Starfish island is part of Port Bartonās Boat Tour, a highlight of our stay in the local village. Having only experienced small English starfish before, the size and perfectionism of these creatures amazed us. They look surreal and the island they rest by is so tiny, a small crest of sand peaks out above the ocean which you can walk across while taking a break from snorkelling.Ā
Port Bartonās Boat Tour has four separate stops and controversially we prefer it to the world famous El Nido Tour. Starfish island was the last stop we made and it did not disappoint. We got to see multiple large Chocolate Chip Starfish resting on the shallow banks of the island.
Important: Do not lift the starfish out of the water as this will damage them. Our guide told us we could flip them over as long as they stayed fully submerged. We decided not to touch them at all, leaving them be as this felt the right thing to do.
Where Is Starfish Island Port Barton?
Starfish Island can be found in Port Barton, Palawan. A small, local village with up and coming tourism, Starfish Island can only be reached during the Boat Tour. The island is located around 10 minutes off-shore from the town.Ā
How To Get To Starfish Island?
Book onto Port Bartonās Boat Tour. We recommend booking with GetYourGuide or heading down to the beach to book with a local, the island was the last stop on our full day tour. You might also be able to visit just the sandbar rather than doing the tour by asking a local on the beach for a taxi boat.
To get to Port Barton Book A Shuttle Bus From El Nido or Puerto Princesa
We recommend using 12Go to book Ferries & Busses, also Rome2Rio for all of your travel planning needs in Asia.
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Starfish Island Description
Your boat will pull up to a summit of sand where you can enter the shallow water and admire the beauty of this tiny isolated island. Submerge your head and youāll be greeted with spotted starfish that look like they’re straight out of a cartoon.
As mentioned before, please donāt lift the starfish out of the water.
About The Chocolate Chip Starfish
The Protoreaster nodosus also known as the chocolate chip starfish is popular in Indo-Pacific waters. Their population remains steady even though these crates are popular in the aquarium trade.
They like to make their home in the shallow areas but can also be found in deeper reefs. These starfish can reach up to 4m in length!
Itineraries, where to stay, top things to do & more for every island we visited in the Philippines
Starfish Island Common Questions
How Much Is The Port Barton Boat Tour?Ā
The Port Boat tour cost us ā½1500 or you can book online… Book here
How Long Do You Spend At Starfish Island?
We had around 20 minutes to snorkel, admire the starfish and clamber over the smallest island Iāve ever seen.
Other Stops On The Port Barton Boat TourĀ
Twin Reef
A collection of high quality coral, we were amazed by the size and intricacies of the flora we were exploring. The first stop on our tour and some of the best coral we saw in the Philippines!Ā
Discover more aboutĀ Twin Reef, Port Barton
Paradise Island
We stopped here for an unforgettable lunch, a spread of grilled seafood, noodles, rice and fruit allowed us to feast on the island’s banks. You can also hike to the peak of the island, it takes around 5 minutes and gives you insane views over the neighbouring island.
Discover more aboutĀ Paradise Island, Port Barton
Turtle Snorkelling Spot
The second snorkelling spot on the tour is where you can often spot turtles. We saw one turtle here and only stayed for around 15 minutes. This stop was a little more crowded than the others.
Top Places 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
Best Things To Do In Port Barton
Perhaps less known than El Nido, Port Barton was one of our favourite towns in the whole of the Philippines. You get a local feel but the area is still set up for tourism, with bars, western and local restaurants and an amazing boat trip. Here we share our top things to do in Port Barton.
Top Pick:Ā Port Barton Boat TourĀ
This is a must in Port Barton! You get to visit two snorkelling spots including Twin Reef which has some of the best coral weāve seen, Paradise Island where you get a local feast for lunch, snorkel with turtles and look for Chocolate Chip Starfish On A Tiny Sand Bar.
Best Beach:Ā White Beach
If youāre looking for a large strip of powdery sand, coconut trees and a refreshing place to swim you can get a boat taxi from Port Barton Bay (Itaytay Beach) to White Beach.
Off The Beaten Track: Pamuayan Falls
Jump on a scooter or hire a taxi and head to Pamuayan Falls where you can get back to nature and enjoy a swim in the falls natural pool.
Best Place To Eat:Ā Joanās Cuisine & Fat Cat
Joanās Cuisine serves a mixture of budget friendly local dishes as well as a mouth-watering paella which is a must try. If youāre looking for western food head to Fat Cat for amazing pizza!
Wondering where to head to next? We’ve create a complete Palawan Guide & itinerary to help you plan
Best Port Barton Tours
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 anĀ E-sim like AiraloĀ to stay connected and remove the hassle of a physical SIM, donāt rely on Wi-Fi as the island has frequent blackouts.Ā
- Eat Local, there are loads of local restaurantsĀ that sell freshly cooked fish
- Chill out and relax at Port Barton Beach!Ā 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.Ā
- The Boat TourĀ was our favourite in all the Philippines.
Final Thoughts on Starfish Island Port Barton
It was the first time we had experienced these beautiful creatures making this stop one of the most memorable on the Tour. Snorkelling around the island makes you feel like youāve landed in paradise due to the calm, shallow waters and idyllic starfish. This picture perfect sandbar is a must do if youāre in Palawan!
Here’s A Full Guide OnĀ The Port Barton Island Hopping Tour
