Touchdown Linapacan, Palawan: Calacala, Manlihan and Tacling Islands

waters of Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

I have from 6-8 days in Palawan, and nothing in mind but getting to Linapacan Island. Months ago, I've read from some article online that Linapacan is considered to have the clearest water in the world.

There was really no research done at all on how to get or so, but upon arrival in El Nido, I've seen some trips going to Linapacan. The only problem is they were way too expensive...almost the same as a regular airfare.

trips to Linapacan Island, Palawan between Coron and El Nido

What I did, after, well, spending 2K pesos for 2 days in El Nido, i decided to move to Linapacan.

I looked for the closest town from the Mainland, and it seemed it's San Fernando. From San Fernando, we'll try to hitch with the fisherfolks.

There was a trip from the El Nido terminal that leaves 11am to San Fernando. There are also passengers in the jeep for Linapacan, and because i was early enough, my rapport building skills got me connected rightaway to the owners of what are said to be the best destinations in Linapacan. They happen to be passengers of the same jeep.

jeep bound to San Fernando El Nido (Jump off to Tacling, Calacala and Manlihan Islands) Palawan

The passengers I was with were residents/bound to brgy Kalibangbangan, which is the nearest jump off point for the islands.

One other passenger is the brgy secretary, Nicole, also bound for brgy kalibangbangan, and I told her i'll do a courtesy to the brgy captain upon arrival.

While we were told it shall only take us 1 hour to San Fernando, it actually took us close to 4 hours. San Fernando was about 30 something kilometers from el nido town, and because there's only one trip daily, it was full, of people and baggage. There were also some people we picked up along the way. The unloading and loading of passengers, and their baggages took more time than the travel itself.

toploading to San Fernando, El Nido, Palawan (en route to Linapacan, Palawan)

road to to San Fernando, El Nido, Palawan (en route to Linapacan, Palawan)

fruits of Toploading to to San Fernando, El Nido, Palawan (en route to Linapacan, Palawan)

Upon arrival in San Fernando, we asked around for boats going to Linapacan or Brgy Kalibangbangan. We were pointed to the commuter boat, but the schedule is but next day. There was also no lodging house at the port, other than just probably knocking from the houses. 

trips to Linapacan Island from San Fernando, El Nido, Palawan

Port Area in San Fernando, El Nido, Palawan (En route to Linapacan Island, Palawan)

Meantime, 3 boats are bound to kalibangbangan. One is, the owner of Tacling island, another is Kuya Danny, who I sat beside with in the topload (and if only not irrelevant, that 4 hours ride was enough to tell me how he got to linapacan from zamboanga del sur, and half of his lifetime), and finally, Nicole and his (yeah, he/she's a transvestite) brother in law.

boat of Kuya Elly to San Fernando, El Nido, Palawan en route to Linapacan

Since we were already with the rightful owners of the Tacling Island, they were the first boat whom we approached; Then again, they were saying that they'll have to go to some islands first and it will be best if we rather check out with the other boats, and upon arrival in kalibangbangan, we can ask for their house, and they'll service us to tacling where we can spend overnight.

It was Nicole and his brother in law who gladly welcomed us in their boat. 

The plan was actually to, upon arrival in Kalibangbangan, show us to the Tacling island owner's house, but, as we've talked so much already in the boatride, we ended up staying at Nicole's place. Upon arrival, I saw a vacant hut right in front of the beach, and asked Nicole if we can spend the night there. He said Yes, and brought us some beddings later.

the well and water in Brgy Kalibangbangan in Linapacan Island, Palawan

House of Nicole and Tupe in  in Brgy Kalibangbangan in Linapacan Island, Palawan

The ff day, Nicole and family accompanied us in the island hopping trips to Calacala, Manlihan, and Tacling islands.

Of the three islands, we stopped first at Calacala Island. Upon arrival, we met the owner (who I met in the terminal) and toured us around the island.

Limbonis and Friends bound to Calacala, Manlihan and Tacling Islands in Linapacan, Palawan

en route to Calacala Island in Linapacan Island, Palawan

en route to Calacala Island in Linapacan Island, Palawan

Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

sand in Linapacan, Palawan

reef in CalaCala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

reef in Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Limbonis and reef in Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

underwater shot of our hosts in Linapacan, Palawan

reef in Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Limbonis in Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Waters in Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Limbonis in Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Calacala Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Then, after going round the island, some snorkelling, and serving our lunch, we decided to move ahead to Manlahi island, so we don't run out of time for Tacling Island.

In Manlahi, we met some fisherfolks of Tupe, and asked for some fresh catch. We couldn't come close as the water was on low, so jumped off and snorkled right around the boat.

Blue Starfishes in Manlahi Island in Linapacan, Palawan

fresh catch in Manlahi Island in Linapacan, Palawan

en route to Tacling Island in Linapacan, Palawan

In Tacling, the current was so strong so we couldn't snorkle. Nevertheless, from the view atop the water, it seems the reef in Calacala island is a lot better. We ended up liking Calacala more than Tacling.

Tacling Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Tacling Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Tacling Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Tacling Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Tacling Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Tacling Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Tacling Island in Linapacan, Palawan

Looking to travelling to this destination? Talk to me and we'll let's talk about your accomodation, transpo, and tour options