WOW Philippines 2024: Discovering Balabac, Palawan — The Most Beautiful Place I’ve Ever Visited (Heaven on Earth)

It’s cold outside—and even colder in my room right now—and I’m absolutely loving it! How are you, people of Earth? It’s been over a week since my short trip to our neighboring country, Taiwan. I went there for leisure and to create new content, and I can confidently say: I’m definitely going back.

Welcome to Balabac, Palawan! True Paradise!

As a first-timer, I completely fell in love with it. Everything just made sense—the vibe, the people, the place. But what truly impressed me was how advanced and efficient everything is. The technology there is on another level—from easy cashless payments to smart systems that make everyday life feel so seamless and convenient.

And don’t even get me started on the transportation. The trains, especially the Taipei Metro, were incredibly clean, fast, and always on time. It was so easy to navigate, even for a visitor like me. Moving from one place to another felt effortless, which made exploring so much more fun and stress-free. Honestly, it made me appreciate how organized and well-planned everything is.

But I’m going to pause my Taiwan stories for now because I’ll be creating a separate blog dedicated entirely to that trip—it deserves its own spotlight.

For now, let’s move on to the most beautiful place I’ve ever been to in my entire existence. And I’m not exaggerating when I say this—legit paradise. The kind of place that feels almost unreal the moment you step into it. Uncrowded, peaceful, and breathtaking in every possible way. It’s not just a destination… it’s a dream.

Part of me wants to gatekeep this place so badly—but let’s be real, it’s already all over the internet, and it’s no surprise why so many people are now adding it to their bucket lists. Balabac, Palawan is truly something else.

I feel so grateful—and honestly, a little proud—that I was able to experience its raw beauty back in 2022. Before the crowds, before it became everyone’s dream escape. It feels special knowing I witnessed it in its pure, untouched magic.

I remember a few months ago, while scrolling through X, I came across a post that said, “No matter your age, you’ll always wish you started younger. But today is the youngest you’ll ever be. So start today.”

That line stayed with me. And honestly, it feels so aligned with what I’m sharing right now—especially when I think about my trip to Palawan almost four years ago. I didn’t wait for the “perfect time.” I just went for it. Looking back, I’m so grateful I did, because that decision gave me memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime.

At first, my colleagues and I were thinking about going somewhere in Palawan. We weren’t sure exactly where, but we had two places in mind: El Nido or Coron. I was also considering just staying in Puerto Princesa.

Later on, one of my colleagues suggested a trip to Balabac — a destination that isn’t widely known yet. Although it was once featured on the popular Filipino documentary show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, it still remains relatively untouched and not overly commercialized. Many say its beauty rivals — or even surpasses — that of the Maldives.

The catch? Visiting Balabac can be more expensive and challenging due to limited and complicated transportation options.

Luckily, that colleague knew someone who had already been there and was organizing tours to Balabac. From there, everything moved quickly. We connected with her, created a small group chat on Messenger, and started discussing the itinerary — the places we’d visit, the costs, our accommodation, and all the other details.

The planning process was actually pretty smooth. But compared to my other local trips, traveling around Palawan is undeniably expensive — whether you choose El Nido, Coron, or Balabac. I guess that’s just the reality of visiting such breathtaking destinations.

Palawan is the southwesternmost large island of the Philippines, known for its long, narrow shape stretching between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. The island extends about 270 miles (434 km) from northeast to southwest and features a rugged mountain range running along its spine.

Its highest peak, Mount Mantalingajan, rises to about 6,840 feet (2,085 meters) in the southern part of the island. Off Palawan’s southern tip lies a group of islands, including Balabac Island and Bugsuk Island, which were once part of a land bridge that connected Palawan to Borneo during the Pleistocene Epoch. Because of this ancient connection, the island’s wildlife and plant life share many similarities with those found in Borneo.

Palawan has a long and irregular coastline lined with vibrant coral reefs, and around 1,800 smaller islands and islets surround the main island. Among the most notable island groups are the Calamian Islands in the north, the Cuyo Islands and Dumaran Island in the northeast, and the Balabac Island and Bugsuk Island groups in the south.

Most communities on the island are located along a narrow coastal plain that usually stretches less than 5 miles (8 km) inland. This plain, especially along the southeastern coast, serves as Palawan’s main agricultural area and contains the island’s only all-weather road. The largest urban center on the island is Puerto Princesa, situated along the east-central coast.

Often called the “last ecological frontier” of the Philippines, Palawan is famous for its remarkable biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes. The province includes around 1,780 islands scattered across clear turquoise waters, forming an emerald chain of tropical destinations.

One of the best ways to explore the region is through island-hopping, where travelers can experience some of Palawan’s most iconic attractions. These include the underground river at Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, the hidden lagoons of El Nido, and historic dive sites featuring World War II shipwrecks near Coron.

As far as I can remember, our trip to Balabac, Palawan more than three years ago lasted four days and three nights. In total, we spent around Php25,000 per person (approximately $430 USD), which already covered the joiner tour, accommodations, airfare, side food trips, meals, souvenirs, and other small expenses. Considering how remote and beautiful Balabac is, it was definitely worth it.

It was the fourth week of February when our adventure began. That afternoon, we flew from Manila to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. After a short stay in the city, a van picked us up around 3:00 AM for the long land trip to Buliluyan Port. From there, we boarded a speedboat that took us across the sea to Candaraman Island—our first glimpse of the stunning islands of Balabac.

To be honest, arriving there made me feel like I was one of the castaways in a new season of Survivor. Candaraman Island, where we stayed, felt incredibly raw and untouched, far from being commercialized. Because there were only a few houses on the island, our accommodation turned out to be a huge tent, which honestly surprised us at first. Good thing I’m already used to this kind of simple setup.

It was also my first time traveling with a group that included many foreigners. They were all outgoing and surprisingly open to experiencing the very traditional, old-school way of living in the province.

From the first day until our last, most of our time was spent island hopping. It was the Amihan(Northeast Monsoon) season, so we honestly thought we might not be able to visit some of the most breathtaking islands, especially Onok Island. The waves and weather can be very unpredictable during this time of the year. But God is great—we were still able to visit all the beautiful islands included in our itinerary.

On our first day, after arriving on Candaraman Island, we had breakfast, rested for a few hours, and then began our island-hopping adventure. It honestly felt like watching an episode of One Piece on Netflix—sailing from one island to another in search of paradise.

Aye aye, Captain!

Balabac, located at the southernmost tip of Palawan, is a remote island group known for its crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, rich marine life, and peaceful atmosphere. Often called the “Maldives of the Philippines,” it features over 30 idyllic islands like Onok Island, Pink Island, and Mansalangan Sandbar, perfect for island-hopping and snorkeling. Due to its secluded location near Sabah, visiting requires multiple transfers, but tour packages are available for a more convenient trip.

The best time to visit Balabac is during the dry season from December to May, when calm seas make boat travel easier, especially between March and May when the weather is at its sunniest. Accommodation options are simple, ranging from homestays and guesthouses to beach camps and cottages on remote islands, making it ideal for travelers who enjoy a more off-grid experience. Exploring Balabac is best done through island-hopping tours, which usually include boat rides and local transfers for a smoother journey. Since facilities are limited, it’s important to come prepared with enough cash, mosquito repellent, reef-safe sunscreen, and a power bank, as ATMs, stable signal, and shops are scarce in the area.