Adventurous journey by boat from El Nido to Coron

The journey itself is sometimes a better experience than the destination, I was once again a confirmation when I went by boat from El Nido, Palawan on the main island, to the northernmost major island Busuanga.

We were closer to 50 or so tourists, most of the younger ages, which after an hour or two in the hot waiting room squeezed into us to the last seat in a “bangka” which for most was probably smaller and more tarnished than expected.

“This will be a hell of a sea voyage”, sighed a Frenchman who was squeezed in beside me and looked like some other law faded out as we swung out into the fresh onshore winds with waves that became more and more high when we came out into open water.

After a while when those who wish, the maximum ten, were invited to climb onto the cabin roof. I took the chance with a few others who did not regret that choice. Up there I went to sit down on my back, with a life jacket as a pillow and just enjoy the voyage.

After a few hours of bumping slow process of the refractory boat along an unprotected coastline we drifted in through a narrow channel and entered the calmer waters in the shelter of some islands with gorgeous beaches and green hills.

The sun beat down hard, where we sat, but Jeff, a Belgian who was sitting beside me, said it was much nicer than sitting down there, then he looked at his wife who was hard seasick. One of the crew guys borrowed a guitar and entertained us with philippine romantic hits and then in the middle of the day we got our luncbox (simular the ones on flights) with chicken and rice surface.

People sleept, talked, or read during the rest of the 8 hour trip. Just prior sunset we come to Coron Bay south of the island Busangas capital and major port. Now it was 20 or so on the roof but all were asked to climb down because it was not allowed at all for passengers up there.

Many were relieved to be able to click off at the dilapidated pier in Coron. A few days later I saw the boat from El Nido came in late in the dark, at least 2-3 hours late.

Afterwards I was told that several boats on this particular route, El Nido, Coron, has serious problems and some tours have taken much longer than expected when unfavorable winds. At one point, 24 hours, without food or water reserves. The boat we came up with was speaking of security, although life jackets for everyone and a port captain checked that we were not overloaded before departure. But the only lifeboat I saw ran only a few passengers.

My advice to those who are predisposed to be seaseek and want to experience the beautiful sea, if possible, avoid days with bad weather. Weather reports and warnings available through this site weather page. But they are not reliable because wind conditions can change rapidly in these tropical waters.

The alternative is to fly between Puerto Princesa and Busuanga, which may even be cheaper than the boat tickets of 2200 pesos.