With over 7,000 islands making up its beautiful country, the Philippines, in general, is a giant snorkeling spot and Port Barton, Palawan is certainly no exception.
This lovely little fishing and farming village is most well-known (or unknown) for its tranquility. While lazing on the beach is probably our favorite Port Barton activity, there are plenty of other activities to dive into when you tire of lying under the sun, gazing off into the lovely horizon.
Snorkeling is one of the top activities to explore the waters and islands around Port Barton. Check out the best snorkel spots around Port Barton!
But before you strap on your fins and dive in, here are some tips on snorkeling in Port Barton, Palawan:
Tip#1. Get an Early Start
As they say, the early snorkeler sees the fish. Actually, they don’t say that. Fish are around all the time – in fact, they live there full-time. But ocean conditions are the best in the morning. Around 8 AM is probably the best time to set off.
If you organize a full-day island hopping and snorkeling excursion with a local fishing boat, it’ll typically start around 8 AM and last until around 4 PM. Make sure lunch is included and that there will be enough – you’ll be raving starved after a few hours of snorkeling.
Tip #2. A Boat with a Canopy
The full-day excursions mean you’re going to be spending a lot of time on the boat. Make sure you get a boat with a canopy for shelter from the sun and also in the event of rain. In tropical climates, the rain sometimes comes without much warning and it can get really cold, really fast.
Tip #3. Check the Tides
Reefs are great since that’s where the fish congregate, however they’re pretty rough for humans. Protect your skin against the corals (and vice versa) by checking to see that the tide isn’t too low before you set off to snorkel.
Tip #4. Get a Snorkel
It’s a really smart idea to invest in a snorkel beforehand. Port Barton is not the most lively place on the planet – which is a huge part of its charm – and it doesn’t have a huge collection of rental shops.
You’ll be able to rent snorkel gear at Palawan Easy Dive but it’d be better to have your own mask and snorkel so you don’t have to roam around the sleepy village and also so you know that your gear is legit.
Tip #5. Beware the Jellyfish
Port Barton is occasionally invaded by swarms of jellyfish. The blue jellyfish are pretty alarming looking but not really harmful – still, if you’re going snorkeling during jellyfish season, bring along a light wetsuit and some vinegar.
Tip #6. Stay covered, stay safe
Make sure you’re covered for travel-related incidentals wherever you roam so you can relax and concentrate on having fun. We highly recommend World Nomads. They cover travelers from over 150 countries around the world, offer great rates, and cover a range of travel-related costs from the more commonplace – lost baggage and cancellation costs – to the more severe – emergency medical and evacuation assistance as well as coverage for a wide range of adventure sports and activities.
Ready to go snorkelling? Check out the best snorkel spots in Port Barton, Palawan.