Top 10 Things to Do in
Port Barton

Port Barton is a hidden gem in Philippines on the island of Palawan. Tourists, including us, are slowly uncovering its treasures, hence the place is becoming more and more popular. It makes for a perfect summer holiday destination for solo-backpackers as well as families. Here is a list of some of the best places to visit in Port Barton.

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Places to visit

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Coconut Beach

1. Coconut Beach

It took us about 30 minutes of paddling from Itaytay beach in Port Barton, however the Coconut beach is also accessible via tricycle or boat tour. The beach looks stunning thanks to its palm trees lined up on the shoreline and beautiful white sand. The Coconut beach is famous amongst tourists for an unusual reason - for some friendly pigs that occupy this part of the island. Unfortunately, during our few hours of sunbathing and swimming, we didn't see any. However, a couple from our hotel visited the site one day before and reported that they indeed saw the pigs (and apparently they were very cute). I guess you have to be lucky. I should also mention that after you step foot on the beach, you must pay 50-100 pesos to a local as the "entrance fee". 

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White Beach

2. White Beach

Located very close to Coconut beach (it took us only 10 minutes of paddling on kayak), the White beach is told to be even more beautiful thanks to its picturesque white sand that stretches over the bay. We certainly enjoyed our time here and it is definitely worth visiting. Know that the shoreline looks very similar to the Coconut beach, its only perk might be that the water is a little bit more beautiful and enjoyable to swim in, however we thought that the Coconut beach was a little bit more clean. Few small eateries reside on the shoreline to provide refreshment.

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Starfish Island (photo: [foursquare.com])

3. Starfish island

A key stop in many island hopping tours, this island prides itselfs with and abundance of starfish. Snap some memorable photos and remember to observe them respectfully without disturbing their natural habitat. This island can be reached by boat or a longer kayak trip.

Restaurants to try out

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Mojito RestoBar (photo: [tripadvisor.com])

4. Mojitos RestoBar

The owner of this bar has a big heart for stray cats and dogs, especially the ones that have been unlucky to have some disability, a broken leg or missing eye. Prepare to be surrounded by these animals while dining. We visited this restaurant on our first night in Port Barton, the atmosphere was charming and very welcoming. We ordered some gnocchi and chicken saté, the food was tasty but we found it to be too expensive for what we were given. However, the bar had a great selection of drinks and cocktails and might be worth visiting to try some of them. (P.S. If you're planning a date night, this seemed like a perfect place.)

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Joan's Cousine

5. Joan's Cousine (Purok masigla, barangay Port Barton San Vicente, Palawan)

Hosting the best paella in town, this restaurant seemed to be quite popular (probably thanks to its google search reviews) as it was filled with tourists every night. Don't expect any fancy decor, just traditional Filipino canteen style restaurant with delicious meals and friendly staff. We tried out the seafood paella and were amazed by the meal. 

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Raquel's canteen

6. Raquel’s Canteen

During the day they serve canteen/buffet style meals - you can pick from cooked foods on display, anything from vegetarian options to hearty meaty meals. The portions are reasonable for the price and you can ask for as much as you like. I would recommend to visit this canteen in the evening. They offer a variety of fish, vegetables and chicken and grill it for you on the spot. We've been here twice and would go again anytime. My favorite was grilled tuna :). 

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Local Bakery [photo: m. bach]

7. Local Bakery

We've stumbled upon this place accidentally, as it was on our way from the city center to our hotel. It might be hard to find as it takes up maybe 1 m^2 of land, consisting of one cart filled with baked goods and a person calling on you to try them. We had focaccia, brownie and cinnamon roll, and stopped by probably every other day. A perfect place for lunch!

Things to do

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Kayaking

8. Kayaking

Explore the stunning coastline and hidden coves of Port Barton at your own pace by renting a kayak. Paddle along the tranquil waters, discover secluded beaches inaccessible by larger boats, and get up close to the dramatic rock formations. Kayaking offers a fantastic opportunity for exercise and adventure while allowing you to appreciate the natural beauty of the area from a unique perspective. You can rent kayaks from various spots along the main beach.

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Island Hopping Tour

9. Island hopping Tour

No trip to Port Barton is complete without embarking on an island-hopping tour. These excursions typically take you to several breathtaking islands and snorkeling spots, allowing you to discover the incredible marine biodiversity of the area. Swim alongside colorful fish, marvel at vibrant coral reefs, and perhaps even spot a sea turtle. Lunch is usually included, making it a full day of exploration and unforgettable aquatic adventures. Choose from various tour packages to suit your interests.

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Drink buko while watching the sunset

10. Drink buko while watching the sunset

As the day draws to a close, find a comfortable spot along the beach, order a refreshing buko (young coconut juice), and prepare to witness a spectacular Port Barton sunset. The sky transforms into vibrant hues as the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the waters. It's the perfect way to unwind, soak in the peaceful atmosphere, and reflect on the beauty of your island escape. 

The last three paragraphs of this post were created with the help of OpenAI. (2023). GPT-4 [Large language model].  


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