We arrived at our hotel at 11 AM and went straight to an island-hopping tour, which I had booked just the other day. Since it was our first day, we wanted a chill trip and we really just wanted to enjoy the beach and bask in the sun.
I chose Smith Beach and Banul Beach, which are just 30 minutes from Coron Port, as our destinations because we want to take it slow. They’re also close to each other, based on the map.
Smith Beach and Banul Beach are included as lunch stops in island-hopping tours, so we were expecting a lot of tourists when we got there. Instead, I think we arrived just in time since there was still a spot for us.
FYI: Palawan’s coast guards are very strict in implementing safety measures, so wearing life jackets upon departure is a must.
As we approached Smith Beach, we were in awe of its beauty and its turquoise waters.
We had our lunch immediately, which our guide prepared for us as per my request for 1500 pesos. Now look at that view! That’s not even edited or filtered.
After 3 hours, we left Smith Beach and went to Banul Beach, which is just on the other side. I’ve read a lot about Banul Beach and how beautiful this beach is so I’m on my way to judge lol
So here’s how Banul Beach looks like from afar.
Banul Beach has a longer shoreline compared to Smith Beach and has more cottages. There are also stores at Banul Beach, so I’d say this is more convenient than Smith Beach.
We stayed here for another two hours and enjoyed the beach until we got tired.
This private island hopping cost us ₱4,000, which included the tour guide fee. The entrance fee to each beach was ₱150 per person.