Compared to many other places in the Philippines, Port Barton gets relatively few tourists and you will find less crowded tours and beaches.
That being said, it is growing rapidly and new restaurants and homestays are cropping up each and every month.
Either way, it’s well worth a visit and is located just a few short hours from the popular destination of El Nido.
So, without further ado, let’s get stuck into the 15 best things to do in Port Barton ...
The 15 Best Things To Do In Port Barton
1. Go Swimming With Turtles
The first few things on this list are usually best enjoyed as a part of a day long boat tour.
We took a tour with a local boat who helped us to visit all of the following, with swimming with the turtles being my highlight! It seems that every day, the same group of turtles return to a shallow bay between two small islands.
Here, you can get out and swim down to them whilst they feed on the sandbeds below.
There are a few different points to swim with turtles in The Philippines, but this was by far my favorite point.
2. Check Out The Starfish Sand Bar
At the end of our tour, we stopped off at a large sand bar (a spit of sand sticking out in the ocean). Here, you can get out and walk through the shallow waters where there’s an abundance of starfish living.
It’s a nice spot and a great way to end the day.
I also liked the sand bar as, compared to other sandbars in The Philippines, this one was much less crowded.
I imagine that might change in coming months and years as Port Barton gets busier, but hopefully not!
3. Snorkel Over Untouched Reefs
There are a number of places to snorkel around Port Barton, with all tours offering at least one or two chances.
From what we saw, the reefs aren’t as widespread and grandiose as those in El Nido or Coron, but they are certainly less crowded and more untouched. One of the things I disliked about El Nido is how much the reefs had been destroyed by the local boats, whereas here they clearly take a lot more care with preserving their marine life. 4. Drink Cocktails On German Island
After enjoying lunch and swimming with the turtles, our tour boat dropped us off at German Island, where they gave us almost two hours to chill and unwind. Here, you’ll find deck chairs, tables and a bar.
It’s a great spot amidst the crystal blue waters, to relax and enjoy some drinks and to catch up on your tan.
Apparently, it’s called German Island because a number of years ago a German guy came out and loved it so much that he bought it!
Though a few years ago he gave the island back to the locals, as we were told there were disputes over who actually owned the island and whether it was even legal to sell it in the first place.
5. Enjoy A Fresh Philippino BBQ On The Beach
From all of the island hopping tours we did in The Philippines, one of the biggest highlights on every one was lunch!
They cook up a fresh Philippino BBQ there and then, offering up fresh fish, chicken, shrimp, rice, noodles and fruits.
The spread can differ depending on which tour you do, but I really did love every single one, with Port Barton being no exception! Don't forget to book your island hopping tour (check prices here).
6. Chill Out On White Beach
Palawan is famous for it's incredible beaches, and El Nido is even home to the most beautiful beach in Asia.
Well, Port Barton is also pretty darn impressive when it comes to beaches; in particular White Beach.
This is a long, you guessed it, white beach located about a 30 to 40 minute walk outside of the main port area.
You are more than welcome to walk there, or a lot of people choose to get a boat from the harbour to take them over there.
There’s a small entrance fee to pay once you arrive at White Beach.
7. Swim In The Nearby Waterfalls
There are two popular sets of waterfalls near Port Barton, these are Pamuayan Falls and Bigaho Falls. You can hike all the way to Pamuayan Falls and the journey takes about an hour each way.
The route is signposted, or you can find a guide in town if you would prefer. Bigaho Falls can also be reached from the main town area of Port Barton; alternatively, you can visit them as a part of an organised day tour, which was offered as Tour C when we visited.
8. Get REAL Coffee From Milano Cafe
One of the few things that we struggled to find anywhere in The Philippines was decent coffee. They really aren’t big coffee connoisseurs out there, and by the time we got to Port Barton we were really missing some great quality coffee.
Located on the main road into town, Milano Cafe was founded by an Italian couple who fell in love with the area and decided to move here and start a business. Well, like true Italians they take great pride in their coffee, as well as offering some other great Italian classics, like gelato.
They even import cheese all the way from Italy, so it’s well worth a visit and it quickly one of my favourite things to do in Port Barton.
9. Enjoy Sunsets On Taytay Beach
One of the best things to see in Port Barton are the wonderful sunsets. The town is perfectly situated for incredible sunsets, another thing that makes Port Barton so increasingly popular.
Taytay Beach is the main beach in Port Barton, and is a great spot for sunsets. There’s plenty of areas where you’ll find no restaurants or bars, just palm trees to chill in front of.
When the sun sets, it’s a popular place to pick up some great Instagram-worthy shots and to appreciate the colors changing over the sky ahead.
10. Check Out The Excellent Restaurants On The Front
Despite being a relatively new tourist destination to visit in The Philippines, there are plenty of really great restaurants in Port Barton.
Every night we were there we chose a different restaurant, and were not disappointed once.
If you are a fan of seafood, like me, then you should try the crab while you are here. It is freshly sourced and sooooo good!
Better yet, it costs a fraction of the price you would pay for it back in Europe, so make the most of it!
11. Stop Off For A Massage Before Heading To Bed
When strolling back along the beach after dinner, the best thing we did was stop off for massages in one of the beachside salons.
There are a number of them, all priced the same and offering the same variety of services.
For less than $10 you can have a great, hour long, full body massage right there on the beach!
A great way to finish the day and one of the best things to do in Port Barton at night. 12. Get Drunk At CocoRico
Speaking of what to do in Port Barton at nighttime, why not get drunk!? CocoRico seemed like the place to be if you are young and looking for a wild night.
Best of all, it is ridiculously cheap. How cheap?
Well, if you’re there between 7 and 7:30, then drinks are free!
Finding CocoRico is easy, just head one road up from the main beach and follow the music.
13. Camp On The Beach!
One of the things I am gutted we didn't get a chance to do in Port Barton was to go camping!
From what we’ve read online and people we’ve spoken to, camping overnight on a nearby beach is an incredible experience, and gives you the chance to totally disconnect from the outside world.
It’s usually included as a part of 2 day long island hopping tours and you literally pitch up tents on a secluded beach and all spend the night there.
When we return to Port Barton, this is an experience that we will not miss out on again!
14. Go Diving
Like anywhere in Palawan, it’s possible to go on diving tours from Port Barton. The best way to find out more information is to just head to the beach and speak to the guides who are always there. The going rate seems to be about $70 for a day tour, and that includes everything, as well as lunch.
15. Relax!
Stop rushing around and take it easy!
By far the best thing to do in Port Barton is to take time to unwind and chill, be that on the beach, in your room, by a waterfall, on a turtle, whatever!
Port Barton is a chilled out place, far more so than other popular Palawan destinations like Coron and El Nido.
So don’t pack your schedule too much or you won’t have enough time to enjoy the slow pace of this wonderful little town.
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