Port Barton

Port Barton is a small town in Palawan, Philippines. In recent years it has become somewhat of a backpackers hangout but so far it remains pretty quiet and relaxed. However, many places offering accommodation are upgrading their services and therefore transferring the place into a more upmarket resort-style destination. Still there are many cheaper huts right on the beach.

The village is so small that walking is the only feasible option. Going to the nearby islands you can hire a boat or in the high-season, join organized trips.

Nearby are numerous islands with spectacular beaches, rainforest and good snorkeling. Local boatmen will take you out "island hopping" for a day for P1200, although be sure to negotiate just how many islands constitute "hopping" before you pay up. Although dynamite-fishing has been a problem in the past, nowadays it is no longer practiced and the locals can find you unspoiled spots.

There is a small dive school called 'easy dive' at the southern end of the beach run by Doris Hufnagel and assisted by the recently employed local diver named Benny. She runs PADI courses and fun dives. There's extremely limited visibility in the bay so any trip involves a boat trip and, to be honest, this probably means that if you're looking to do a PADI course there are better places. For fun diving, however, Port Barton is superb, with great coral and marine life, not to mention WW2 wrecks, within easy striking distance.

There is also limited trekking in the rainforests around Port Barton. At the northern end of the beach there is a small path leading to a waterfall (about 3.5k each way) where you can swim in the cool water. There are also plenty of leeches in any standing water around there, so perhaps not for the feint hearted. Besides that, the trail is totally overgrown and you will probably need local assistance on the way to be able to find the waterfall. But hey; this means that once you've actually found it the reward is even bigger.