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Which Balabac Tour Operator Should You Book?

We know that you’re also looking at other tour operators in Balabac. And you should! Because all travelers should do their own research to find which tour package fits their personality and budget. So we are writing this blog to help you decide if you should choose another operator other than us, and to remind you what to look for.

“Should I Book Balabac Island Life Experience by The Wanderwalkers?”

You can answer this question easily! Just ask yourself first, “do I want (or can I) spend 3 nights or so camping in a tent or nipa hut in a white sand secluded beach with only the basic facilities, while enjoying the perks of nature?” If yes, then you should book us! Remember that our package is the only Island Life Experience in the only white powdery sand beach of Balabac. Yes there’s other island camping, too, in Candaraman Island but it’s not white sand like Boracay’s.

We’re sure (and sad) that this is not going to be the case forever because as we speak, two big companies (clue: A*a*a and S*n M, can you guess?) are already clearing their purchased chunk of our beach to develop resorts. So, if you’re into our Island Life Experience, grab the sooner you can, while nature is still untouched here!

But if you want more comfort, then please look for other packages that lets you sleep in the town. There are a lot of pages that are offering their Balabac tour. This is just like doing a tour in El Nido and Coron. You go for a day of island hopping then go home to a lodge. Our package let’s you go home to our beach.

I prefer to stay in the town, whom should I book?

Here’s the part where we want to be helpful to you even though you’re not availing our service. When looking for an operator to book from the mainland, consider the following factors:

  1. Reviews, reviews, reviews! Don’t just look at the price. Most are lowering their price to make it attractive, but cut on some costs like food and boat. Book the ones with good reviews on their page.
  2. Boat. This is especially for couples and small groups. Some operators will offer you a very low price but the boat they provide you is a small boat without roof. You’ve seen this cute boat in the pictures, but it’s not fun to ride it especially when it’s sunny or when the waves are big.

    One of the visitors of Balabac learned it the hard way when she and her boyfriend booked a cheap private package only to find out they were gonna be using a small boat during a big wavy day! They ended up canceling their tour and asked us to take them in our group.
  3. Inclusions. Again, don’t just look at the price, look at what is provided. Other Balabac tour operators publish lower prices but removes other inclusions such as van transfers and lodge fees. Then you will realize that you should have just booked an all-in package because it costs the same anyway.
fisherman
Avoid this boat. Tourism doesn’t allow this for tourists.

Conclusion

Traveling is the only thing you spend on that makes you richer! So when planning your trip, don’t just look at the price but consider how much precious moments you can get from a trip! Happy planning guys!

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Stay in Our Pick Up Locations In Puerto Princesa

Budget accommodation for backpackers:

Hostel Privado (with free luggage keeping service)

Mid-range accommodation:

Booking.com
EXCELLENT
213 reviews on
Saulė Šviečia
Saulė Šviečia
January 23, 2025
Verified
Very happy I really like the Wander Walkers agency. They organize and communicate very well. They send all the information before the travel what you need to bring for the tour. I liked the tour gide and boat crew. Everybody was very friendly and helpful. Definitely recommend.
Jemimah S
Jemimah S
January 8, 2025
Verified
Unforgettable Experience! The Balabac Tour by the Wanderwalkers was well organized! I got a hold of them through Facebook and booked a private tour for my family. I had absolutely no problem communicating with the company, they were very helpful and friendly. Yes, we did have to separately book and pay for our flights to get to Puerto Princesa and accommodation for one night. We stayed at Hostel Privado, which is a budget friendly option, but the hosts were very friendly and welcoming. It is also located on a strip full of restaurants and convenience stores, which is great if you needed to pick up last minute things before the trip. The van picked us up early at 4am in the morning the next day, and everything after that was provided for and coordinated by the tour company (i.e. meals, transportation, accommodations). The tour was not a luxurious experience, it's really more like camping on an island. But trust me, the experience is worth it! I also strongly recommend upgrading to a teepee hut if you can. The people at the basecamp were great! We definitely enjoyed the food! Our tour guide and boat crew were amazing companions throughout our entire trip. They really went above and beyond to ensure that our island hopping experience was to the fullest! You can also purchase wifi at the camp if you really needed it, but the reception is only strong by the dining hall. But I recommend staying offline to really enjoy the island life. And, of course, the views, the islands, the ocean, the white sand were unlike any other! This tour is truly one of those hidden gems that you must see at least once before the place gets even more developed and overcrowded with tourists. Be warned though, the boat rides are long (average 1 to 2 hours) and the motors are loud. So I recommend bringing earphones or earplugs for the trip. The boat seats aren't very comfortable, so your butt will get sore after sitting a long time, but they had extra life jackets that you could sit on, which helped a bit. Lastly, bring bug spray (You can also purchase some at the basecamp)!! There are sand mites at the basecamp. While they're completely harmless, the afterbites are incredibly itchy. I got bitten quite a bit, but I think it depends on each person because my dad was barely bit. Anyways, we hope to come back someday!
LAuditeur
LAuditeur
December 17, 2024
Verified
Unforgettable Expedition ! I joined the 4D/3N Balabac expedition this December 2024 with Wander Walkers. Despite the 1st day being a rainy one, the crew went above and beyond to please us and ensure we have a great time. The other 2 days were sunny and we saw some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. I will always cherish the memories created during this trip thanks to our guide Jeremy, our boat crew and the entire Wander Walkers staff who all were helpful, friendly and always available to make our trip a memorable one. Highly recommend them as THE experts in the matter in Balabac !
Yokki A
Yokki A
December 17, 2024
Verified
Wonderful time in Balabac I had a wonderful time in Balabac thanks to the Punta Sebaring team. Everything was perfectly organized, and the natural beauty of the islands is breathtaking. The hospitality and attentiveness of the team made this experience even more memorable.I highly recommend Punta Sebaring to anyone looking to explore this beautiful region. Thank you again to the entire team, and I hope to have the chance to return someday!
Raphael K
Raphael K
December 17, 2024
Verified
Fun island hopping trip I just returned from this 4 day 3 night tour. Was very beautiful trip seeing the different islands, especially on day 2. Jeremy was an excellent tour guide. He was able to communicate everything in English which was very helpful. He also was able to answer all my questions about the different islands and various other things about balabac. This was my second attempt after my first trip was cancelled in January because of coast guards travel advisory. They gave me a year to rebook for another trip with no extra charge. It was raining the first day, but we were still able to go. Day 2 and 3 had perfect weather so the trip was worth it. They provided 3 meals plus a snack each day. Options were for each meal had meat (beef/chicken/or pork), seafood (crabs or fish) , and vegetables dish. I personally didn’t really enjoy the food because I don’t eat seafood. They do have snacks on the island day trips but I would recommend also bringing extra. They also sell beer and other alcoholic beverages, as well as coke at the campsite. Recommend also bringing bug repellent for the mosquitoes and sand flies at the campsite. Overall this was 5 star trip. I had fun and Jeremy did a great job. I will probably go again in the future.
Christine A
Christine A
December 2, 2024
Verified
Balabac Survivor!🙏🏼💪🏼 Spent 4D3N in Punta Sebaring, Balabac. Met amazing and coolest people (our group, boat crew, kitchen crew, locals and our guide - Sir Jeremy).We got lucky, we got the island for a night.We also experienced sunny, rainy, splashy Balabac😂 and enjoyed it. Our captain was just sitting chill and brought us to each island and back home safe. (Thank you, Captain!) If you guys want to experience a real island life, disconnect for a while and reconnect with nature, I highly recommend them. You’ll have a slow morning, waiting for the sun to rise, appreciate the beauty of the island.Actually they exceeded my expectation. Will definitely be back!👍🏼
Abigail V
Abigail V
November 26, 2024
Verified
Best experience ever! I am so fortunate to have stumbled across WanderWalkers! I booked with them pre-Covid and had to cancel. I was pleasantly surprised that they refunded me. So I made a pact with myself that I would definitely rebook with them, and I finally did for my birthday.The tour guide Jeremy, boat crew and staff were all friendly and accommodating. They all made sure everyone was having a good time. Food was epic! The crabs, shrimps, fish and calamari! I had to ask Ate Tess for the recipes!My hut was more than what I expected. Can fit 2 to 3. It had a white and lacy mosquito net, and a ceiling fan - made me feel like an island princess. 😊And Balabac did not disappoint. I have never seen water that clear, the colors range from aquamarine to turquoise to deep blue. And the sand was so fine! I will try my best to go back... and next time, with friends and family.
Mika B
Mika B
November 21, 2024
Verified
Lithuanian couple A unique experience! A million impressions, a thousand smiles and indelible memories. I sincerely thank the whole team! You are unreal!