Tao Philippines – five days in paradise with the lost boys

“The lost boys” is how Tao Philippine’s Boat Crew is called and they will actually make sure that you are not lost, I guarantee!

Instead, you will spend five days on Taos enlarged traditional bangka boat sailing either from El Nido to Coron or vice versa. And you will sleep in Tao’s base camps for four nights in iconic huts directly on pristine beaches. This should definitely be part of your itinerary in Palawan!

Read: Palawan in three weeks – the ultimate itinerary

Read: Best places in the Philippines you need to visit this year!

We heard about Tao Philippines the first time on the plane to Manila from a nice Filipino sitting next to us. And when we researched it further, it was just getting better and better. So quickly, it was decided: we are going on an Expedition! Luckily there were still a few spots left on the next one going from El Nido to Coron and so we directly booked online.

But let me start telling you what makes Tao Philippines special and different from other operators offering boat tours in this region!

Five reasons to go with Tao

1) Their cause and values

Tao is a non-profit company. Everything they earn with the tours is invested in local projects – building schools or small community halls for local villages, teaching farmers about organic farming and training and empowering women. Tao also cares a lot about the environment and all the food you will eat is grown on their local organic farms. And you can even get delicious-smelling organic soap and shampoo made from coconut and calamansi lime on their main island’s shop!

2) Their crew – “the lost boys”

Taos crew is completely Filipino, all trained on Taos main camp – and they will quickly not only be your guide or your cook – but your friends! Everyone there genuinely loves what they do and you will feel that!

3) Their food

Almost no one goes to the Philippines for its food. But if Tao would run the country, I believe this would change in a second! Your trip includes all meals and they are delicious and plenty! Everything is freshly prepared by the lost boys on board and you will quickly fall in love with their skills. They also take care of any special needs like vegetarian, vegan, or whatever you may need! And as stated earlier – it’s all organic and locally grown!

4) Their Tao style beach huts

Ever had this Robinson-Crusoe-Dream of you on a small island in the middle of nowhere with coconuts and pristine beaches, sleeping in bamboo huts and feeling the breeze of the sea? (If not, this is probably the moment where you should head to my luxury hotel reviews 😉 ) Well, then you will love Taos uniquely designed beach huts! They use only traditional materials (bamboo and nylon rope) and perfectly integrate them into the landscape. Actually, their design isn’t original Filipino style though – it was designed by a Swiss architect after the terrible Hainan Taifun destroyed many buildings and is optimized for heavy winds! Don’t expect luxury though – this is really simple huts with a mosquito net and mattresses. But some of the beach huts come with light and electricity – a power bank should be among the things to pack for the Philippines anyway!

5) Their fairness

There is no hidden cost in your trip like you might have it experienced on day tours in the Philippines or other countries: Tao will take you on guided snorkeling trips to amazing coral reefs, give you kayaks to go around small islands and provide you with free water and coffee/ginger tea 24/7. And jungle juice as a daily sundowner 😉 Of course, there is also no fee for the beaches or islands or similar! The only thing you have to pay for is soft drink cans and beer – and the prices are really close to what you would pay at the market! And they now installed an awesome system where you get a wristband that you can charge with credit and them simply pay with it anywhere. No handling of cash needed – the lost boys might even bring you a beer while you are floating next to the boat 🙂

So let’s get to how my trip with Tao actually was! (At this point you probably already figured that I genuinely loved it!)

My trip with Tao

Day 0

We met the evening before at the Tao office for a short briefing about our expedition. Jeff, our expedition leader, told us about what to expect and pack, where to meet the next day and which camps we plan on sleeping in. We already knew most of the info from their website but it was so cool to already meet the other participants and the crew – and there was the first jungle juice (a pineapple rum cocktail)! And come on, that letter with a map simply makes you get excited!

Day 1

At 7:30 the next morning it was time to finally see the boat that should be our second home for the next five days! We all met at the port and then it was time to “attack”! (As I didn’t film it you have to imagine Jeff yelling it and moving his hand forward as if being a pirate every time we did go to an island or eating or snorkeling or doing something else that was awesome – so essentially all the time!)

The first day we spent driving around beautiful islands close to El Nido, chilling on deserted beaches and snorkeling (snorkeling gear is provided and you are guided by the lost boys). We even saw a turtle! El Nido does have some of the most instagrammable places on earth for sure!

Read: The ultimate Instagram travel bucket list – most instaworthy places around the world

In the evening we went to Taos main camp where everyone working for Tao is trained and where lots of their food is grown! After a communal shower (LOTS of fun, but no pics to not make any of the others uncomfortable) you even get a free 1h massage by their professionally trained masseuses. And while we already thought the lunch on board was awesome, we were stunned to be served a seven-course dinner – sooooo tasty!

After some more jungle juice, it was time to hit the huts – you’ll get your personal set of pillowcases and blankets as well as a mosquito net that will be marked with your name and with this your bed is set up in each camp with the help of the lost boys!

Day 2

After an awesome breakfast with Tao’s oven baked coconut bread we went on to Linapacan Islands – an area that is said to even top the Maldives in terms of water clarity! And I have to say – it’s probably true!

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Hey there – hope you are enjoying your weekend! Did you know that the water of Linapacan were rated to be even clearer than the water on the Maldives? I couldn't really imagine that until I saw it myself! ❤ Tomorrow i will go diving here in Coron and i am super excited to see the shipwrecks! What was your favorite dive/snorkel spot so far? ::: 🇩🇪 Hallo ihr Lieben – wie ist euer Wochenende bisher? Wusstet ihr, dass das Meet bei Linapacan als noch klarer bewertet wurde als das der Malediven? Ich konnte mir das nicht vorstellen, bevor ich es selbst gesehen hatte! ❤ Morgen geht's für mich mal wieder tauchen – freue mich schon super darauf, die Schiffswracks hier zu erkunden! Was war euer schönster Ort zum Tauchen oder Schorcheln bisher? . . . . . #snorkeling #linapacan #palawan #philippines #itsmorefuninthephilippines #underwater #splitpic #gopro #goprohero6 #hero6 #diving #underwaterphotography #taophilippines #coralreef #adventuregirl #mermaid #sheisnotlost #womenwhoexplore #fernweh #reiselust #girlgetters #travelbloggeres #femaletraveller #travelwoman #wanderlust_tribe #girlvsglobe #shetravelz #sheexplores #girlsjustwannatravel #travelgirlsgo

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We spent most of the day chilling at beaches and snorkeling until we ended on our second base camp on Golden Island – and this evening we had the most amazing sunset in the whole Philippines (that’s why they call it this name!). To top it off, it was time for a beach bonfire!

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The sunset on our second night with Tao (@taophilippines) on Linapacan Islands was just breathtaking! ➡ Swipe right to see more about the awesome scenery! 🏝🌅 ::: A trip with the lost boys (that's what the crew of Tao is called) is for sure an adventure you will never forget. Five days on a boat and four nights on remote islands with an awesome bunch of people is something pretty memorable.😊 ::: And if you are not yet fully sure that you want to do this as well: Tao is also an awesome company that does amazing work for the local communities, builds schools and educates and empowers women. And all the delicious food on your trip comes from Taos own organic farms – well, that's what I call a deal! ::: #taophilippines #linapacan #palawan #philippines #itsmorefuninthephilippines #beachgirl #sunset #amazingsunset #beautifuldestinations #speechlessplaces #wonderfulplaces #sheisnotlost #wearetravelgirls #darlingescapes #ladiesgoneglobal #femmetravel #dametraveler #womenwhoexplore #shetravelz #girlsabroad #girlsjustwannatravel #sheexplores #letsgoeverywhere #tlpicks #pinktrotters #globelletravels #NomadGirls #travelstoke #travelblogger

A post shared by 𝓢𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓱 | 𝓛𝓾𝔁𝓾𝓻𝔂 𝓣𝓻𝓪𝓿𝓮𝓵 𝓑𝓵𝓸𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻💎 (@fernwehsarah) on Jun 1, 2018 at 8:49am PDT

Unfortunately, Golden Island has no fresh water source so showering is more rinsing with a small bucket of water – helps you to realize that water is NOT a commodity for everyone on this planet but rather a luxury! And Tao tells you before that this is no luxury cruise 😉

Day 3

Initially, we planned to spend the third night in Culion island, but then we simply hopped around Linapacan and stayed in a completely new camp of Tao. This even came with a proper shower and unlimited water! 🙂

Day 4

This time we were heading towards Culion island. Of course, we didn’t get tired to stop at small deserted beaches, snorkeling and using the kayaks! Plus, there was a spot for cliff jumping if you aren’t a coward like me! 😁

There is one thing though that wasn’t for me on this day and I decided that I want to tell you anyway: The morning we loaded one of Tao’s pigs (they let the local farmers raise them organically on the last island) on board and this pig was actually slaughtered on board and prepared for dinner the evening.

I know it is a perfectly normal thing and those pigs had a much better life than 99% of pigs we eat – but I really couldn’t watch it happen and didn’t eat the pig’s meat. Seeing it on the ship is still stuck in my head – but that’s my personal problem. I just think that some vegetarians or vegans should know about that before the trip and that’s why I am telling you this!

But back to positive things: As Culion Island base camp is at a river with brackish water Tao actually build a small swimming pool at the property!

I’ll leave it up to your imagination to think about last evenings pool party with jungle juice and 24 people in this pool. According to Jeff, we broke the record on jungle juice purchases this night;-)

Day 5

The last day of our expedition came way too early! After waking up, everyone was surprisingly fit after the evening before and so we quickly went back on board – with a perfectly instagrammable breakfast- oats with lots of fruit, freshly served in a coconut!

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Ready to feed an army…. Repost @tripcookbook: Breakfast for champions @taophilippines . @the.philippines @gophilippines @comeseephilippines @topdestinationsph @philippine.islands @pinoybagabonds . #ig_masterpiece #boattrip #sailing #winter2017 #traveltheworld #palawan #palawanislands #explorers #travellingfamily #honeymoon #honeymoongoals #thisisheaven #freshfruits #fruitsalad #earthpix #taoexpedition #taoexperience #taofarm #taokantina #palawan #philippines #islandvibes #campngeyngey

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Next stop was Camp Ngey-Ngey – Taos island getaway. If you don’t want to do the five-day expedition, you can still experience a little bit of Tao with either an island stay or a combo or island stay + three-day expedition! And the island is stunning! It was once a private island resort but then abandoned by the Swiss owner and was given to Tao by the Philippine Government as a long term lease. You can go snorkeling, kayaking or just chill on the beach – just as you wish!

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Hey lovelies – How are you doing? What are your plans for the weekend? Anyone at the beach splashing around water? 🤗 ::: Hallo ihr Lieben – wie geht's euch? Was machen die Pläne fürs Wochenende? Irgendjemand am Planschen an einem Strand? Wie findet ihr es, wenn ich immer zweisprachig poste – sinnvoll oder nicht? ::: #philippines #itsmorefuninthephilippines #palawan #beach #beachgirl #sheisnotlost #wearetravelgirls #femmetravel #travelgirlsgo #girlaroundtheworld #shetravelz #shetravels #girlsabroad #girlsjustwannatravel #sheexplores #letsgoeverywhere #lovetotravel #travellikeagirl #NomadGirls #roamingwomen #girlsmeetglobe #girldiscoverers #wheretofindme #germanblogger #reisen #reiselust #fernweh #girlgetters #femaletraveller #wanderlust_tribe

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We felt like we had to leave the island way too quick – but we still had one more spot to see before heading to Coron: snorkeling at one of the Japanese shipwrecks of WWII! Even if you plan on diving in Coron (highly recommended!) this will amaze you!

So I hope I gave you enough reasons to understand why this was one of the most amazing experiences in our whole trip around the world! Visit Tao’s website to find out more and search for available dates!

And if you are looking for other amazing travel destinations in the Philippines, I’ve got you covered as well!

• Bohol in one day – the ultimate itinerary!
• Instaworthy Kawasan Falls – how to make the most of your visit
• The Secret Waterfalls Of Siquijor – A Complete Guide!

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Hey guys – I am back from my expedition with @taophilippines and it was amazing! ❤When was the last time that you were offline for four days? 🤗 ::: Gonna sort through all the pics on the GoPro now and I will also write a blog post about this experience soon! 😘 . . . . . #tao #expedition #philippines #taophilippines #itsmorefuninthephilippines #coron #cruise #boattrip #travelgirlsgo #girlaroundtheworld #shetravelz #SeeTheWorldWithMe #pinktrotters #damestravel #girlsthatwander #shetravels #girlsabroad #girlsjustwannatravel #traveltagged #citizenfemme #globelletravels #sheexplores #letsgoeverywhere #lovetotravel #travellikeagirl #TravelingLady #NomadGirls #girlswhowander #fernweh #reiselust

A post shared by 𝓢𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓱 | 𝓛𝓾𝔁𝓾𝓻𝔂 𝓣𝓻𝓪𝓿𝓮𝓵 𝓑𝓵𝓸𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻💎 (@fernwehsarah) on May 31, 2018 at 9:49am PDT

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