Balabac, Palawan Philippines: Why Maldives Was Never An Option
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Photo by: John So
Last year, my friends and I decided to explore Southern Palawan, specifically Balabac. We stayed at Punta Sibaring for a few nights in our tents. No electricity. Just a group of people who loves to wander the Philippines.
The Ocean Is So Blue and So Clear
One of my coworkers boasted his plans to go to Maldives before, but I never felt a tinge of jealousy. When you have seen what the beaches of the Philippines could offer, you wouldn’t want to go to another country just to dip your toes in clear water.
For the first time in my life, I went camping by the beach in Balabac. They said it’s the “Million-Stars Accommodation”, and it truly was. I wish I could have captured how the sky looked every night in a photo. You can see the Galaxy from the bamboo bench by the shore. It was so overwhelming that I felt like drowning.
I am not going to elaborate my experience in Balabac, but here’s a short video of how my summer last year started.
Things to Note before going to Balabac
- You can’t be a diva when you want to go there. Rid yourself of all your inhibitions. You’re going to be one with nature, so embrace it.
- The islands are filled with niknik, also known as sand mites or gnats. Insect repellents do not work on them. However, there’s an Australian product that was said to really work, it’s called Bushman Repellent. Wear long-sleeved shirts, loose pants that have garters at the ends, and socks.
- The sand there is so fine that it can penetrate your tent if it’s too open. It can be quite windy, so by the end of the day, you might end up with a mountain of sand inside your tent.
Things to Bring
- There is no electricity at Punta Sibaring. Bring power banks and extra batteries for your gadgets. If you have solar-powered chargers, bring them.
- Bring your own tent, hammock, bedding.
- Bring sufficient purified water. My friends and I brought 5 containers of purified water.
- Bring your own food supplements, vitamins, medicines, and first aid kits. You should also bring your own plate, utensils, and tumblers.
- If you’re allergic to seafood, bring your own food before going there. It’s best to bring canned goods, because there’s no refrigerator to store fresh food.
- You can’t rent swimming gears there, like snorkeling gears or fins, so bring your own. Do not forget to bring aqua shoes, as there are sea urchins that could pierce your feet.
If you’re interested to go to Balabac in Palawan, Philippines, you can just do a simple Google search to find a contact. According to my friend, our contact no longer owns Punta Sibaring, so new arrangements may differ. #
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