Kayaking through the last frontier of the coral triangle
Put on the skin of a Tagbanua sailor and explore this corner of the Coral Triangle by kayak on an expedition that takes us to Busuanga, the most northeastern island of the remote Calamian archipelago. The place that Jacques-Yves Cousteau dubbed the “last frontier” and which he said was the most beautiful place he had ever explored.
During 9 days of kayaking, we will have the opportunity to go snorkelling in turquoise waters, camp on deserted beaches, explore forests and villages on foot and socialise with the Tagbanua people, one of the oldest ethnic groups in the Philippines, who Fernão de Magalhães introduced to the western world when he landed here in 1521 to supply his fleet.
Highlights
- 15 days expedition, 9 of which by kayak
- Explore the remote area around Busuanga Island, named by Jacques-Yves Cousteau as “the last frontier”.
- Camp on deserted beaches, white sand and turquoise sea
- Explore remote villages and forests on foot
- Enjoy the region’s many chance encounters with marine life
- Meet the Tagbanua, one of the oldest ethnic groups in the Philippines and learn about their customs and culture
- Explore the historic area of Manila, its markets and its extraordinary cuisine.
EXPEDITION SUMMARY
Destination
Date
Duration
Booking
Minimum age
Flight
Transport
Activities
- Natural and cultural discovery
- 9 days Kayaking
- Snorkelling
- Camping on deserted beaches
Sleeping
- Camping - 8 nights
- Guesthouse - 2 nights
- Hotel - 4 nights
Price
€2,950.00
Includes
- 8 nights camping including tents;
- 4 nights in hotel in Manila;
- 2 nights in guesthouse in Coron;
- Local transport and transfers;
- Internal flight Manila-Busanga-Manila
- 9 days kayaking with 3 daily meals;
- Kayak;
- Support boat;
- Accompaniment by a Portuguese Leader during all the expedition;
- Snorkelling and equipment;
Excludes
- International flights;
- Food not specified; You should expect an average of 15USD-25USD per day for the 3 daily meals;
- Non-specified visits;
- Extra activities;
- Medical and travel insurance (mandatory);
- Personal extras such as drinks, telephone, etc;
- Tips;
- Airport taxes;
- Visas.
After the welcome at the airport, expedition leader José Miguel will accompany you to the hotel where we will be staying. There you will be ablé to rest from the flights and meet with the other participants before the general briefing, where everyone will be informed about the most relevant aspects of the expedition. Rest of the day to rest.
The capital of the Philippines full of excellent examples of colonial architecture and unparalleled cuisine, offers us the possibility of an urban escape in an expedition so intensely filled with nature in a wild state. Here, we will have the opportunity to wander its streets filled with memories of the past, shop in its markets, sample its rich cuisine and get in touch with the more cosmopolitan life of this magnificent country.
We leave Manila and fly to Busuanga. Once we are there and have settled into our hotel, we will have time to review the entire expedition plan and to do some shopping for things that may have been forgotten and are essential for the expedition.
After a transfer by bus to the port, we will board our bangka (traditional Filipino boat that will support us during the expedition) that will take us to Pass Island, in a 60-minute trip where we will take the opportunity to meet the rest of our support team members. Here we will still have time for an initial briefing, to equip ourselves, adapt to the kayaks and finally begin the real expedition.
If the winds permit, we will proceed northeast past islands and islets fringed with palm trees and coral. Our final destination should be Dibitunay, where the crew will have already arrived to set up camp.
Throughout the 9 days of kayaking, there will always be time for snorkeling, exploring small villages and rest stops.
After breakfast, we head out towards Panlaitan where we will enjoy some rest and explore a small fishing village. We continue paddling towards Black Island, one of the three largest limestone islands in the Calamian.
This indigenous controlled island has a magnificent beach with coral and old boat wrecks, as well as a cave and a wonderful lake that we will explore. From here we continue to Ocam-Ocam, a beautiful beach with friendly natives. From this point on, the real adventure begins. We leave behind any traces of civilisation and enter more remote and isolated territories. After lunch, we will paddle to Buluang where we will try to find a beach to spend the night.
An hour after we start paddling, we will arrive in Calauit where an unusual story awaits us, dictated by a delusional dictator’s passion for endangered African wildlife.
After lunch, our journey continues through a long mangrove channel, populated by crabs, kingfishers and monkeys who call this ecosystem “their home”. Arriving on the northeast coast of Busuanga, we will look for a beach to spend the night.
Today we start the day paddling southwards. In Cheey, we will be able to meet the small community where some of our support team members live. After lunch, we will head towards the Midpid Islands and then on to Bubuyuyan Island, where we will spend the night.
After breakfast, we will head towards Malawig via Maricaban Bay on another wonderful day of paddling along the little explored east coast of Busuanga. Upon arrival at the destination, we will look for a beach to spend the night.
An isthmus awaits us after breakfast. The coast of Buenavista, Torda and Borac is very little visited and the people here have almost no contact with the outside.
At the end of the day we will look for a beach to set up camp in Dumaran or Marcilla.
We head towards Dibatok Island and then on to the east coast of Coron Island, stopping along the way at a beach or two before arriving at the tribal village of Cabugao. After a tour of this village and after lunch, we will paddle to a secret lagoon, through sharp rock cliffs, passing small caves that are accentuated at low tide. Once here, we will remain in silence, in a place that is so sacred it has its own language. Mesmerised, silence is easy. At the end of the day, we will set up camp on a beach for the night.
Today, we start paddling early in the morning at sunrise. We bend Calis Cape and arrive at the Calis lagoons on the west coast of Coron which we will explore on foot. Lunch will be at the home of a Tagbanua native, a time we will take advantage of to learn about their culture and make our own known. The Tagbanua are an ethnic group of the Philippines, possible descendants of the Tabon Man, thus making them one of the original peoples of the Philippines.
In the afternoon, we will follow the northwest coast where we will eventually find a beach to set up camp.
After breakfast, we will head towards Coron town, stopping at any beaches we wish to dive into the reefs and slowly begin to adapt again to tourists and civilisation. Upon arrival at the Maquinit Hot Springs, we will still have time for a dip in its warm, salty waters. Then it’s a 75-minute paddle to the town of Coron where this kayaking expedition ends.
We begin our journey home today, starting with the flight that will take us from Busuanga to Manila.
Upon arrival in Manila and after settling into the hotel we will basically have a half day to explore the nooks and crannies of this city in greater detail.
Its historic area, full of old and historic houses, and buildings built within the ancient walls of Intramuros, are more than enough reasons for an extraordinary tour. There is also the Fort Santiago full of history, the Manila Cathedral and the church museum of San Agustin.
On top of all this, Casa Manila and the boutique Silahis Arts, the latter with an incomparable variety of handicrafts for sale, are also excellent options for a thoughtful visit. And finally, crossing the Jones Bridge in Intramuros we enter the oldest Chinatown in the world.
Transfer to Manila International Airport and end of expedition.
Physical effort
Autonomy
Isolation
Cultural immersion
Adventure
Wilderness
Physical Condition: All our expeditions can be undertaken by people with an active and healthy lifestyle. However you must be physically and mentally prepared for 9 consecutive days of kayaking, living and camping in basic conditions and especially hot and humid weather for the whole duration of this expedition. Make sure you prepare yourself for the expedition in order to arrive fit and ready to go. During the expedition you should be fit enough for the following:
Climate: Most of the time hot and humid with average temperatures between 25°C and 35°C.
Daily physical activity: Varies during the expedition, but up to approx. eight hours of activity daily.
Ground: Humid tropical forest which at times can be extremely rainy. Sea calm at this time of the year but can be locally and temporarily rough due to the presence of winds.
Swimming: Obligatory to know how to swim (not necessary to be a swimming athlete) to participate in this expedition.
- No previous canoeing experience is necessary to participate in this expedition. However, in case you have no kayaking experience, we advise you to try and train before this expedition.
There will be mobile phone and internet coverage in the cities and some villages. However, during the days in kayak it will be very difficult to find any signal. On arrival in Manila you can opt to buy a phone card from a local network and this way enjoy cheaper internet data traffic rates.
Yes, however in order to feel more confident at the moment of departure and to avoid setbacks, we strongly advise you to try kayaking before the expedition.
It is not essential to be a professional swimmer. However, knowing how to swim and being completely at ease in the water are mandatory requirements for participation in this trip.
Yes, there are animal species that if they feel threatened can attack man. However, in order to guarantee the safety of all participants, as well as that of the respective animals, all nature exploration activities, on land or at sea, that we carry out on our expeditions follow strict safety protocols.
You can, but we will have to hire a private service for your transfer between Manila International Airport and your hotel in Manila at an extra cost of approx. 50€.
In the Philippines you will always find viable alternatives for a diverse vegetarian diet. For your nutrition during the 9 days of kayaking we ask you to send us your dietary restrictions so that we can adjust to your needs.
No. This expedition is only designed for people aged 18 years old and over.
Yes, as long as it is properly protected from humidity and a few moments of torrential rain.
Book your place
€2,950.00
Open Bookings