We’ve booked Balabac Island Tours – Kamp Malaya twice now — two separate trips, two separate seasons — and both times the experience was consistent, organized, and smoother than trying to DIY Balabac.
As of 2026, their 4 Days & 3 Nights Joiners Package is priced at:
₱13,799 per head
This is their current joiners rate (shared setup), and for what’s included — especially considering how remote Balabac is — it’s actually competitive.
Let me walk you through what this package really feels like beyond the brochure description.
Why We Chose Them — Twice
Balabac is not the kind of place where you want to arrive with a loose plan and a hopeful attitude.
This isn’t Siargao where you can rent a tricycle and sort things out later. This isn’t El Nido where there’s a tourism desk on every corner.
In Balabac, there are no commercial terminals waiting for walk-ins.
No public tourist ferries running on fixed hourly schedules.
Signal comes and goes — mostly goes.
Many islands are privately owned and require prior coordination and permits.
Sea crossings depend on tide and weather conditions that change without warning.
Once you leave Puerto Princesa at 3 AM, you are committing.
That’s why we didn’t want to gamble.
The first time we went, I remember feeling a quiet anxiety the night before. Not fear — just awareness. We were about to travel six hours south, board a boat into open waters, and spend days on remote islands. If something fell apart logistically, there was no easy backup plan.
We didn’t want to “figure it out when we get there.”
We wanted someone who already had it figured out.
And they did.
The 3 AM pickup happened on time. Not 3:30. Not “almost there.” On time.
The six-hour van ride was coordinated smoothly. No confusion about which vehicle. No scrambling for passengers.
At Buliluyan Port, registration was already expected. We weren’t standing around asking who to approach or which boat to board.
Boat scheduling was handled based on tide and weather conditions — something you can’t just Google and manage yourself.
Island permits? Already secured.
Onok access? Included.
Food logistics? Waiting for us at camp.
Basecamp setup? Ready before we arrived.
We never once had to chase information.
And in Balabac, that’s 80% of the battle.
Because once you’re out there — really out there — you can’t just call customer service. You can’t book a last-minute alternative online. You can’t transfer to another operator easily.
You are relying on the system that brought you there.
The second time we returned, it wasn’t just because Balabac was beautiful.
It was because the first experience felt stable.
We knew what to expect. We trusted the timing. We trusted the coordination. We trusted that when they said pickup was 3 AM, it would be 3 AM.
That kind of consistency might not sound romantic, but in a remote destination like this, it’s everything.
Beauty is one thing.
Operational reliability is another.
In Balabac, you need both.
And after experiencing it once, we didn’t feel the need to look elsewhere.
We simply went back.
The ₱13,799 (2026) 4D3N Joiners Package — What It Actually Covers
At ₱13,799 per head, you’re essentially paying for a fully coordinated expedition across land and sea.
For the price it might sound like it is, but keep in mid that it’s not luxury travel.
It’s organized remote travel.
Let’s break it down properly.
Roundtrip Shared AC Van Transfers
(Puerto Princesa City – Buliluyan Port – Puerto Princesa City)
This part alone saves you serious stress.
Pickup is around 2:30–3:00 AM from your hotel in Puerto Princesa. Yes, it’s painfully early — but that’s necessary to make the sea crossing safely before afternoon winds.
The van ride:
- 5–6 hours south
- Mostly paved roads
- One major stop for breakfast and restroom
- Shared with other joiners
On both of our trips, pickups were punctual. Drivers knew the route well. No unnecessary stops. No drama.
After four days in Balabac, you’ll take the same route back north — arriving around 2:00–3:00 PM in Puerto Princesa.
And after camping for days, that air-conditioned van feels like a reward.
Roundtrip Shared Boat Transfers
(Buliluyan Port – Balabac – Buliluyan Port)
This includes:
- Passenger boat from port to first island
- Tourist boat used for island hopping
- Return sea transfer on Day 4
These are traditional bangkas. They are stable but basic.
There are no speedboats slicing through waves. Travel time depends on sea conditions.
What we appreciated:
- The crew was experienced
- Life vests were provided
- They adjusted departure times based on weather
Balabac seas can be unpredictable. You want boatmen who’ve done this hundreds of times.
Full Board Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Once you reach basecamp, food is taken care of.
Meals are simple, hearty Filipino-style dishes. Expect:
- Fresh grilled fish
- Shrimp or squid when available
- Pork or chicken dishes
- Vegetables
- Rice every meal
- Fresh fruit occasionally
After hours of swimming and island hopping, the food hits differently.
It’s not plated for Instagram.
It’s cooked to fill hungry travelers.
Important note:
If you have allergies (seafood, pork, crabs, shrimp), tell them early. They do adjust — but only if informed beforehand.
Accommodation: Sicsican Island Basecamp
This is where expectations matter. Your accommodation is on Sicsican Island, inside camping tents with complete bedding.
And when they say complete bedding, they mean:
- Proper mattress
- Pillow
- Blanket
- Tent with zip enclosure
It’s camping — but organized.
There are shared bathrooms. Water is limited but usable. Electricity is usually generator-powered at night for charging.
On our second trip, we were more mentally prepared — and honestly enjoyed it more.
At night, you hear waves. Sometimes wind. Sometimes nothing at all.
No traffic.
No notifications.
No city noise.
It’s raw — but that’s part of why Balabac still feels untouched.
Onok Island Day Tour (Highlight of the Trip)
Yes, Onok Island is included. And this matters.
Onok is privately owned and strictly regulated. You can’t just show up.
This island is famous for:
- Long powder-white sandbars
- Shallow turquoise lagoons
- Giant clams
- Turtle sightings
The first time we stepped onto Onok, it genuinely didn’t look real.
The water gradients are insane — pale aqua fading into deep blue.
If you want, you can stay overnight on Onok for an additional fee. Some travelers say that waking up there before day-trippers arrive is worth every extra peso.
Environmental Fee + All Entrance Fees
Balabac isn’t one open beach. Each island may require:
- Environmental fees
- Private land access permission
- Marine sanctuary fees
These are already included.
That’s a major advantage of booking with a licensed operator.
Local Tour Guide + Life Vest
Guides coordinate:
- Tide schedules
- Safe snorkeling zones
- Weather adjustments
- Time management
On both trips, the guides were hands-on and familiar with the islands.
Life vests are provided for transfers and snorkeling stops.
The 4-Day Itinerary (With Real Context)
🌴 Day 1 – The Long Travel Day
2:30–3:00 AM pickup.
5–6 hour van ride.
Boat to Bancalaan Island (meetup with guide).
Island hopping begins the same day.
Stops include:
- Tangkahan Island
- Patawan Island
- Arrival at Sicsican basecamp
By 5:00 PM, you’re setting up camp.
You’re exhausted — but already surrounded by ridiculous water clarity.
Dinner feels earned.
Day 2 – Onok & Starfish Sandbar
Breakfast at camp.
Then:
- Starfish Sandbar
- Onok Island
- Nasubata Reef (snorkeling)
This is usually the most photogenic day.
Onok delivers.
The sandbars stretch endlessly.
Snorkeling is vibrant when visibility is good.
Back to camp by 5 PM.
Dinner.
Stories.
Early sleep.
Day 3 – Southern Balabac Highlights
Stops include:
- Mansalangan Sandbar
- Punta Sebaring
- Rufos Coral Garden
By this point, you’re in rhythm.
Wake.
Boat.
Swim.
Eat.
Repeat.
Balabac has a way of slowing you down whether you like it or not.
Day 4 – Return to Mainland
6:00 AM departure to Buliluyan Port. Van ride back north.
Arrival in Puerto Princesa mid-afternoon.
You’ll be tired — but now you’re mentally reset.
Important Reminders (Don’t Skip This)
- Arrive in Puerto Princesa one day before your tour.
- Book your return flight a day after the tour ends.
- Day 1 breakfast is not included.
- Day 4 lunch and dinner are not included.
- No ATM machines in Balabac.
- ₱1,000 deposit is non-refundable if you cancel.
Weather always has the final say.
If the LGU cancels before departure, refunds or reschedules apply for unused services.
If the tour is cut short after starting, no refund.
That’s the reality of remote island operations.
Is the Experience Worth ₱13,799?
After booking them twice, here’s our honest take: If you value convenience in a place this remote — yes. Plus according to the other tourists we’ve talked to, the package price was almost the cheapest (since booking with Kamp Malaya means you’re booking direct to Sicsican Island’s owner).
Could you possibly DIY Balabac cheaper? Nope! When you’re travelling by the seas without a big boat, it’s better to know that you’re in good hands than take any risk from unauthorized operators.
Balabac is already a long journey. You don’t need logistical chaos on top of that.
With Kamp Malaya, what you see is what you get:
Structured.
Organized.
Remote.
Raw.
And when you’re standing on a sandbar in the middle of nowhere, the 3 AM wake-up call on the first day suddenly feels very small.
