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Candaraman Island and Starfish Island in Balabac

Candaraman Island and Starfish Island

Candaraman Island is one of the main highlights of Balabac Palawan alongside Onok Island and Punta Sebaring. Among Balabac’s 32 islands, Candaraman Island is a top destination because of the sandbar near it which we call Starsfih Island, teeming with adorable Chocolate Chip Starfish that are countless in number.

Candaraman Island

The island of Candaraman lies near mainland Balabac, making the trip quite long. If you’re coming from our campsite in Punta Sebaring, it would take ideally 1.5 hours (or 2 if the wave is against the boat), but there is usually a stopover in another sandbar before arriving there. The travel time will reward you with a beach stuffed with palm trees making you completely feel the tropical island vibe. You will know it is Candaraman when you see the docking station which also serves as a helipad. Yes, the owner comes to his island by helicopter!

What to Do in Candaraman Island

Dining cottages make it perfect for a lunch stop after a long trip. Feel free to bring a hammock you can hang on the trees, or better yet walk the stretch of the long beach with an incredible viewfront. You will find a number of slanting palm trees that you can dare to climb up to, or take a photo under its shade. Last but definitely the best thing to do is to dip in the water and be refreshed from the sun!

Unlike the sand in Punta Sebaring, Candaraman Island’s beach is not white and pure, but has some small pieces of coral, and it gets hot to step on when exposed to the sun so it is very advisable to wear flipflops. 

Playing with slanting trees in Candaraman Island
Playing with slanting trees in Candaraman Island

 

Starfish Island  

A few minutes away from the shores of Candaraman Island lies Candaraman Sandbar which is more popularly known as Starfish Island. This sandbank appears and sinks based on the tide level. Fortunate are those who arrive here during low tide when the sandbank rises dotted with a lot of starfish! Don’t fret when you arrive on high tide because that is when snorkeling becomes “stargazing”! Dive and swim with these cute creatures!

Caring for Starfish

Chocolate Chip Starfishes needs to stay damp to live. So please help us preserve them by keeping them where they are and not lifting them above water just to take pictures. The best way to enjoy them is to go underwater and just leave them to be in the sand. You adjust not them!

Floating above starfish Sandbar in Candaraman Island during hightide
Floating above starfish Sandbar in Candaraman Island during hightide

Camping in Candaraman Island

Like most of the islands in Balabac, Candaraman is privately-owned, which means that the availability to camp overnight depends on its owner’s discretion. People used to be able to camp there until recently when the owner closed it! There are plans to develop this untouched island as a cruise ship stopover πŸ™ Now they have opened the island for day trips only.

How To Visit Candaraman Island and Starfish Island

You can either join a 4D3N Group Tour on one of our scheduled trips or a Private Tour on any date you prefer. Candaraman is one of the highlight of our trip now that it is opened again for daytrips!

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Complete List of 2023 Group Tours

2023 SKEDS Balabac Palawan Joiner Tour
2023 SKEDS Balabac Palawan Joiner Tour

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

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Recent Guest Reviews

EXCELLENT
150 reviews on
Mau
Mau
August 28, 2023
Verified
The best island life experience All the team behind our Balabac trip was amazing and incredible! They were all friendly and helpful in our 4 days in Balabac. We went to the best and most pristine beaches in Balabac - and I must say, as a Filipino, this is probably the best beach I have seen in the Philippines! All the food they cooked and prepared were all delicious and the crabs were the bomb! We did karaoke two nights in a row and played volleyball with the local people in the village. The best way to enjoy Balabac!
Wanderer29768033894
Wanderer29768033894
August 28, 2023
Verified
Highly recommended! We had a great time! Really appreciated how love and dedication was put onto everything All of the personnel was very kind, food was great, tours very well planned .. So far, the highlight of our trip so we will recommend the tour to friends and family! ????
Xandra
Xandra
August 22, 2023
Verified
Best place ???? We really enjoyed our stay in your little community.. we really feel the warmth and care as we enter your place..you guys are really so welcoming..and we also enjoy the food, it was all delicious..???? looking forward to visit again soon with my family and friends.. thank you so much and best regards! ????????????
Mimi T
Mimi T
August 15, 2023
Verified
This is vacation! I love the whole experience. This is what a vacation should be. Relaxed. Connecting with nature. No wifi! This is recharging your well-being. Kudos to your team for taking good care of us! Keeping us safe! They were diligent in following all protocols. Food servings were generous. Healthy eating.
Emma Silvia Mancinella
Emma Silvia Mancinella
July 30, 2023
Verified
Best travel adventure This was the best thing we did in our backpacking trip to Southeast Asia. The islands are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, the vegetarian food was really good and the best part of the trip was our guide Jeremy and the rest of the group! They were amazing! I would do this tour again any day! Thank you for having us ????
Isabela
Isabela
July 8, 2023
Verified
Most authentic experience Thi experience was one of the best I have ever made. You will going to stay in an authentic Philippino village on the beach, eat simple but delicious food, enjoy amazing staff and people. This is not for everyone but only for who wants truly to leave an authentic experience, leaving at home expectation and comfort and just enjoy adventure. Balabac I think will be soon well known so I feel lucky that I can visit now. Highly suggested and I will be back as soon as possible. Thank you!
Nickola O
Nickola O
June 14, 2023
Verified
We want to go back already! We went on the 4D3N tour and we absolutely loved it. The staff were lovely and food really good considering the location. The camp site is very basic as they mention but has everything you need and only adds to the experience. The islands you visit are so beautiful and quiet with the clearest water we have ever seen. This was definitely our highlight in the Philippines.
Isabel G
Isabel G
June 14, 2023
Verified
Amazing tour and authentic island life Through this tour, we were able to authentically experience island life in the Philippines. The campsite was situated on a beautiful island with great spots for swimming, and sunset and sunrise watching. Accommodations are comfortable and basic, perfect for those looking for adventure and to experience something new. Food was very good, a lot better than I expected (3 meals a day with an afternoon snack). Island hopping days went seamlessly and were filled with beautiful sights and the most pristine beaches. The staff who helped with the tour were the best, very helpful, and fun, and with their expertise we were able to visit all the islands during the best times. I 100% recommend booking this tour.
Kendz
Kendz
June 14, 2023
Verified
Genuine Island Life Experience in Balabac Thank you for making our stay the most comfortable and fun we can possibly hope for. We love all the food prepared for us, all islands that we visited and the lovely people we met. It was a good decision to choose you for this indelible unique experience, and truly, one of the most memorable trips my friend and I ever had. 'Til next time! Continue the good work you are doing there guys! P.S. I also hope there will be an effort to clean up the coastline, especially the walk on Punta Sebaring sandbar that has one of the best sunsets and powdery sand that Boracay will surely envy. Maybe, we can add some initiatives like asking tourists or even locals if they will want to join a clean up activity (no pressure of course!) in the morning to pick up bottles/ trash - sort of early sunrise bonding then coffee at the end..
diggz j
diggz j
June 6, 2023
Verified
Superb The staff were very nice especially Jeremy who really took care of us from the start til the end of our tour, kudos to Jeremy!