Private vs pre-made tours in The Philippines

Island-hopping is a highlight of any Philippines trip. But the way you do it makes a huge difference:

Shared Boat Tours: Cheap & Social

These are the standard “Tour A, Tour B, Tour C…” packages you’ll see everywhere.

You pay about $20–35 USD per person, and hop on a boat with 10–25 other travellers.

They’re easy, affordable, and a good option if you’re on a budget or travelling solo. Lunch and pick-up are usually included, so there’s no planning needed.

The flip side? Everyone leaves at the same time (~9 am), so you end up in a crowd at every stop. You also don’t get to decide where to go or how long to stay.

Pros

✅ Cheapest way to see the highlights.

✅ Great for meeting other travellers.

✅ Zero planning, just book and show up.

Cons

🚫 Big crowds at each stop.

🚫 Big groups, less personal.

🚫 Fixed itineraries, no flexibility.

Private Boat Tours: Flexible & Worth It

This is our pick!

Renting your own boat gives you full control of the day. You can leave earlier (7:30–8:00 am), tweak the route, and spend longer in the spots you love.

For example, we paid around $120–150 USD total for a private boat in Coron. Split between four people it worked out to just $30 each, including lunch!

That’s not much more than a shared tour, but the experience is on another level.

One of our best decisions was asking to visit Twin Lagoon in Coron later in the day.

By the time we arrived, most group tours had gone, and we had it almost to ourselves. That wouldn’t have been possible on a shared itinerary.

Pros

✅ Leave earlier and beat the crowds.

✅ Choose your own stops and timing.

✅ Great value if you’re travelling in a group.

✅ More intimate, less rushed.

Cons

🚫 More expensive if you’re alone or a couple.

🚫 You’ll need to chat with the operator to confirm the itinerary and what’s included.

🚫 Entrance fees are often separate, bring cash.

🤑 Money-Saving Hack: Book in town, not online

We put affiliate links on our itineraries for those of you who like everything pre-organised and pre-paid, but you will get better deals in town.

Online sites like Viator or Get Your Guide add a markup.

You’ll find plenty of providers with similar prices in town, so you shouldn't get ripped off! We've always done this without issues.