Port Barton

Port Barton is a fishing village on a wide bay in the municipality of San Vicente, roughly halfway up Palawan's west coast, and its main quality is what it does not have: no strip of large resorts, no nightlife district, no cruise traffic. Boats run island-hopping trips to small reefs and sandy islets in the bay, with turtle and reef snorkelling stops, and there are waterfalls a walk inland at Pamuayan. The village beach itself is functional rather than beautiful, with boats pulled up along it, and the better swimming is on the islands or at the coves along the coast. Electricity has historically run on limited hours, which shapes the pace of the place.

The landscape

• The island-hopping circuit - small islets and reefs in the bay, with turtle and coral snorkelling stops.
• Pamuayan Falls - a modest waterfall reached on foot or by motorbike from the village.
• The bay at sunset - the west-facing bay with the fishing boats moored off the beach.
• The nearby coves - quieter beaches along the coast, reached by boat or a rough track.

When to go

November to May is dry and calm, with the best snorkelling visibility from January to April. During the southwest monsoon from June to September the bay is choppy, trips are cancelled and the road in gets worse. Arrive with cash: the village has historically had no reliable ATM and many places do not take cards.

What to expect

The road from Puerto Princesa is the price of admission and part of it is rough enough to be uncomfortable in a van. Power cuts are routine and hot water is not standard. The village beach has boat traffic and is not the swimming you came for. Sandflies bite at dusk. The place is also changing fast, with more building each year.

Nearby

San Vicente's Long Beach lies north, and El Nido is a further three to four hours.

Key facts