Best Snorkeling Tours and Spots in Palawan

Palawan is where I first felt like I was swimming inside a living aquarium. One moment I was drifting over a garden of corals; the next, a turtle glided past as if it owned the place (it does). Whether you are flying into El Nido for island hopping, jumping between Coron’s reefs and wrecks, or warming up with the friendly shallows of Honda Bay, this guide shares my favorite snorkeling spots, how to pick the right tour, the best time to visit, and practical tips I learned the fun way.

Why Palawan Is a Snorkeling Paradise

Palawan sits within the Coral Triangle, the planet’s richest marine biodiversity zone. That means high coral diversity, healthy fish populations, and frequent encounters with turtles. The province packs a lot into its long island chain: lagoons framed by karst cliffs in El Nido, shallow reef gardens and WWII shipwrecks in Coron, and sandbar-hopping in Honda Bay. Offshore sits the protected Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its exceptional coral walls and pelagic life (more suited to liveaboard diving, but worth knowing about) (UNESCO).

What I love about Palawan is how accessible great snorkeling is. Even first-timers can hop on a day boat and be over a colorful reef within minutes. If you are choosing one base, El Nido is great for island hopping and easy snorkel drifts; Coron levels up the adventure with shallow wrecks; Puerto Princesa’s Honda Bay is calm and family-friendly.

Best Snorkeling in El Nido: Reefs, Coves, and Easy Drifts

El Nido is famous for dramatic limestone cliffs and glassy lagoons, but what convinced me to stay longer were the reefs just offshore. Water entry is usually from the boat, and the guides know the current and the best coral patches. Here are my standouts:

My favorite El Nido snorkel spots

Shimizu Island (Tour A): A classic for a reason. Expect colorful hard corals, reef fish swirling around bommies, and occasional turtles. The current is usually light but follow your guide’s advice.
Pinagbuyutan Island (Tour B/C variants): A photogenic islet with a sloping reef that transitions from sandy patches to coral heads teeming with anthias and parrotfish.
South Miniloc / Around Miniloc Island: Clear water and lively reef points. I like to drift along the edge and let the fish traffic surprise me.
Entalula Island: Gorgeous beach with a vibrant fringing reef. Great for beginners because you can float above coral gardens in shallow depths.
Helicopter Island: Often included in longer combos, its leeward side can be calm with decent coral and lots of grazing fish.

Which El Nido tour to book

Tour A hits the signature lagoons and adds a reliable snorkel stop (often Shimizu). Tour C typically gets more coral time (Matinloc/Helicopter areas) and is my pick if snorkeling is your priority. Ask your operator for the day’s wind direction to favor calmer sides of the islands. For a deeper primer on routes and fees, check our El Nido Island Hopping Guide.

Coron Snorkeling: Reefs, Wrecks, and Clearwater Lagoons

Coron is where the snorkeling gets extra memorable. Imagine finning over a shallow WWII wreck with corals waving from the hull. Add reef gardens, emerald lakes, and some of the clearest water I’ve seen in the Philippines.

Top Coron snorkel sites I keep going back to

Siete Pecados Marine Park: A cluster of islets near town with protected reefs. Lots of fish, great visibility, and easy currents on calm days.
Coral Garden: The name says it all. Wide swaths of hard and soft corals with schools of fusiliers and the occasional turtle cruising by.
Lusong Gunboat (shallow wreck): You can see the outline of the wreck from the surface. Corals colonize the structure, and you can snorkel the perimeter safely with a guide.
Pass Island: Classic white-sand cove backed by a friendly reef—perfect for long, lazy snorkel sessions.

Lagoon and lake add-ons

Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon are gorgeous for swimming (not reefy) and often bundled with snorkel stops in day tours. Check your operator’s route and ask for both a reef site and a wreck if you have a full day.

Safety tip for wrecks

Stay with your guide, watch your buoyancy, and do not touch or enter wreck structures. The best views are from above, and the fish often gather right along the edges anyway.

Puerto Princesa and Honda Bay: Calm and Family-Friendly

Honda Bay is my go-to recommendation for first-time snorkelers or families with kids. The waters are generally calmer, boat rides are short, and the reefs are shallow and easy to enjoy.

Honda Bay highlights

Starfish Island: Sandy shallows dotted with seagrass—great for spotting sea stars (look, do not touch) and beginner-friendly fish-watching.
Luli Island: Sandbar that appears/disappears with the tide. Swim on the leeward side for calmer conditions.
Isla Pandan / Cowrie Island: Often used for lunch stops with nearby reef patches for quick snorkels.

In Puerto Princesa city, consider pairing your day with a firefly-watching river tour after sunset or the Underground River excursion on a separate day if you have time.

Tubbataha Reefs: Bucket-List Walls (Know Before You Go)

If you love reefs, you will eventually hear whispers about Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, a UNESCO-listed protected area in the Sulu Sea. Access is via liveaboard from Puerto Princesa during a short, calm season (roughly March to June). It is primarily a diving destination with towering walls, schooling fish, and pelagics. Some operators allow limited, supervised snorkeling in calmer zones, but conditions can be deep and blue-water exposed. If you are tempted, thoroughly vet operators for safety and conservation standards and set your expectations accordingly (UNESCO).

For most snorkelers, the best value remains day-trip reef sites in El Nido, Coron, and Honda Bay—fantastic visibility, tons of fish life, and easy logistics.

How to Choose a Palawan Snorkeling Tour

After dozens of island-hopping days, here is my checklist for picking the right boat and crew:

Boat and group size

Smaller groups (8–12) get more guide attention and less fin traffic on the reef.
Banca vs. speedboat: Traditional bancas are comfy and photogenic; speedboats shave travel time in El Nido/Coron but can be pricier.

Gear and safety

Ask for dry-top snorkels and defogged masks that fit. If you wear glasses, request a mask with corrective lenses if available.
Check for life vests, a first-aid kit, and guide-to-guest ratio. I like when a guide stays in the water with a lifebuoy for the group.

Route and timing

On windy days, pick itineraries on the leeward side of islands for calmer snorkeling.
If you want to photograph coral gardens, ask for longer stops at reef sites instead of extra beaches.

Budget ballpark

Shared day tours in El Nido or Coron often range from roughly PHP 1,400–2,500 per person including lunch and basic gear; private boats vary widely depending on distance, boat size, and inclusions. Confirm environmental fees and whether premium snorkel gear or fins cost extra.

Best Time to Visit Palawan for Snorkeling

Palawan is snorkelable year-round, but conditions vary with the seasons. In general:

December to May (Amihan, Northeast Monsoon): Typically calmer seas and clearer skies—great for island hopping. Expect peak crowds around December–April.
June to October (Habagat, Southwest Monsoon): Some days bring stronger winds and swells, especially on windward coasts. You can still find sheltered spots, but expect more variability.
Tubbataha liveaboards: Usually run March to June, when the Sulu Sea is calmest.

Always check local weather right before your trip. For monsoon guidance, see PAGASA.

What to Pack, Safety Tips, and Reef Etiquette

Gear I actually use

Mask and snorkel you trust: A well-fitting mask beats any rental. If you rent, test the seal on your face before leaving the pier.
Fins: Short travel fins are fine for boats; full foot fins are comfy for longer sessions.
Rash guard or thin wetsuit: Sun protection and jellyfish stinger defense.
Reef-safe sunscreen: Apply at least 20 minutes before entering the water to minimize wash-off.
Dry bag: Keep your phone and wallet safe during swim entries.

Safety and comfort

Do a quick float test with your mask before the boat leaves the first site.
Follow your guide and snorkel as a buddy pair. If you tire easily, ask to use the group lifebuoy.
Hydrate and snack between swims—salt and sun sneak up on you.

Reef etiquette

Never stand on or touch corals; even a light kick can damage them.
Keep a horizontal position and control your finning to avoid accidental contact.
Do not chase turtles; give marine life space and let encounters unfold naturally.

Simple 3-day snorkel-first itinerary

Day 1: El Nido Tour C (or B variant) for coral-rich stops (Miniloc area, Helicopter Island) and a sunset drink in town.
Day 2: El Nido Tour A for lagoons plus Shimizu snorkel, or transfer to Coron on a fast boat if you are splitting time.
Day 3: Coron Reefs + Wreck starting with Siete Pecados, then Coral Garden, and a shallow wreck like Lusong. Celebrate with grilled seafood along the bay.

Have a few more days? Add Honda Bay for easy, calm snorkeling or swap a day for inland explorations. However you slice it, Palawan’s reefs deliver.