If you’re wondering what to do in Port Barton? Look no further! Port Barton is full of fun activities that make the most of the stunning landscape and island life. We spent 5 days in Port Barton but could have spent more due to the laid back vibe and stunning things to do.
Starting to gain more popularity, Port Barton used to be an off the beaten track destination, even though more tourists are making the journey here, it’s still considerably less busy than El Nido and Coron.
Port Barton has a more authentic, local feel than other destinations on Palawan and we recommend you add the tiny town to your itinerary. Below we share the best things to do in Port Barton!
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How To Get To Port Barton?
Van From El Nido
3 Hours
From $15 pp
Van From Puerto Princesa
3 Hours
From $9 pp
Port Barton Island Hopping Tour – Includes The Best Things To Do In Port Barton
If you’re wondering what to do in Port Barton, the best thing to do is the full day Boat Tour. You’ll get to visit paradise island, starfish island, two snorkelling spots and a baby turtle sanctuary. We really enjoyed the day island hopping around the tiny picture perfect islands, and bonus the lunch buffet was incredible! You can book your tour when you arrive but to make sure you secure your place you can book your tour here. We found the Port Barton Island Hopping rates don’t vary too much and they seem to have a set price of per person ₽1500 per person which is around £17, $22 or €20. This was our favourite Port Barton activity! Location 📌
Port Barton is surrounded by some of the richest marine life we saw in all of The Philippines. Book Your Port Barton Boat Trip Here!
Here’s A Full Guide On The Port Barton Boat Tour
Port Barton Beach (Itaytay Beach)
The main beach in Port Barton is locally called Itaytay beach and it is a perfect spot to watch the world famous sunsets. Along the front of the beach there are lots of Port Barton activities, you can find many beach bars that serve a variety of local and western food, and if you need to catch up on work head to Barton Bistro for speedy Starlink WiFi. Location 📌
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Coconut and White Beach
Visiting coconut beach and white beach are two of the most popular activities in Port Barton. Most people will get a boat from Itaytay over to one of the white sandy beaches, however it is possible to make your own way there with a scooter. These beaches are more pristine than Itaytay and worth the effort to get there. Location 📌
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Naonao Beach
Located outside of Port Barton we didn’t make it to Naonoa beach but we heard if you have a scooter it’s a lovely beach to drive up to. Location 📌
Discover all of our top spots and hidden gems in our Philippines Travel eGuide
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Relax In Beach Front Bars: Favourite Thing To Do In Port Barton
Port Barton is a great place to relax, head to Happy Bar for some live music or Barton Bistro for a pizza and enjoy the laid back island life. There are plenty of beachfront bars in Port Barton where you can spend the afternoon or evening enjoying a cocktail or red horse. To be honest this was one of our favourite Port Barton things to do as the sunsets we saw from the bars were unmatched! Location 📌
Starfish Island
A tiny sand bar out to sea where you can see an abundance of chocolate chip starfish. The best way to get to this island is to join the Port Barton Boat Tour. Location 📌
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Paradise Island: Best Beach To Visit
Paradise island was the lunch spot on our boat tour and our favourite spot, you can hike to the peak of the island to get panoramic views over two islands as well as exploring a hidden beach. We also watched locals climb the bendy palm trees to retrieve refreshing coconuts and bathed in the shallow waters. Location 📌
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Snorkel At Twin Reef: Best Port Barton Activity
Twin Reef Is A Snorkeler’s Haven, especially if you love looking at different types of coral. One of the stops on the Port Barton Boat Tour, we were impressed by the aquatic fauna, the corals were huge and intricate. Location 📌
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Pamuayan Falls
Hop on a scooter and drive 20 mins to Pamuayan Falls where you can hike, swim and relax in the falls pools. The walk to the waterfall takes 15 minutes through the natural setting.
If you’re up for more walking you can walk the whole way to the falls from Port Barton town which takes an hour each way. Location 📌
Bigaho Falls
Further away than Pamuayan falls but still accessible from Port Barton is Bigaho Falls. The easiest way to visit the falls is with an organised tour (Tour C) or renting your own scooter. Location 📌
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Swim With Turtles And Visit A Baby Turtle Sanctuary
During the boat tour you also get the chance to swim with turtles in a shallow area between two islands. This was quite busy and probably not the best place to see turtles in The Philippines. We’d recommend Moalboal and the Sardine Run to find turtles, however afterwards we were taken to a baby turtle sanctuary so we could see some rescued baby turtles. Location 📌
Port Barton Diving
You can organise diving tours when you arrive in Port Barton, or check out Dive Port Barton Here. We haven’t yet got our qualification… we’re planning to get it soon. If you have any tips let us know! Location 📌
For The More Adventurous – Camp On The Beach
If you want to disconnect and reconnect with the outside world you can camp on a beach near Port Barton. We are definitely doing this when we return and can’t believe we missed the opportunity (we didn’t know they offered this). It just sounds so dreamy and the perfect way to spend your time in Port Barton. Location 📌
For The Partygoer Head To Cocorico
If you’re into partying or want a night out, Cocorico which is the main hostel on Port Barton is the place to head. Between 7 and 7:30 there are free drinks but of course even outside of happy hour it isn’t too expensive. We can also recommend Happy Bar for a more relaxed vibe, they often had a live singer done by the sea front which accompanied the sunsets perfectly. Location 📌
When To Visit Port Barton
Best Places To Eat In Port Barton
- Joan’s Cuisine – A great local restaurant that serves an amazing paella
- Fat Cat – A perfect place to head for your pizza fix!
Where To Stay In Port Barton?
Port Barton is a small, local fishing village with most of the accommodation concentrated in the centre of town. Wherever you stay bars, restaurants and the beach will be within walking distance, so you need to decide if you want to pay more for a beach side property or something more budget set further back.
Best Places To Stay In Port Barton
$ Budget
CocoRico Hostel
A beach side hostel perfect for solo travellers and couples on a budget who don’t mind shared dorms. CocoRico has a prime location and an onsite restaurant.
$$ Mid-Range
Tribal Xperience
Set further back but still only a five minute walk to the beach is Tribal Xperience which offers private rooms on a budget alongside a pool and breakfast.
$$$ High-End
Besaga Beachfront B&B
A perfect option for families and couples due to it’s location just outside Port Barton. With it’s own private beach front this is a lovely place to stay
Spacing
Tips For Travelling To Port Barton
Below we share our favourite tips for travelling Port Barton:
- Plan your transport: getting to Port Barton is best done by shared van from El Nido or from Puerto Princesa.
- Use an E-sim like Airalo to stay connected and remove the hassle of a physical SIM, don’t rely on Wi-Fi as the island has frequent blackouts.
- Eat Local, there are loads of local restaurants that sell freshly cooked fish
- Chill out and relax at Port Barton Beach! The town is so laid back with only a handful of activities which is why we loved it. Here are some of the best things to do in Port Barton.
- Rent a scooter and explore. If you do want to discover the area we recommend a rental scooter or hiring a trike driver for the day.
- The Boat Tour was our favourite in all the Philippines – a must-do when planning your Port Barton trip.
