Why Everyone Talks About This Sailing Trip

If you have spent any amount of time researching the Philippines lately, then you have probably seen people talking about the famous multi-day sailing expedition between Coron and El Nido.

Honestly, it completely lived up to the hype.

Choosing the Right Sailing Company

I booked my expedition with Buhay Island Ecotour because, as a solo traveler, I wanted something more relaxed and less focused on partying. I had seen a lot of mixed reviews online about different companies, but I really enjoyed my experience.

Buhay Island Ecotour: https://www.buhayislandecotour.com/

Coron to El Nido or El Nido to Coron?

One thing to know is that it honestly does not matter too much whether you start in Coron or El Nido. I did notice that some of the larger boats seemed to start in El Nido, but Coron worked better with my travel schedule.

The Pre-Departure Briefing

Before the trip, we had a sailing briefing, which personally felt a little unnecessary, but it was still helpful to meet some of the people before departing.

What You Should Bring

One thing I would highly recommend is bringing your own sunscreen before arriving. Some shops on the islands sell fake sunscreen, and when you are spending multiple days directly in the sun, you definitely want proper protection.

I would highly recommend packing reef-safe sunscreen, shoes that can get wet, a towel, sunglasses, a hat, a portable charger, a good book, bug spray, breathable clothing, swimsuits, medication just in case, and possibly a dry bag if you want one.

Personally, I do not think a dry bag is absolutely necessary, but many travelers strongly disagree with me on that.

Sleeping in Island Huts

During the expedition, you stay in huts on different islands each night. Since I was traveling solo, I actually got lucky and ended up with my own hut, which I loved. They were simple but honestly really cute.

Adjusting to Island Life

However, be prepared for a much more rustic experience than staying in a hostel or hotel. Depending on the island, showers are often done with buckets of water, and the bathrooms can definitely be an adventure. Also, there are no toilets on the boat itself.

Life on the Boat

One of my favorite parts of the trip was how social it naturally became. Every day included swimming, snorkeling, tanning, volleyball, cliff jumping, and exploring tiny islands in the middle of nowhere.

Running Into Familiar Faces

As we traveled between islands, we would constantly pass other expedition boats. Sometimes I would even spot people I had met earlier in my trip at hostels in Coron.

Disconnecting From Normal Life

The snorkeling throughout the trip was beautiful, and being disconnected from normal life for a few days honestly felt refreshing.

The Food Was Surprisingly Amazing

Another thing that surprised me was how good the food was. We had a mix of traditional Filipino food along with other meals, and I genuinely enjoyed almost everything we ate.

Arriving in El Nido

By the time I arrived in El Nido, I completely understood why so many travelers say this expedition becomes one of the highlights of their Southeast Asia trip.

Was It Worth It?

If you are debating whether to do the Coron to El Nido sailing expedition, I would absolutely recommend it, especially if you love being on the water, meeting people from around the world, and experiencing a more adventurous side of travel.

It was one of those experiences that reminded me why backpacking can be so special in your 20s.