An exceptional island-hopping adventure from one palm-fringed tropical island to another, culminating in Coron to snorkel or dive on a fleet of Japanese shipwrecks, and to kayak around spectacular, towering limestone islands. This is an ideal trip for divers and non-divers together.
Our transport will be traditional outrigger "bancas" (pictured below) and flamboyant "jeepneys" as we hop from one Robinson Crusoe hideaway to the next.
Our first stop will be Puerto Galera in Northern Mindoro which has a lively beach scene. With four days here, those who wish to can undertake an Open Water diving course (if already divers, can take further dive courses) or just enjoy some excellent snorkelling, a string of pretty beaches, a chance to go kayaking and to explore the area. Mountain bikes can be rented to go further inland.
From here we will travel by local "jeepney" and outrigger "banca" around the island of Mindoro to a tiny island with just one rustic beach resort and a perfect white sand beach. Two full days here to enjoy one of the most idyllic beaches, snorkel, or a visit to the local township of Sablayan.
Those divers amongst us have the option to make a full day trip to the awesome Apo Reef, one of the Philippines' top dive spots - an underwater lagoon featuring dramatic walls and dropoffs that attract lots of pelagics as well as encouraging impressive coral formations. Nearby Hunter Rock is alive with sea snakes!.
Next we make an open water boat crossing to the group of islands located half way between Mindoro and the long, finger-shaped island of Palawan known as the Calamian Group. A whole fleet of Japanese ships were sunk here by American planes during WWII, twelve of which now lie in shallow waters (to about 40m) and have become exceptional artificial reefs.
Our accommodation will be at the beautiful island eco-resort of Sangat Island Reserve, 
located in a cove of a karst limestone island in Coron Bay, with its own private beach and dive centre. A naturalist's paradise! Kayaks will be available to borrow so that you can paddle off to explore neighbouring islands, reefs and mangrove forests. Each day the banca will take us to visit, for example, the extraordinary brackish water lakes of Coron Island, a dramatic karst limestone island that is the home of the primative Tagbanwa Tribe, or to snorkel over the best wrecks and reefs, drop in on uninhabited islands, explore beaches, sea caves and coral gardens.
Finally we will return to Manila by overnight ferry - a large comfortable ship that sails just once per week.
* For those unable to join for the full duration, there are options to join the group on Pandan Island or to depart early from Busuanga by flight back to Manila (note: baggage allowance on the small plane is just 10 kg).
If you like the idea of this trip but can't make these dates, let us design a tailored trip especially to suite you.
How this holiday makes a difference
Coco Beach Resort, Pandan Island Resort and Sangat Island Reserve all run proactive programmes to protect their coral reefs and natural environments, and promote environmental responsibility amongst the local people. Coco Beach is a community based operation which engages local families who will be your hosts at the resort.
In addition £20 for each person who books this tour will be donated to the Philippines Reef and Rainforest Foundation. This charity is committed to ensuring the long-term conservation of the marine and terrestrial environment in the Philippines through education and poverty alleviation.
On all of our tours we employ local staff and are committed to the development and education of our staff providing training sessions, travel opportunities and other opportunities to participate in Community Based Tourism Projects within Cambodia. When clients book a tour with us they are also provided with information about local charities they can support and a guide to local restaurants and crafts.
We have been actively implementing green practices which stretch from our offices to our partners throughout the whole of South East Asia. We have spent 13 years enthusiastically researching socially and environmentally sensitive tourism opportunities in South East Asia.
At a local level we actively participates in reducing its environmental impact by recycling and reducing the amount of paper transactions by providing our information to our clients electronically. We also use fans in the office instead of air conditioning.
Notes
If none of the scheduled departure dates fit with your plans, this itinerary can be adapted and tailored to meet your dates, preferences and passions. Please contact one of our bespoke holiday planners to create the ideal itinerary for you.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Manila.
Arrive Manila where a vehicle and driver will meet you and take you to your hotel to check in. In the evening there will be a welcome meeting and briefing. The hotel is located in Ermita, central Manila, from where it is a short stride to Malate district, the seat of Manila cafe society. In the evenings, the bars and cafes along Adriatico St. and around Remedios Circle are hives of Bacchanalian activity. It is entirely possible that you will witness impromptu performances of poetry, dance, song, etc. by coffee and alcohol saturated young hopefuls. Overnight Manila (3* city hotel).
Day 2: Manila - Puerto Galera (B).
Breakfast at the hotel then transfer by minibus to Batangas, where you board the Sikat ferry to Puerto Galera (2 hrs. road and 2 hrs. boat). Keep a careful watch out on the crossing as dolphins are a common sight. Another sight worth staying on deck for is Puerto Galera's beautiful natural harbour, named by the Spanish sailors who used to shelter their galleons here from tropical typhoons. On arrival, a traditional outrigger boat, or “banca”, will take you a little further around the coast to Coco Beach Resort, picturesquely set into a private cove with its own beach, restaurant and swimming pool. 
Check into your accommodation, all built from natural materials and decorated with local arts and crafts. For divers, you may do a check out dive today followed by your first proper dive of the holiday! For the non-divers, you can simply relax or explore the neighboring beaches of Small La Laguna, Big La Laguna and Sabang - the hub of night time activity.
Day 3-6: Puerto Galera (B).
Four full days to enjoy the beach, dive, snorkel, kayak, go mountain biking or simply sun & swim. You could explore inland where the Mangyan tribal people live a very traditional, simple existence of swidden farming in the hills.
For evening entertainment there are many seafood restaurants on the beach front and the nightlife kicks off on Sabang beach, a 20 minute walk with torch crossing rocky headlands and passing Small La Laguna Beach.
For divers there are two scheduled dives per day, returning to Coco Beach in between. Most dives are just a few minutes away by boat. For meals, there is a plethora of choice scattered along the string of 4 beaches to choose from. Enjoy!
Dive Training: These four days are also an ideal opportunity for non-divers to learn to dive or for existing divers to advance their training.
Day 7: Puerto Galera - Pandan Island (B/L/D).
After breakfast, we set off by banca again for an enjoyable one and a half hour sail to Abra de Ilog. The journey is then continued by private jeepney to Sablayan - a further 3 hrs - before boarding another banca which will take you to the quiet and beautiful island of Pandan. Jeepneys are the ubiquitous local form of road transport and are characteristically Filipino. They are often fantastically decorated and quite often will date (in part at least!) back to WW II. Views when riding in Jeepneys are often restricted, but there are three positions which overcome that problem - in front with the driver, right at the back or on the roof! Lunch, dinner and overnight at Pandan Island.
Day 8: Pandan Island (B/L/D).
Besides the excellent coral gardens for snorkeling and diving, there is also some splendid terrestrial scenery on this gorgeous island. There are Palm fringed, white sand beaches in the south, and in the north, verdant jungle which comes right down to the beach (worth a look for those interested in fauna and flora). For the more sedentary there is always the well stocked beach bar to prop up. For divers there are 2 scheduled dives today with the resident Divemaster. Overnight at the solar powered Pandan Island Resort.
Day 9: Pandan Island (B/L/D).
Another relaxing day. Divers, however, can choose a full day dive trip to the amazing Apo Reef, one of the best dive spots in the Philippines. This is an underwater lagoon featuring dramatic walls and drop offs that attract lots of pelagics as well as encouraging impressive coral formations. Nearby Hunter Rock is alive with sea snakes. Overnight at Pandan Island Resort.
Day 10: Pandan Island - Coron (B/L/D).
Breakfast at Pandan before departing by private banca to Busuanga, the largest of the Calamian Group of islands located just north of Palawan. The crossing will take about 6 hrs with picnic lunch on route, and can sometimes be a bit rough. Watching out for flying fish, Dolphins or other marine animals might alleviate the hours on board, but the scenery around Busuanga is well worth the wait. This is an archipelago of many razor-backed, tropical jungle clad islands of sheer limestone. If you are not impressed, visit your GP immediately upon your return. Accommodation will be at the stunning Sangat Island Reserve, a very natural eco-resort located on a white sand beach surrounded by karst limestone hills.
Days 11-13: Coron Bay: Sangat Island Reserve (B/L/D).
Sangat is ideally situated in the heart of Coron Bay, made famous for the vast number of sunken Japanese W.W.II shipwrecks - a divers paradise! Indeed the nearest wreck is just around the headland from the beach, a short fin away. For the next three days, divers can explore the wrecks with 2 boat dives per day (included) and any additional dives that you wish to do, in agreement by the Sangat Divemaster, at their own expense. Non divers can relax on the beautiful beach, visit the islands hot springs, go birdwatching, trekking, 
kayaking or snorkelling over the kaleidoscopic reefs, or join any of the complimentary excursions being offered by the resort each day. Private trips away from the island can also be arranged - there are always boats available. And what is the best thing after an active day in Paradise? A nice relaxing Massage. On request you can also have a native physiotherapeutical treatment.
Day 14: Busuanga - Manila (B/L/D).
For the rest, final morning of diving the wrecks, kayaking and snorkeling, or just enjoying the remarkable scenery. Then return to Busuanga Island and to the air field for the 90 minute flight by small plane back to Manila, ready to connect to your flight home.
PRICE
- Divers: USD 2,192 (18 Dives)
- Non-Divers: USD 1,508
- Single Supplement: USD 533
NOTE: Baggage allowance on the flight back to Manila is only 15kg so, if bringing your own dive gear, you will need to purchase excess baggage allowance when you check in. the cost for this is approx. US$3 per kilo (at time of writing).
Notes
Price quoted is based on minimum 4 people and may be subject to change.
What people say
From: "Amanda Spencer"
Date: 23 January 2004 23:57:56 GMT+07:00
To: "Christopher gow" <gow@symbiosis-travel.com>
Subject: The BIGGEST thank-you
Dear Chris
We have had the most fantastic time I don't know where to start. The boring stuff first. The whole trip ran like clockwork. From start to finish, at every location at the appointed time there were people to meet/greet/transfer/check-in - all of them expecting us. The only slight confusion and I think a little disappointment was Sangat had expected us to be a party of four.
I was very happy to be guided by you when we were planning the trip and we are both impressed with your insight into the kind of people we are. I think it was as we discovered our hut on the beach at Pandan, Adrian said we should buy you a bottle of champagne or something. The running order was perfect, starting with the most civilised and populated (and highest being in cottage 34 only 152 steps up) working our way to more and more remote places. I think we had some apprehensions before going, that trying to go to so many places would make us feeling rushed & unsettled - but not at all. Everywhere was so relaxed and welcoming it only took us an hour or so before we were unpacked, next dive planned and completely at home. Each stay felt like a week - so good.
Diving has been amazing and varied. Cold at Puerto Galera, with the water temp down to 23/24 degrees, but everywhere else has been a constant 28 - perfect. Reefs spectacular - seen some new creatures (snakes, black frogfish, pygmy seahorse) as well as hoards of other stuff. Had a bit of a result at Pandan (could live there forever - interestingly the island opposite is up for sale but I don't know how much) as we were joined by 3 Canadians on the Apo Reef trip. So even after 2 extra dives each and several rums they owed usmoney.
And the wrecks - wow! Awesome in the true sense of the word. With poorer visibility you drop down the buoy line into gloom and it's not until you get to about 15/18m that the enormity of the vessels come into view. Diving with Discovery (could live there forever too - and if I don't find myself a job here soon Gunter says he needs a manager...) we were guided by Gerd who is so enthusiastic it really rubs off. We felt very special as we had the place to ourselves apart from one German guy. Gunter is a great host, dining with us then off to Otto's bar for an evening of pool, beer and rock & roll music. Scored a hit with Otto as we share the same all time favourite band - The Rolling Stones.
And then to Sangat (could definitely live there forever as well). I think Andy is a bit reserved at first but very soon we hit it off - same warped sense of humour. You should have said he liked Marmite. We felt special here as well. Andy came for an early morning dive with us and let us share his bottle of HP sauce for breakfast! He even ferried us to the airport. In the words of Monty Python "you don't know how lucky you are"
And you're right - Manila is a dump covered in smog but we stayed in the extremely pleasant confines of the hotel.
So now we're home to the grey of England (boo) I'm sure it won't be too long before you can help us again. Just need to find a job before my tan fades.
I will send you the edited photographic highlights as soon as they come if the internet will take it.
thank-you, thank-you,thank-you
Amanda & Adrian
PS: Everyone sends you their very best regards - Gunter and Andy in particular
Coco Beach
A Symbiosis favourite, Coco Beach is located on its own private beach in a cove wrapped by steep, richly forested hills. Construction is entirely from renewable, native materials - coconut wood, bamboo and nipa palm thatch - that blend perfectly into the natural environment.
Coco Beach Island Resort is staffed by local families from the Puerto Galera area all of whom have a stake in the resort's success, and this all helps to contribute to the cozy ambience and uniquely Filipino style. This is a happy place. What it loses in professionalism it more than makes up for in charm.
Coco Beach is the largest hotel in Puerto Galera with around about 100 Rooms but, since it is sited on a huge 10 hectare area, every cottage feels wonderfully private. Plenty of room for its four restaurants, two swimming pools, tennis court, hanging bridge, basketball court and children's playground... all designed to blend in with the natural environment
Although the huts are made entirely of native materials, Coco Beach's Danish and Filipino owners have incorporated many contemporary touches to make it comfortable. All rooms have their own private shower and toilet.
Dive Shop
Coco Beach Divers, the in house dive centre, is well equipped with up to date Scubapro and Seaquest dive gear for rent. There is a large area for equipment wash-off and an area for safekeeping, class/video room, etc.
Bar and Music Lounge with Billiards
A place to relax in the evening, the huge round bar is a good place to sit with a good drink and talk with other guests or with the bartenders who might challenge you some cork games or a round of billiard.
Other facitilies
Internet Cafe
Medical Clinic: open from 8:00am to 8:00pm. Doctor and nurse on call 24 hours a day
Beauty Parlor
Library: a small selection of books, mostly love novels.
TV - Video Room
And many more
Full size Basketball and Tennis Court
Sports facilities
Swiming pool with separate Children's slide
Swiming pool with Jaccuzi
Coco Fitness Gym
Hammer Jeep
Massage Room
Tailor Shop
Accommodation:
There are several room types at Coco Beach:
Banana Deluxe House
A single house with only one room plus bathroom located on the hillside with excellent views out to sea. They are very private - so private that there is not even a door to the large balcony - just a curtain separating you from the nature.
Super Banana Deluxe
Similar to an ordinary Banana House but with a small attic upstairs suitable for up to two small children. These houses are located highest up the hillside and may require a 10 minute to walk reach.
Bungalow / Old Classic Deluxe
These are the original rooms - each bungalow contains two rooms and are good for families or for two couples who want to stay near each other. All bungalows have a private balcony with hammock and seaview. Only 2 of these rooms are on ground level, but quite far from the restaurant.
Suite Room
From the outside it looks similar to the bungalow deluxe rooms... but inside it is a lot larger. Each has a small sitting area with the bedroom separated by a sliding door. It has it's own private toilet and bathroom... And it's own private balcony with hammock.
Family Deluxe Room
4 very large two-floor cottages with a total of 16 family deluxe rooms. These are Coco Beach's most luxurious rooms.
Standard Room
Located at the back of the resort near the basketball and tennis courts, no seaview. Contained in s a single building, rooms are small but squeeze in up to 4 persons using a a unique bunk bed system - actually 3 beds, 1 double bed and 2 single beds.
Heritage
Heritage is a single building that has twelve air-condition rooms, each named after tribes in the Philippines. Each room has one day bed downstairs and a stair going to the attic where two more beds are located, a bathroom and separate toilet. Heritage is located at the back of the cove so there is no seaview. The Fiesta Pavilion is on the top floor which can accomodate up to a thousand guests. The Heritage is typically booked by local companies for overnight conferences.
At a glance::
* Name : Coco Beach Resort
* Destination : Philippines
* Location : Coco Beach is set on a private beach on the northern tip of Mindoro Island, accessible by boat from Puerto Galera or from the string of nearby beaches: Sabang, Small La Laguna or Big La Laguna. From Manila, 4 hours by road and ferry (or private boat).
* Seasons : Year round. Best time Jan to June. Typhoons possible July to December.
* Capacity : 200+
Room Facilities
Room Types : Several different kids of rooms including private chalets with panoramic views to the sea, family rooms, air-con rooms high on the hill behind the beach- Showers & toilets : en suite
- A/C : Some
- Hot Water : Yes
- Safety boxes: in every room
- Electricity : 220V, 2 pin (flat)
Entertainment: Pool, kayaks, dive centre, beach volleyball, bar & restaurant
Safety
* Fire warning system : Yes
* Fire extinguishers : Yes
* Fire escapes : N/A
Dive location & resources
* Dive location : All the dive sitesof Puerto Galera. including the famous Verde Island
* Dive facilities : Fully equipped dive centre offering PADI dive courses fom beginner to instructor level
Room Rates 2011-2012 (per room in USD)
| Season: |
Lean |
Regular |
Peak |
| Standard |
44.80 |
67.20 |
89.60 |
| Deluxe |
67.20 |
89.60 |
112.00 |
Suite
Hilltop
Heritage (A/c) |
89.60 |
112.00 |
134.40 |
Seasons:
- Lean: 01 May to 31 October 2011
- Regular: 01 November to 30 April, excluing Christmas & Easter Holy Week
- Peak: Christmas (22 Dec to 01 Jan) & Easter (21-24 April 2011)
Prices include 12% Government tax
Pandan Island Resort
Pandan Island is a private resort island located on the west side of Mindoro / Philippines. Facing the South China Sea, halfway on the coastal road between Mamburao and San Jose, lays the small fishing town of Sablayan. Off its coast, only a twenty minutes boat ride away, is Pandan Island, a 12 ha big tropical island. Having been uninhabited for many years, this paradise was "discovered" by a French adventurer, who established Pandan Island Resort in 1986.
Most of Pandan Island is still covered by primeval forest abundant with all different kinds of birds and butterflies. Two secluded beaches, Wild Lagoon and Spanish Nose, invite to spend an afternoon away from it all and feel a little bit like Robinson. If you like to be more active you may go scuba diving, waterskiing, or join a kayak trip to one of the jungle rivers nearby, play volleyball, pool or darts and of course petanque. 
All bungalows are built in native materials, like coconut lumber, bamboo, sawali, cogon grass to let them blend easily into their tropical surroundings. Care has been taken to provide a simple yet comfortable atmosphere with a maximum of privacy for all who need to get away from hectic life. Each house has its private gecko ( lat. gecko gecko) that is said to bring good luck to the house it inhabits. The bungalows are built directly by the sea separated from the beach only by palm trees and / or bougainvillea bushes.
On Pandan Island you can choose between three different types of accommodation:
The family house - If you are having children, want to spend your holidays with friends together or are on your honeymoon, the family house is just right for you. The ground floor has a big terrace, a sitting area inside, two beds and the shower and toilet, in the first floor there is a big double bed and another terrace with a beautiful view over the beach. The standard bungalow - 
Standard Bungalows come in different styles that reflect the changes that Pandan Island Resort has undergone in the last 13 years. Whereas the earlier bungalows were mostly built on posts 'Single two' is a good example of this earlier period, the more recent house are more 'on the ground' with a solid concrete foundation. All the bungalows have plenty of space around them and are facing the sea. All bungalows have their own shower and toilet and the two mezzanine bungalow have a second floor with a second bed - ideal for families with kids or couples with quarrels.
The budget room - The Budget Rooms or ' the Bronx' as they are know by the insiders provide comfortable and affordable accommodation for travelers that are on a budget or people that spend all their time outdoors (or underwater). The five rooms share two bathrooms and two toilets, located on each side of the building. Like all the other bungalows on Pandan Island, also the budget rooms are directly on the beach, facing the South China Sea.
RESTAURANT & BAR - The restaurant serves a blend of Philippino and European cuisine. Tess, our chief cook, combines local dishes and exotic ingredients with European recipes to offer you a varied dining experience. All meat and vegetables are bought daily on the local market in Sablayan. Fish comes often directly from the local fisherman on the way home from their fishing grounds. Lunch and dinner are buffet style and offer a variety of fresh fish and meat with vegetables, seasonal fruits and coffee or tea. 
For your small appetite short orders like spaghettis, burgers, sandwiches , soups or salads are available during the day. Being under French management, there is always a selection of white and red wines available.
General Info
- Name : Pandan Resort
- Destination : Philippines
- Location : West coast of Occidental Mindoro
- Seasons : Year round - typhoons possible from June to December
- Capacity : not many!
Dive location & resources
- Dive location : Pandan Island, day trips to Apo Reef
- Dive facilities : Inhouse Dive Centre
Sangat Island Reserve
Sangat Island Reserve is located on a strip of brilliant white sand beach backed by towering karts limstone cliffs in Coron Bay, Northern Pawan, The Philippines. Right in front of the resort is one of the many Japanese WWII shipwrecks that litter this group of islands known as the Calamian Group, providing some of the philippines most exhilarating scuba diving.
The resort has ten exclusive, individual cottage-style accommodations, all based on local architectural style and using local materials. All cottages offer exquisite views over the beach and Bay of Coron. Full decks on the cottages provide lovely views of the horizon in the day and the stars at night.
There are Beachfront Cottages, complete with all amenities and a chance to be lulled to sleep by the sound of the sea, and Cliffside Cottages where the guest awakes from sounds made by the variety of the island's bird life. 
All cottages offer full bathroom and shower facilities and sleeping accommodations for up to three people. Designed and built according to the pattern utilized by the local peoples, only local materials are used by master craftsmen from the neighboring islands to build our cottages. In order to minimize damage to the ground cover, all cottages are built on stilts with overhanging decks for daytime relaxation. All cottages also have hammocks.
Sangat Island Reserve also has a wide variety of boats available for use. Our boats are designed and built by local craftsmen and can be used by the guest for a variety of activities. Boats, in fact, provide for all the logistics on the island as Sangat Island, ringing with limestone cliffs, is very difficult to traverse unless one is traveling by sea.For the real nature lovers who want the privacy of their own beach with the most exotic surrounding, Sangat Island Reserve now has available for rental a beautiful native style villa.
Sangat Island Reserve's beach-side restaurant offers international cuisine served buffet style. You will always be served a combination of fresh seafood delicacies and meats, vegetables, salads and fruits. Most of the foods are caught or picked on the day served. An emphasis on freshness and health are the objectives of the local Chef. All meals are buffet style with a wide variation of cooking styles from east to west.
At the bar you can taste exotic cocktails, international wines or the famous local San Miguel beer. The closing hour is up to our guests.The natural white beaches of Sangat and surrounding islands, crystal blue and fresh water lakes of nearby Coron Island provide a wide variety of exquisite swimming opportunities for children and adults.
Sangat Island Reserve also houses a diving facility with a PADI certified instructor. Dive courses are offered for all levels of diving. In addition to diving equipment, the resort offers full snorkeling equipment. The unique location of the resort provides access to more than 12 shipwrecks within a one hour distance from the beach (6 within 10 minutes). Resort facilities include a diving centre, restaurant, lounge and bar. The beachfront setting provides easy access to snorkeling and boating activities.
General Info
Name : Sangat Island Reserve- Destination : Philippines
- Location : south coast of Busuanga
- Seasons : Year round, typhoons possible June to December. Best time Jan to May
- Capacity : not many!
Room Facilities
- Room Types : Single, Double, Triple bedroomss
- Showers & toilets : en suite
- A/C : No
- Hot Water : No
- Entertainment : Diving, snorkelling, Kayaking, Island Hopping, Caluit Wildlife Park day trip possible
- Electricity : 220V
Dive location & resources
- Dive location : Coron Wrecks
- Dive facilities : Inhouse Dive Centre
