We spent just over two weeks in the Philippines and Borneo and had the most wonderful time. Our trip was so diverse from stunning beaches to breathtaking wildlife. We opted for both basic and luxury accommodation to even out the costs and it was so worth it! See all the details below!
Stop 1 - Bohol Island, Philippines
We kicked off our trip by heading to in Bohol (after landing in Cebu). After a long flight, a taxi ride and a ferry we were ready to get settled and have a good sleep.
- Staying local in Loboc, Philippines
We started our first day in Bohol with a paddleboarding adventure along the Loboc River. The river has really calm waters and lush green surroundings and it was just the perfect place to explore by paddleboard. After a peaceful stretch of paddling, we reached a few a waterfalls and we got off the boards to have a swim and also do some jumping in!
In the evening we decided to do the firefly paddleboarding tour. As the sun began to set, we returned to the river for a completely different kind of adventure. This was such a unique experience and something we don't think we'll ever get to do again. It was so dark on the river and as we paddled we began to see faint glowing lights coming from the trees along the riverbank. As we got further down the river we got to one particular tree that was just absolutely covered in fireflies and it was amazing! At the end of the tour we got off the boards and were transferred by bus back to our accommodation. It was a real highlight of our trip!
- Exploring the Chocolate Hills and Tarsier Sanctuary, Philippines
Our second full day in Bohol was all about nature and we got a "tricycle" (or tuk tuk) for the day. In the morning, we visited the famous Chocolate Hills passing the countryside as we drove including many paddy fields. These unique, cone-shaped hills stretch out across the landscape and really are nothing like we've ever seen before. We learned that during the dry season, the hills turn brown, which is why they’re called "Chocolate Hills." Next, our driver took us to the Tarsier Sanctuary. Tarsiers are tiny, nocturnal primates with huge eyes, and they’re native to this region. Seeing them up close was a really cool experience. Our driver also took us to Pangas Falls where lots of locals were swimming in the beautiful waters - and we got to have a swim as well! Then to end the day we were taken to Bohol Habitat Conservation Center home to butterflies, birds, and other native species. The center focuses on educating visitors about the island's rich biodiversity which was really interesting.
Stop 2 - Panglao Island, Philippines
For the next part of our trip, we headed to Panglao Island, which is connected to Bohol by a bridge. Panglao is famous for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. We spent the afternoon at Alona Beach, where we swam, snorkeled, and just relaxed on the sand.
The next day we set out early in the morning from Alona Beach, where local guides were waiting to take us on the tour. You get on an initial boat to then be transferred onto a smaller boat where you are then taken to a reef where we were lucky enough to see turtles and had a lovely time snorkelling! Seeing the turtles them up close in their natural habitat was a lovely experience. Our guide also pointed out other interesting marine life, like vibrant corals, schools of fish, and even a couple of starfish resting on the seabed.
Stop 3 - Coron, Philippines
After enjoying Bohol and Panglao, we flew to Coron which is known for its dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden lagoons, and world-class diving sites. The first night we stayed in Coron Town before heading to our main stop in the area. That evening, we went on a short hike up Mount Tapyas to watch the sunset. The view from the top was incredible – you could see the whole town of Coron and the surrounding islands and the sunset was just beautiful!
- Two Seasons Coron Island, Philippines
In the morning we set off on the 40-minute boat ride from Coron Town where we reached the private island we were staying on for the next three nights. When we arrived we were greated by the staff with a drink and were shown to our room.
We stayed in one of the Island Tip Bungalows, and the room was incredible. It was spacious, with large windows that gave us an amazing of the sea plus a private deck and our own private pool which felt like total luxury!
The resort has an amazing private beach with complimentary kayaks so we explored the surrounding waters. We also went snorkelling - the resort sits on a marine sanctuary so the coral reefs were really good!
On another we headed out on a private boat tour and visited some of the areas most most beautiful spots, including Kayangan Lake, known for its crystal-clear waters and stunning limestone cliffs. We also stopped off for lunch in one of the coves - it was just amazing! This was a real highlight!
Stop 4 - Sandakan, Borneo
After our time in the Philippines, we flew to Sandakan in Borneo, Malaysia. We checked into our hotel and then went to check out the local area and headed to the central market. This was a really lively waterfront market offering a wide variety of fresh seafood, local produce, and traditional snacks. It was so nice to get an authentic glimpse into the daily life and culture of Sandakan! Then that evening we headed to a local restaurant on the waterfront near our hotel and had some amazing food. The food in the Philippines is nice but can be fairly bland so it was so nice to get something delicious!
Stop 5 - Kinabatangan Wildlife Safari (3 days and 2 nights)
We were picked up from our hotel in Sandakan and headed straight to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Here we learnt about the rehabilitation effort done at the centre and got to see the orangutan feeding session which is done from the boardwalks. It was amazing to see them in a semi-wild environment as they practice skills needed for survival. It was a pretty special experience. Afterwards we visited the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Sun bears are the smallest bears in the world and it was lovely to learn more about these animals.
We then had lunch before we headed on a 2.5 hour journey by speedboat up the Kinabatangan River to the Sukau Rainforest Lodge. After getting settled in our room (ours was name after David Attenborough who stayed here during the filming of a documentary!) we went on an afternoon cruise down the river in search of Borneos wildlife! This was incredible and we spotted so many different monkeys including the proboscis monkey and the rhinoceros hornbill!
On our second day we went on another two river cruises to view even more wildlife as well as a guided walk along the lodges boardwalks. We also had a bit of leisure time where we could enjoy some time by the pool. Then that night we went on a night cruise which was nothing short of spectacular! It is absolutely pitch black and the guides dart their torches around to find the local wildlife - they found so may different types of birds and a baby crocodile! I honestly don't know how they found them!
On the final day we headed down the river back to Sandakan and we were so unbelievably lucky to spot a herd of pygmy elephants bathing in the river - there must have been at least 15 of them! It was just amazing! Then just to top it off - at a stop just before the end of our trip to a raised walkway we saw two orangutans up close in the wild - it just topped off such a spectacular trip! This made our tally 5/5 of the Borneo Big 5!
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