The Ultimate Packing Guide for a Palawan Island Expedition

Let's be honest — packing for an island expedition is an art form. Pack too much and you'll be wrestling a suitcase onto a traditional wooden boat with nowhere to put it. Pack too little and you'll be sunburnt, seasick, and wishing you'd read this guide a week earlier.

The good news? Palawan doesn't ask much of you. A soft bag, the right essentials, and an open heart will take you further than any over-packed suitcase ever could. Here's everything you actually need — and a few things you can happily leave at home.

First Things First: Leave the Suitcase Behind

Seriously. A soft-shell backpack or duffel bag of 40–60 litres is the sweet spot — easy to stow, easy to carry across a beach, and perfectly sized for everything on this list.

Sun & Sea Essentials

This is Palawan. The sun is relentless, the water is irresistible, and you'll be in both for most of the day. Get these right and everything else falls into place.

• 🌿 Reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+) — Non-negotiable. Many of Palawan's most stunning islands now require it, and for good reason. The reefs here are extraordinary — let's keep them that way.
• 👕 Rash guard or UV-protective swimwear — Your skin will thank you after four days of open-water adventures. Lightweight, quick-dry, and endlessly practical.
• 🕶️ Polarised sunglasses — Not just stylish. Polarised lenses cut the glare off the water and protect your eyes during long days at sea.
• 👒 Wide-brim hat or cap — Shade is your best friend on the open deck. A packable wide-brim hat works beautifully and takes up zero space.
• 👙 2–3 swimsuits — You'll be in and out of the water all day. Having a dry one waiting for you is a small luxury that makes a big difference.

Gear That Actually Earns Its Place

Not everything on this list is glamorous, but every single item has a job to do out there.

• 🎒 Dry bag (10–20L) — Your phone, passport, camera, and cash need to stay dry. A good dry bag is worth every peso. Don't leave without one.
• 💊 Seasickness tablets or patches — The open water between Coron and the Linapacan Islands can get choppy, especially during windy season. Come prepared and enjoy the journey rather than endure it.
• 🔦 Small headlamp or torch — Island base camps are beautifully rustic, which means lighting after dark can be minimal. A compact headlamp is endlessly useful for navigating beach camps at night.
• 🔌 Portable power bank — You won't find power points on a bangka boat. A fully charged power bank keeps your camera and phone alive for the whole journey.
• 🔄 Universal International Power Travel Plug Adapter — When power points are available at base camps or before you set sail, a universal adapter ensures your phone, camera, and all other devices charge without a hitch — no matter where you've travelled from.
• 💧 Reusable water bottle — Fresh drinking water is provided throughout the expedition, but having your own bottle means you can stay hydrated on the go, and you'll be doing your part to keep single-use plastic off these pristine shores.

Clothing: Less Is Genuinely More

The beauty of island life is that it demands very little. You'll spend most of your days in swimwear, and evenings are warm and breezy. Think light, quick-dry, and versatile.

• 2–3 lightweight tops or linen shirts — Perfect for beach camp evenings when you want to feel a little more human after a full day in the water.
• 1 pair of board shorts or casual shorts — Multi-purpose, fast-drying, and ideal for everything from snorkelling to cooking sessions to sunset beers.
• 1 light layer or hoodie — Nights on the open water can get surprisingly cool, especially if you're sailing early morning. A thin fleece or cotton hoodie is all you need.
• Flip flops + one pair of water shoes — Flip flops for beach camp life, water shoes for rocky shore landings. Together, they've got every terrain covered.
• Underwear x5, socks x2 — Yes, even here. Pack quick-dry fabrics wherever possible.

Health, Hygiene & the Little Things

Island base camps are wonderfully simple — and that simplicity is part of the magic. But a few small items go a long way toward keeping you comfortable.

• 🦟 Insect repellent — Beach camp evenings are beautiful. The mosquitoes, less so. Pack a good DEET-based repellent or a natural alternative and apply it generously at dusk.
• 🧴 toiletries — Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, etc.
• 🪥 Toothbrush, toothpaste, and face wash — Keep it minimal, keep it travel-sized.
• 💊 Personal medications + a basic first aid kit — Plasters, antihistamines, electrolyte sachets, and any prescription medications you need. Once you're at sea, the nearest pharmacy is a long way away.
• 🧻 [Optional] Small pack of tissues or wet wipes — A quiet hero of any island expedition. Always useful, always appreciated.
• 🌙 [Optional] After-sun lotion — Even the most diligent sunscreen appliers catch a little too much on an expedition like this. After-sun is your best recovery tool.

The Money Conversation

Here's something many first-time Palawan visitors don't expect — cash is king out here. Remote islands don't have ATMs, card readers are rarely reliable, and your digital wallet won't help you buy a cold San Miguel at a beach camp. Before you depart:

• Withdraw enough Philippine Pesos in Coron or El Nido to cover the full expedition plus a comfortable buffer for tips, souvenirs, and extra drinks.
• A helpful rule of thumb: budget ₱2,000–₱3,000 extra per day per person for personal spending beyond what's included.
• Keep your cash in a waterproof pouch inside your dry bag — not in your shorts pocket when you're jumping off the side of a boat.

What to Leave at Home

Just as important as what you bring is what you don't bring. Trust us on this one:

• ❌ Hard-shell suitcases
• ❌ Laptops (leave work behind — it'll still be there when you get back)
• ❌ Excessive jewellery or valuables
• ❌ Hair dryers or straighteners (island hair is a vibe, embrace it)
• ❌ Anything you'd be heartbroken to lose to the sea

One Last Thing to Pack

It can't be bought, borrowed, or stuffed into a dry bag — but it might be the most important thing you bring on this expedition.

An open mind and a go-with-the-flow attitude.

Palawan is wild, beautiful, and beautifully unpredictable. Weather shifts, itineraries flex, and the unexpected becomes the best part of the story. The travellers who love this journey most aren't the ones with the perfect packing list — they're the ones who arrive ready to be surprised, to connect, to slow down, and to let the islands lead the way.

Pack light, travel with heart, and leave with memories that stay with you long after the voyage ends.

See you on the water. 🌊

Whether you're setting sail on the Salty Souls Coron to El Nido Expedition or embarking on the journey the other way around — save this guide, pack your dry bag, and get ready for the kind of adventure that reminds you why you travel in the first place.