Port Barton's Best Attractions
Explore Port Barton’s top attractions—from island hopping and waterfalls to serene beaches and snorkeling spots. Discover Palawan’s hidden paradise.
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Discover San Vicente
San Vicente is a charming coastal town on the northwestern side of Palawan, home to the longest white sand beach in the Philippines—Long Beach, stretching 14.7 kilometers, nearly three times the length of Boracay’s White Beach.
Known for its peaceful, off-the-beaten-path vibe, San Vicente offers pristine shores, crystal-clear waters, and stunning natural scenery.
TRANSPORT & MOBILITY
How to Get There
By Air
The most convenient way to reach San Vicente is by air. Cebu Pacific offers direct flights from Cebu to San Vicente Airport (SWL), though flights are not available daily.
San Vicente Airport is only about a 20-minute drive from the town center, and just 10 minutes away from Long Beach.
Alternatively, you can fly into El Nido Airport (ENI) or Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS). From Puerto Princesa, it takes around 4 hours by land to reach San Vicente.
Vans and private transfers are available for this route.
By Sea
There's no direct ferry service to San Vicente — the only sea option is a private taxi boat to/from Port Barton. All other boat travel is limited to nearby islands, with no ferry connections to destinations outside Palawan.
Getting Around
Tricycles are the most common form of local transportation. They’re ideal for short rides around town and to nearby beaches.
Motorbike and scooter rentals are perfect if you want the freedom to explore at your own pace. You can easily rent a motorbike in San Vicente through local shops.
Boat travel around the islands of Port Barton is also easy. You can hire a private boat or join one of the island hopping tours.
Top Attractions in San Vicente
Port Barton
Port Barton is a peaceful coastal village in San Vicente, known for its quiet beaches, island hopping, snorkeling spots, and laid-back charm, perfect for travelers seeking a relaxing escape.
Long Beach
Long Beach is an incredibly crowd-free and long beach. It is one of the hidden gems of Palawan and one of the best beaches in the Philippines.
Boayan Island
Boayan Island is the largest island in San Vicente. It has secluded white sand beaches, lush forests, and a spectacular underwater world.
Best Time to Visit San Vicente
San Vicente is a peaceful, off-the-beaten-path beach destination in Palawan, known for its long white-sand beaches. It enjoys a warm tropical climate year-round, with average temperatures between 25-32°C (77-90°F), so while it can be visited any time, knowing the seasons helps you make the most of your trip.
Dry Season (Dec - May)
January to May, peaking between March and April, offers the best weather.
San Vicente remains refreshingly uncrowded even during peak season, though limited hotels mean booking ahead is wise, especially around Christmas and New Year.
Wet Season (June - Nov)
June to November brings heavier rain, with August the wettest month, which can limit outdoor activities.
The season kicks off with the Malagnang Festival each June — the town's biggest event, featuring colorful parades, street dancing, and cultural performances celebrating the fertile soil that sustained early settlers.
Top Activities
One of the top things to do in San Vicente is island hopping, especially from the peaceful village of Port Barton. Travelers can rent a private boat tour to explore the stunning nearby islands, known for their white sand beaches and clear waters. Must-visit spots include Boayan Island, Exotic Island, Starfish Island, and Paradise Island—each offering great opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.
👉 Click here to book your Port Barton Island Hopping Tour online
If you’d like to explore San Vicente beyond our standard tour packages, we also offer tailor-made tours. Just let us know your travel style, interests, and schedule, and we’ll create a customized San Vicente itinerary just for you.
4-Day San Vicente Itinerary
4 days is a great way to experience San Vicente at a relaxed pace, from its record-breaking beach to the islands offshore and the option to explore inland or try surfing.
Day 1: Arrival in San Vicente - Long Beach
Arrive in San Vicente and settle into your accommodation along Long Beach, the longest white-sand beach in the Philippines at 14.7 km. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the sand, taking a swim, and enjoying the sunset over the sea.
Day 2: Island-Hopping
Spend the day on the water, visiting islands like Paradise Island, Daplac Cove and Exotic Island. Expect white sand, clear water and good snorkeling, with the chance to spot sea turtles along the way.
Day 3: Land Tour or Surfing
Choose your pace for the last day. For a land tour, visit Bato ni Ningning, two large rocks with panoramic views over Long Beach, Mount Capuas and Imuruan Island, then continue to Bigaho Falls for a swim in its cool natural pool after a short hike. You can also paddle through the mangroves on a river kayak tour along the Inandeng River.
Depending on the season, this is also a good time to try surfing at Long Beach.
Day 4: Departure from San Vicente
On your last day, you can take some time to relax and do some last-minute souvenir shopping. If you have time, you can visit the San Vicente Mangrove Forest, which is a unique ecosystem that is home to various species of wildlife. After that, you can depart from San Vicente and head to your next destination.
San Vicente Tour Packages
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Where to Stay
If you’re planning to visit San Vicente and want to stay overnight, you’ll find that the main options are to travel by land to either Port Barton or the Long Beach area. Both destinations offer a remote, laid-back, and peaceful atmosphere that’s perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Accommodations in both areas are mostly rustic and cater to international travelers and backpackers, with options ranging from budget-friendly hostels to upscale resorts. However, it’s worth noting that electricity and internet connectivity in many spots are still not that reliable, so be prepared for occasional outages.
If you’re looking for a more authentic and off-the-beaten-path experience, you may want to consider staying in a homestay or guesthouse run by locals. This will give you a chance to interact with the friendly locals and learn more about their culture and way of life.
Club Agutaya - 3 ★
Club Agutaya is currently the best accommodations in San Vicente, situated right on Long Beach, and offering comfortable mid-range rooms. Other options for accommodation include simple guesthouses and pensions.
The Hotel Elizabeth Resort & Villas- 3 ★
Set on a private stretch of Long Beach in Brgy. San Isidro, about 20 minutes from San Vicente Airport, The Hotel Elizabeth Resort and Villas offers 113 air-conditioned rooms and villas, some with sea views. Guests can enjoy two outdoor pools, a spa, two restaurants, a bar and free WiFi, along with free breakfast and an airport shuttle.
Restaurant & Dining
San Vicente offers a mix of relaxed, beachfront dining options. Resorts along Long Beach and in town serve fresh seafood, grilled meats, and international food.
Club Agutaya blends local Filipino and Western dishes right by the coast.
For something more budget-friendly, open-air stalls near the market, pier, and tourism office offer local favorites like grilled pork belly, fresh fish, skewers, and tropical fruit shakes.
Souvenirs & Pasalubong
Don’t leave without a pasalubong, the Filipino tradition of bringing gifts home for family and friends. San Vicente’s markets and sari-sari stores are the best places to find local specialties, and it’s worth keeping some cash with you, as smaller stalls may not accept cards.
Palawan Honey
Raw, locally harvested wild honey is a favorite edible gift to bring home.
Cashew Nuts
A Palawan specialty, found roasted, salted, garlic-flavored, or brittle-coated at markets and sari-sari stores.
Handmade Crafts & Woven Goods
Woven bags, mats, accessories, and wooden carvings crafted by local artisans.
Dried Seafood
Fresh daing and pusit are widely available near coastal fishing communities and public markets.
San Vicente Useful Information
Payment Options:
Cash in Philippine pesos is essential in San Vicente — foreign currency isn't accepted directly, though it can be exchanged at money changers in bigger hubs like Puerto Princesa. Larger resorts may accept credit cards, but smaller shops and eateries are typically cash-only, and processing fees may apply where cards are accepted. ATMs are limited, so it's best to withdraw cash before arriving.
Accessing Internet:
Wi-Fi is available at most resorts and hotels, though speeds can be slow or unstable given San Vicente's remote location. A local SIM card with mobile data is a good backup for staying connected around town.
Swimming & Safety Tips:
San Vicente is generally very safe for tourists. Long Beach offers mostly calm, shallow swimming with a gradual seabed, though conditions can vary by section, so it's wise to check locally before entering the water — some stretches see stronger surf and undertow.
Occasional jellyfish blooms can occur seasonally, so ask locally about current conditions and wear a rash guard if concerned.
Diving:
Port Barton and San Vicente both offer relaxed, uncrowded diving away from the busier sites of El Nido and Coron — ideal for those seeking healthy reefs without the crowds.
Port Barton's outer reef sites, like Middle Rock, Shark Point, Royalist (Ten Fathom), and Albaguen Sanctuary, feature vibrant coral gardens, abundant reef fish, and frequent turtle sightings, with options suited to both beginners and experienced divers.
San Vicente, just north along the coast, offers a similarly peaceful diving scene with clear waters and healthy corals, perfect for those looking to dive off the beaten path.
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Port Barton
Discover Port Barton, Palawan’s serene coastal village. Enjoy island hopping, pristine beaches, and a laid-back vibe in this off-the-beaten-path paradise.
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