We offer serviced camping. Mattress with fresh linens under a mosquito tent can be set up on our cottage in Ginto Island either on the beach. Camping equipment is also available. We have decent toilets and hot showers on our site and fresh towels and toiletry kits.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Charming
Location
Serena Street Barangay Buenasuerte, El Nido, Palawan Island 5313 Philippines
Our experience with Isla Expeditions exceeded all expectations. We indulged in two island hopping adventures with them - one as a private tour and the other as a shared tour. The level of service provided was exceptional and the team that accompanied us was nothing short of amazing. We loved how we were given the freedom to customize our itinerary according to our preferences. The crew was always informing us in advance about the next stops and options available. Opting for the speedboat was the best decision we made as we were always the first to arrive at each destination before the other tour operators.
The cost of the tour was inclusive of a professional guide, a competent boat crew, snorkeling mask and tuba, a fantastic lunch buffet, and a short selection of non-alcoholic beverages. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the shared tour only accommodated 8 to 10 people, and the service was just as remarkable as the private tour. I would highly recommend Isla Expeditions to anyone looking for an unforgettable island hopping adventure. Their attention to detail, customer service, and passion for what they do make them stand out from the rest. Don't miss out on this amazing experience!
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Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We really loved this 5 days island hoping trip. It was really fun with this lovely crew. Breakfasr, lunch, snack, dinner were always well cooked. Always too much. We saw philipines from a different way. The staff, specially pinay, helped us out when we got some probelmes with the airline.
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Date of stay: November 2015Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isla Expeditions is the perfect way to see secluded beaches, great snorkelling and the very best of Palawan without staying in a luxury resort. It is perfect for those who love an adventure and being outdoors. The buildings are on the edge of the beach and fit perfectly with the surroundings.
The best thing about the trip was the food - it was incredible! The chef even managed to cook an amazing meal of chicken, pork, fish and vegetables on the side of a beach using a tiny grill.
However, it is very expensive for Philippine standards, and as the boats are just hired fishing boats (something anyone can do), the cost is possibly not justified. If camping, beach bonfires and being in the wilderness is perfect for you then this is the place. If not, it is perhaps worth paying a bit more for your creature comforts or a lot less and going somewhere like Port Barton that also lacks wifi/electricity/hot showers etc..
The staff were lovely, but I was kept awake listening to them drinking until 2am one evening, and was woken to the sound of vomit the next morning! This sounds like it was just a one-off, however.
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Date of stay: October 2015
Value
Rooms
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It was about 8 months before booking the holiday of a lifetime that I decided to call Isla Expeditions to arrange a special tailor made diving expedition to islands north of El Nido. It sounded like just the kind of thing that my husband I would enjoy- off the beaten track, unchartered dive sites, great food, and ‘glamping’ on a faraway island. The cost was steep (over 250 USD per person per night) but we thought it worthwhile, especially after speaking on the phone with Isla Expeditions and reading all the great reviews. We planned our whole Christmas vacation around this trip, and this was going to be the highlight. Four days before we are to arrive in El Nido I get a message from the manager saying their emergency oxygen tank has broken, and diving is cancelled. I ask how difficult it is to find a spare as the reason we had booked the trip was to dive. She says she will try. When we arrive- no emergency oxygen tank has been found.
We prepare for a snorkeling trip, and are still in good spirits. No discount is given although the company essentially messed up, they just removed the cost of diving from our total bill. I would expect as certain discount when guests have booked long in advance, and this mess-up happens a few days before arrival… Gytnos island with with its wrap around turquoise blue waters, and campsite nestled back in the palm trees is really idyllic, and island hopping led us to some pretty good snorkeling sites. Unfortunately the whole experience was not.
Specific complaints:
- Brewed coffee ran out the second morning, as did clean towels. Also on day two they ran out of coconuts.. if that’s not coconuts, I’m not sure what is. - Nothing to drink except coca cola, water or tea and coffee. Surely for an all inclusive trip which costs over 200 USD per person per head, you would expect a few juices and other soft drinks to be available. Gyntos is not that far off the beaten track, its high season and there are boats landing at Gytos daily. If only coca cola is supplied this must be conveyed to guests before departure, also that there are no alcoholic beverages for sale other than beer and local rum. Had we known this we would have gone to the bottle store and supplied up! There is certainly no personal bar service with someone bringing brandy and cokes to your sunchair (as written in the below Tripadvisor comments). We had to beg for the staff to make Calamansi juice, nothing was ever offered to us, and we continuously had to ask for things. Staff were not proactive at all. - There was one shower for twenty people, meaning that after island hopping people had to wait 1-2 hrs before taking a shower. There was another broken shower which no one attempted to fix during our four days there. The working shower was filthy…as was the one functioning toilet (see attached photos). The first thing staff should do in the morning is clean the toilets and shower especially with 20 people at camp!! - Second evening ran out of food, and several lunches were sparse, small plate of pork for 8 hungry people to dig into. Some meals were great, others were not, and with too little food. On all inclusive trip you expect there to be enough food. - 3 hammocks for over 20 people - No snacks. People are hungry after a full day snorkeling, especially if food at lunch was sparse. We had to beg for a snack one evening before dinner - One kayak to ferry people from island to boat- takes about an hour to get going in the morning, and when disembarking at the end of the day. Surely another 2 kayaks when 20 people are staying on the island should be organized. - Staff of boat sitting in back smoking and drinking rum when guests are keen to get back to Gyntos after snorkeling. - Emaciated dog roaming around camp. If Isla is involved with the community on the island, sort it out. Either get some deworming tablets from Nido, FEED the dogs away from camp, or put the poor thing out of its misery. It’s not a nice sight to have starving dogs staring at you while you eat!
The absolute ultimate disaster is that we are on a snorkeling trip, instead of a diving trip, and the organizer had forgotten to ask if our group needs, also my mask is filthy with a faulty mouth piece so I look like a whale blowing water continuously. Luckily I’m a strong swimmer…but for such an expensive trip, with the main activity being snorkeling, with some strong currents, one would expect Isla to provide flippers and functional snorkeling equipment?
Other issues that put a damper on the whole experience:
The back of the camp had litter strew here and there, trash and bottles and ash trays filled with cigarette butts lay around the common area for more than two days without being cleaned up by staff. It’s imperative that there is a proper waste disposal on an island.
I got covered in bites from sandflies at night, surely for a 200 USD/night place it would be good to tell people about it this before hand, and have bug spray available to use… Our last evening the staff tell us that we need to give up our comfortable mattress, and we sleep on a paper thin camping mattress the last evening.
It seems the trip was overbooked, supplies were limited and Isla just were unable to handle this. A chef that came from Coron on day 3, did try really hard to organize things and made some amazing food for us. Don’t remember his name, but he knew what hospitality was all about
The cherry on top was that a boat that came to camp on new years eve and bought one bottle of wine for the group with a price tag of 2450 pesos (60 USD). We bought it as there was nothing else. Back Nido we visited a few wine and beer shops and saw that the price tag for a good enough bottle of wine was between 300-800 pesos. Had it been far of the beaten track and no supplies at Nido, then maybe, just maybe would have 2450 pesos been justifiable. For us it just felt like we had been taken for a ride.
Later after diving with a very professional diving company in Nido- we casually asked around how difficult it was to source another emergency oxygen- relatively easy they said, a day in Puerto Princesa, and that if the company had really wanted to get another they would have made a plan. Seems like Isla Expeditions overbooked and didn’t care too much about customer service. We met many others on the trip who were sorely disappointed and am hoping they have also spoken with management about their concerns.
My husband and I have camped our way through Africa for a year in our own vehicle, and camped in remote place all over the world. We did a similar ‘expedition’ in northern Mozambique sailing between islands with a company . It’s not that difficult to make things a little luxurious, especially at 200 USD/head- and Gyntos really isn’t that far off the beaten track. Very disappointing, and the 30 USD discount per day didn’t really make up for it. Filipinos are great, and amazingly friendly people, and we will be back one day, but not with Isla expeditions.
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Date of stay: December 2015
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Last January, we did two expeditions with Isla. First trip was from el nido to coron for two nights and the 2nd was going back to el nido because we didn't want to go back to the passenger boat after the luxury. The deck of the boat is really nice. while sailing you just sit there, relax and enjoy the view. On every stop, you can either jump into the water to snorkel or kayak going to the island. I snorkeled most of the time because you can't miss to see the beautiful underwater, that was the highlight for me. Water was so clear that you can see the spectacular marine life just above the water In ginto island, sleeping at the beach at night in a mosquito net was one of a kind experience. While lying on the foam mattress you can see the clear sky and stargazing Ryan, Lixe and all the crew were very nice. They were very accommodating. Ensuring, all the guests to have a memorable experience. Every food that the chef made was so good too! Remote islands of Linapacan were just like a paradise. It was an amazing experience!
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Date of stay: January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After searching online for island hopping tour I came across Island expeditions 3 day 2 night trip from El Nido (Palawan) to Coron City (Busuanga), sleeping the nights on Ginto Island. Throughout the booking process Ryan and his team where very proactive, replying to emails promptly and giving us a wealth of information and options. We met up with Ryan the day before, he was very friendly and welcoming and his company offers a high standard of product. He has a fantastic team working for him, every single one goes out of their way to make it an unforgettable experience. The food is prepared fresh by their own chef who adapts to meet dietary requirements. Throughout the tour you stop at a number of white sand islands with different shades of blue waters and an abundance of healthy reefs to snorkel. Ginto Island is were you spend the night. The facilities are excellent. Clean showers and toilets, nicely looked after and well decorated. They have a bamboo house to chill out in, or for those who do not wish to camp on the beach they have an open air room. Stunning!!! We camped in a mosquito tent. Very comfy with mattress, blankets and pillows. It gives you a clear view of the palm trees and stars so you can gaze throughout the night. In all my years travelling this has got to be one of the best things I have done. The islands are remote, unspoilt and breath tacking. I want to say Ryan, Lexi, Philip, Chef and the rest of the team, thank you thank you thank you. You made our trip to the Philipines and hope to return in January.
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Date of stay: April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This Expedition was such a refreshing change from the large number of people I attended Day Trips with on the Mainlands. Instead of being jammed on a boat with 16 other people, Isla expeditions had me joined by just 4. They offer a very small and customised Tour. They cater for every individual in the group, and do not force any itinerary upon the guests.
From the moment I stepped foot on the Island I was greeted with a damp towel and a fresh Buko. Before long I found myself laying in a Hammock being brought Cashews and Brandy with Cokes. I was treated like a King and received this sort of treatment through out my whole stay on the Island. The staff were always working there hardest to provide a 5 star service to all the guests and no request was ever to much.
The food was also 5 star and many people on the expedition commented on the high quality of the meals. The Pig on the spit on the final night really topped off an incredible culinary experience.
The Day Trips were incredible! We were taken to Post Card perfect Islands and waters. The snorkelling was out of this world! I would have to say the marine life would have to be one of the best in the World! Unlike the generic Day Trips that 100's of travellers make each day on the Palawan Mainlands; Isla Expeditions only go to exclusive untouched and spectacular Islands and waters. The Islands we were taken to had a real sense of peace and tranquility about them. The feeling of being the only people on the Islands gave me a real sense of liberation and happiness.
The Camping at night was fun. The staff ask where you want your mosquito net tent to be placed on the Island. If its a nice night you can sleep under the stars on the beach which is amazing.
A real 5 star experience that I will be recommending to everyone..
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Date of stay: April 2015Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We signed up with Isla Expeditions for the 3 nights 4 days expedition from El Nido to Linapacan and then to Coron. Linapacan had been in our bucket list because it was voted to have the clearest waters in the world. Here’s what we love about the whole experience with Isla Expeditions:
1. THE BOAT The boat is not crowded! There are only a maximum of 10 guests per boat during an expedition so the boat is not jam-packed or full. During our trip, there were only 8 guests including us, all couples from different parts of the world. The boat also has its own kayak.
2. THE ISLANDS The islands we visited are breathtaking, exotic, remote and mostly uninhabited. During the day, we would be the only ones in the islands enjoying the beaches and this is what makes the experience very special. We enjoyed swimming and snorkelling in crystal clear waters rich with marine life and we saw some turtles too. If you want to be away from tourist crowds, then this is your island hopping paradise.
3. THE FOOD The food was outstanding! This expedition comes with a personal chef. We always look forward to breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food was exceptionally delicious and always prepared fresh. The dishes were presented by the chef so everyone had an idea what the ingredients are especially those with special dietary needs. The meals were always pretty and varied- fish, chicken, meat, shrimps, squid, vegetables, pasta, soup, fresh fruits. This expedition is an incredible island hopping culinary experience in itself.
4. THE PRIVATE CAMPSITE The private campsite in Ginto Island is serene and has a rustic charm to it. We were the only ones in the campsite aside from the family of the caretaker. On our first day, one of the guides took us to the other side of the island to watch the sunset and it was marvelous. That same night, it was a full moon and it was absolutely stunning! We just felt grateful on how lucky we are to be in such an amazing place. The main cottage is made of native materials. There is a socials area with low tables and pillows on the floor where appetizers, snacks, fresh coconut juice or drinks are served. On the other side is the dining area. Having dinner at the camp was always lovely. The table was completely set-up like a fine-dining restaurant (table cloth, place mats, cutlery) surrounded with torches and of course the spectacular dishes were paraded from the kitchen and well presented. Do not expect wifi here, this is remote paradise! The generator was on a few hours at night for some music and dancing and to charge our gadgets. There is a toilet room and a shower room with running water and are always kept clean. Another unique experience in this expedition was their transparent sleeping pods with mattress. We were comfortable and we got to sleep under beautiful night skies. We were not bothered by insects or mosquitoes. You also have the option to sleep in the cottage. Other things to do in the campsite are snorkeling, playing volleyball, kayaking or just chilling in the hammocks or day beds.
5. THE AMAZING CREW The staff of Isla Expeditions are genuinely caring and accommodating. The trip was well-organized. They will even pick you up in a van from your hotel in El Nido. They went out of their way to make the expedition enjoyable and fun. They took us to the best snorkelling spots and cliff jumping spots. The local guides and boat crew are well-experienced and knowledgeable about the areas we went. They took care of everything, all we had to do was have fun and enjoy the trip. And of course, the chef was amazing!
6. SAFETY & SECURITY We felt safe and secure in this expedition. In one of the short stops to replenish supplies in a fishing village, locals were warm, friendly and welcoming. Although the waves were a bit rough on the way to Coron, we didn’t feel we had anything to worry about but then, we are used to traveling by boat. On that note, we would recommend this expedition to adventurous couples and intrepid travelers who are eager to explore remote, secluded, unspoilt and off the tourist radar paradise islands. Expeditions are certainly not for everyone and this one is not cheap. You should be prepared to rough it and be offline for a few days but Isla Expeditions make the experience more luxurious and comfortable. And most importantly, leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but memories!
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Date of stay: February 2019Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
English ---> We are just coming back to an island expedition with my boyfriend but we would like to go again and again! All was perfect from the begining to the end :) The organisation was very good : each staf member was implicated to give us The perfect service. The boat is confortable and the base camp also ! You should try the "honey moon" bedroom is you are a couple <3 But you also should try to sleep directly on the beach : your bedroom will be the sky, stars and coconut palm!!! We ate delicious meals! Lunch were cook directly on the boat by a Chief (he is incredible because the kitchen is so small!) We could have our lunch on different island and our diner on the base camp ! Beach and snorkling just amazing !!!! The PARADISE is HERE !
Date of stay: February 2017Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
All the team was great with us, we had fun with the guide, we felt safe with the captain even during wavy see, we eat delicious meal with the cooker, Pinay was so kind and helpfull. We discovered many islands, amazing life under the see just snorkeling and what about the camp site, paradise!!!
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Date of stay: November 2016
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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