Linapacan, Palawan: Go for a Swim in the World’s Clearest Water

ENOUGH BEACH BUMMING on the familiar beaches almost all your friends visit every summer. Go somewhere exotic this time. Go somewhere world-class. Go to Linapacan in Palawan.

Yes, you deserve it, and it won’t cost you a fortune.

Topping the list of the 35 clearest waters in the world, as first published in Matador Network, Linapacan is a remote paradise identified as the number one beach to swim in before you die. So if you haven’t swum there, you can’t die yet.

Not Boracay. Not even the world’s most popular island beaches Tu Sua Ocean Trench and Maldives, nor Bora Bora.

Linapacan is a group of islands making up a small town in Palawan province, southwest of Manila, Philippines. It’s home to only around 14,000 people as per the 2010 census, with little infrastructure development, which means you can have the islands to yourself for a day or two or more.

One of the undeveloped islands in Linapacan where tourists can stop by, go for a swim, or simply walk on the sand.

What to Do in Linapacan

Be in awe of the crystal-clear turquoise water, with a view of what’s beneath the surface by naked eye as you tour around by boat. If you decide to swim in and mingle with the marine life, no worries: just put on your goggles and feast on the colorful coral reefs and schools of fish underwater.

Touring the island gives you a sight of stunningly vibrant coral reefs like this one in Calibangbangan Island, Linapacan. The fish? Make friends with them.

Fall in love with the variety of marine life, too. Linapacan also offers excellent snorkeling spots, rural fishing villages, numerous caves, and the ruins of an old Spanish fort to explore.

One day may not be enough to explore Linapacan, so decide to stay longer. You can spend the nights sleeping on the boat, at one of the homestay options on an island, or in a lodging house in the town proper. While sleeping on the boat gives you a different experience, the latter lets you mingle with the locals and learn about the community and its culture.

Experience how it is to live outside the comfort of your home. Be on a remote island, and feel what it’s like to live differently, even for a day or two in Linapacan.

How to Get There

Sandwiched between two popular Palawan tourist destinations, El Nido and Coron, Linapacan is more accessible to tourists now than ever.

The easiest way is to fly from Manila to Busuanga/Coron, then take a boat ride (roughly Php1,400 or $30 rental) to Linapacan. The second option is the El Nido or Taytay route: fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa, then travel by land via van to either town. If you choose this route, spend a few days in El Nido or Taytay before going to Linapacan. Boat rental is also around Php1,400 or $30.

You may also choose a four-day boat trip. The budget is around P3,000-P4,000 ($65-$85), including a homestay and meals with freshly caught seafood, but excluding airfare. Check out Cebu Pacific flights daily to Busuanga/Coron and Puerto Princesa at cebupacificair.com.

You can still be a beach bum, but this time, break away from the norm.

Enjoy the view of the sunset over Linapacan.

Here’s a tip: never argue with anyone who views summer as a long, adventurous, thrilling escapade. Bring them to Linapacan.

Photos courtesy of Scott Sporleder, Scott Rinckenberger, Mike Wright, sakosana.wordpress.com, yourpalawantourguide.wordpress.com, and islandhoppinginthephilippines.com.