January 31 – February 14, 2012

Untouched beaches lined with soaring marble cliffs make up many of the islands throughout Bacuit Bay in the Philippines. But what lies just offshore makes a visit more than just a scenic week at the beach.

The Bacuit Bay Marine Reserve at the northern tip of Palawan Island is speckled with islets, sparkling-blue water and a variety of marine life. In addition to coral reefs and the fish they attract, the protected bay is home to manta rays, sharks and sea turtles. Head out on daily excursions with a knowledgeable guide who specializes in coral reefs. Scheduled excursions include swimming at shallow, grassy beds to see dugong populations and an exhilarating night snorkel in search of sharks and octopuses.

But first things first: Before you arrive at Palawan Island, you’ll go to a different spot for a rare opportunity to swim with whale sharks. The Bay of Donsol is often considered the whale shark capital of the world, and early March is an ideal time to see them there.

Trip Itinerary

Tuesday-Thursday January 31-February 2: US / Manila, Philippines
Depart the United States on the recommended group flight. You’ll cross the International Date Line and “lose” a day. Proceed to the arrival hall where you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation. Mandarin Oriental (D)

Friday, February 3: Manila / Donsol
A late morning flight takes you to Legazpi on Luzon Island. Take a short drive to the coastal fishing village of Donsol. In the afternoon, snorkel at a nearby coral reef teeming with tropical fish. Join an informal talk on the biology and behavior of whale sharks and international conservation efforts to protect these magnificent creatures. Dinner tonight is a beach barbecue.Elysia Beach Resort (B,L,D)

Saturday, February 4: Donsol
Rise early for a whale shark snorkeling opportunity in the Bay of Donsol. Often called the “Whale Shark Capital of the World,” it has the largest numbers of recorded sightings of whale sharks anywhere on Earth. Known locally as butanding, whale sharks are the world’s largest living fish. They are generally solitary creatures except at rare locations, such as the Bay of Donsol, where they congregate in the shallow coastal waters to feed on plankton. Morning is prime time to encounter whale sharks, as they cruise the bay, mouths wide open, filter-feeding on plankton. In the afternoon, embark on a boat tour of the Ugod River to visit fishing communities and explore mangroves that line the river. Elysia Beach Resort (B,L,D)

Sunday, February 5: Donsol / Legaspi
Immerse yourself once again in the clear waters of the Bay of Donsol to snorkel with whale sharks. As they gently glide past, it becomes clear why these huge fish are revered as possessing divine or magical properties in many of the world’s cultures. In the late afternoon, drive to Lignon hill to view Mt. Mayon, the world’s most perfect stratovolcano. Also visit Cagsawa ruins, the only evidence of a town that perished during an eruption in 1814. Hotel Venezia (B,L,D)

Monday, February 6: Palawan / Miniloc Island
In the morning, fly to Manila where you’ll connect with a short flight to Palawan and transfer to Miniloc Island. In the afternoon, snorkel at the main reef of El Nido Marine Reserve, where enormous schools of snapper and giant trevallies are often seen; groupers, sergeant majors, damsels and fusiliers are among other tropical fish here. With luck, you could see green, hawksbill and olive ridley turtles, too. Your home for the next few nights is a beautiful coastal village-style resort set in a cove against a backdrop of sheer limestone cliffs. Miniloc Island Resort (B,L,D)

Tuesday, February 7: Miniloc Island / Tapiutan Island
Travel by boat to Tapuitan, an outer island in Bacuit Bay, famous for its concentration of marine life. Encounter colorful reefs surrounded by white sand beaches and towering marble cliffs. In the afternoon, visit Tapuitan Strait and several unusual environments, including a marine lake with its own “secret” beach. Snorkel in a current-swept coral outcropping where thousands of reef fish gather. Miniloc Island Resort (B,L,D)

Wednesday, February 8: Miniloc Island / Abdeens Reef / Simizu Channel
Begin the day with a snorkel at Abdeens reef, a shallow coral garden containing a dazzling number of coral species. After an early lunch, visit nearby Simuzu Channel for a drift snorkel through the shallow, narrow channel, where fields of boulder coral host schools of reef fish. At sunset embark on a thrilling night snorkel for a chance to see many of the reef creatures that are elusive during the day, including octopuses, lionfish, anemone crabs, and rays to name a few. Miniloc Island Resort (B,L,D)

Thursday, February 9: El Nido Marine Reserve / Lagen Island / Pinisil Island
Explore the shallow and incredibly colorful coral gardens along the western shores of Lagen Island. Here we have the opportunity to see some of the largest thickets of staghorn coral in Bacuit Bay. Enjoy lunch at Lagen Island Resort, then snorkel around the nearby reef. This area has been protected for more than 10 years and hosts thriving corals and fish. Look for butterflyfish, parrotfish, wrasse, triggerfish, angelfish, surgeonfish, damselfish and rabbitfish. After lunch visit Pinisil cave for the chance to kayak and snorkel. See cathedral-like caves, walls and shallow coral gardens. Miniloc Island Resort (B,L,D)

Friday, February 10: Sulu Sea / Apulit Island
Transfer to the east side of Palawan to explore the Sulu Sea. The drive through lowland rain forest makes for great birding. Look for the greater coucal and chestnut-breasted malkoha, both found only on Palawan. From the small town of Taytay, take a boat to Apulit Island. The island is privately owned by the resort and the spectacular reefs that surround it are pristine and accessible only to guests. Explore outer reef slopes and the seaward fringing reefs of Taytay Bay. Apulit Resort (B,L,D)

Saturday, February 11: Apulit Island / Noa Noa Island
After breakfast take a boat trip to Noa Noa Island, a small deserted island surrounded by a magnificent reef. Snorkel among the shallow reef flats and steep, sloping fringing reefs that plummet into the crystal clear blue waters. Have lunch beachside, and continue exploring the reefs during afternoon snorkeling outings. Apulit Resort (B,L,D)

Sunday, February 12: Apulit Island / Green Cake Island
Green Cake Island is a towering limestone outcropping that stands like a sentinel in the sea. It is surrounded by a shallow reef flat that drops off quickly into the deep blue. Snorkel at the shallow coral gardens, with the opportunity to see several rare and delicate species of coral, and also along the edge of the reef flats where thousands of fish dwell. This area also hosts large swaths of sea grass where gentle dugongs can sometimes be found grazing. This afternoon kayak to the reefs along the south side of Apulit Island where large adult reef fish can be found, including several resident species of grouper that exceed four feet in length. There will also be a chance to kayak through large sea caves. Enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel this evening. Apulit Island Resort (B,L,D)

Monday, February 13: Apulit Island/Manila
Relax at the resort or take a walk to the island’s summit for a commanding view of surrounding islands. Fly back to Manila this afternoon with time to relax at the hotel and have dinner on your own. Mandarin Oriental (B,L)

Tuesday, February 14: Depart 
This morning, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. (B)