The Philippines Paradise

An epic day of island hopping lies ahead today. Step aboard your private boat and prepare to go off the beaten track (or ocean) to explore the beautiful islands of Bacuit Archipelago and beyond. Your captain knows the best and quietest islands for you Flashpackers to enjoy all to yourselves, complete with idyllic beaches, coral reefs and crystal clear waters. Feel the spray of the ocean as you cruise from island to island, nothing else matters except which beach looks the most inviting. This evening you’ll wash up on a secret island where you’ll be camping for the next 2 nights in unique mesh tents – perfect for star gazing. Here there will be a chef waiting to sizzle up a beach barbecue for your arrival. This simple way of life is perfect for getting back to nature, simply channel your inner Robinson Crusoe and embrace the adventure.

Wake up to the peaceful sound of the ocean lapping on the shore. Today the island hopping continues aboard your private boat, all stocked with snorkelling gear and a picnic lunch to tuck into on any island of your choice. In this paradise playground you can dive into the underwater world, swim to the shore for fresh coconuts or just relax with a book on deck. All this fresh air is thirsty work, so enjoy cold beers as a refreshing refuel. Dock up once more on your secret beach this evening for another delicious barbecue as the sun fades to moonlight. Sometimes all you need is to be marooned on a desert island with no creature comforts (expect a personal chef, of course).

Enjoy breakfast in the palm-shaded shores of your beach camp, that hammock’s got your name on it. Then catch the boat back to El Nido where you’ll be transferred to your previous hotel to check in. You’ve embraced the shipwrecked lifestyle but now it’s time to return to the land of hot showers and air conditioning. This afternoon is yours to do as you please in El Nido, there’s some great beachside bars to check out with sunset views and live reggae.

After breakfast in your hotel, enjoy a day of leisure in sunny El Nido. We suggest more snorkelling, polishing up your beach volleyball skills and/or sprawling out on the beach with a good book, you’ve earned this.

Check out of your El Nido hotel because today we’re catching a flight to Cebu, the happenin’ hub of the south. Here we’ll catch a 2 hour ferry to Bohol, another awesome island to explore. Be sure to pack well for all this island hopping, we’re talking good books, games and tunes! Your hotel can then be found by Alona Beach on Panglao Island, where it’s lively beach bars are perfect for evening drinks with your fellow Flashpackers.

Fuel up at breakfast this morning because today we’re going on an off-road adventure.  You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to Carmen, where you’ll hop on quad bikes and rev your way through the awesome Chocolate Hills. They’re not made of actual chocolate (unfortunately) but legend has it these 1000+ rolling brown hills are the teardrops of a heartbroken giant. We’ll then drive to the top of a great vantage point for an amazing panoramic view over the hills. Afterwards, it’s time for another of Bohol’s main attractions, this time on a smaller scale and a lot cuter! We’re heading to the Tarsier Sanctuary to see these tiny monkeys with their distinctive huge eyes. If time is on our side, we’ll then pay a quick visit to the centuries old Baclayon Church made from coral stone cut from the sea. This beautiful church was damaged by the 2013 earthquake yet still remains standing despite being of the oldest in the region. We’ll then take you back to your hotel where you can hit up the beach bars for more palm-shaded sundowners.

Today another day of exploring off the beaten path awaits you. We’re whisking you to Loboc River where you’ll stand-up paddle board across its shimmering surface. Your unspoilt surroundings of lush greens and abundant wildlife will have you feeling like you’ve stepped into Jurassic Park (minus the dinosaurs). Once you’ve floated along to your heart’s content, we’ll head back to Panglao Island for lunch. Spend the afternoon soaking up some rays, snorkelling or doing whatever else your beachside self desires. You’re getting good at this now.

Spend today relaxing in the sun and enjoying your picture perfect surroundings. We recommend checking out the nearby Balicasag Island where there’s loads of turtles to swim with, alongside shoals of colourful fish. Virgin Island is another dreamy island to explore, with its white strip of sand stretching invitingly into the ocean. This tropical paradise is the perfect place to totally unwind and get back to nature, mango shakes all round.

Enjoy breakfast and a leisurely morning before heading to the seaport for your afternoon ferry back to Cebu. Here your transfer awaits to take you to your next hotel on Mactan Island, expect more white sand beaches and swaying palm trees. Check in and freshen up for your farewell dinner with your Flashpacking gang. Such an amazing 12 days deserves a fitting end, so you’ll be wined and dined on the Lantaw Native Floating Restaurant. You have mastered your sea legs, after all.

The time has come to leave this blissful paradise. But before you get emotional, think of all the AMAZING experiences you’re going home with: you’ve cruised through the capital on bamboo bikes, stayed on the best island in the world, camped on a secret beach, snorkelled through coral reefs, quad biked across the Chocolate Hills, seen super cute tarsier monkeys, gone paddle boarding across sparkling rivers, swam with turtles and so much more! Return a glowing version of your former self, it’s been one island hopping whirlwind of pure, detoxing escapism.