The archipelagic province of Palawan is made up of one main island (the fifth largest in the Philippines) and over 1,700 islands and islets. It is a beguiling place, renowned for its pristine white sand beaches lapped by crystal clear waters, towering limestone outcrops and rich biodiversity. Sat on the western edge of the nation, there have been many external cultural and religious influences on the region, giving it a distinctly different vibe to the rest of the Philippines, meaning that exploring it is a must.

With remote jungles and rugged scenery, and the striking contrast of the emerald green of land-based nature with the turquoise green of the sea, Palawan often gets called the ‘last ecological frontier’ of the Philippines. From the regional capital of Puerto Princesa, you can easily explore this untouched nature. Don’t miss the UNESCO-listed underground river, taking a boat through the network of caves that is thought to be the longest navigable tunnel in the world. Island hopping on Honda Bay is another unmissable experience. Aboard a banca (a traditional outrigger boat), you can snorkel kaleidoscopic reefs, pass paradisial islands and spot dolphins, turtles and dugongs. The bay is also a globally important habitat for endangered whale sharks – visit in the right season and you may get to spot these majestic creatures.