reefs and sea cows

Big Dream Boatman offers three distinct routes: El Nido to Coron, Coron to El Nido, or a scenic loop around Coron, with each journey lasting between three to four days.

During the day, travelers can enjoy activities like spearfishing, snorkeling, learning about indigenous cultures, visiting fishing villages, and bonding with the crew.

One of the standout natural attractions, according to Masong, is the Coral Garden.

“We have this stunning island known as the Coral Garden, home to a massive house reef that stretches about 1,500 meters. It's filled with vibrant coral and teeming with a wide variety of fish,” he adds.

He mentions that travelers frequently encounter sea cows around Busuanga Island, and have the chance to play basketball with locals on Panlaitan, Pass, or Bualuang islands.

“It's those genuine moments that stay with you,” says Canavan. “It might be a smile from someone you’ll never see again – and that's what shapes your memory of an entire country.”

In the evening, travelers sleep in bamboo beach huts or pitch tents on a secluded island, often gathering around a bonfire to share stories, stargaze, and drift off to sleep with the sound of the ocean.

“On many of these islands, you’ll be the only ones there, and the beauty is beyond words,” Canavan says. “The sand is so white, the water is so clear, and the sunsets are absolutely perfect.”