Low Tide, High Light: April in the Philippines

Philippines, April 2025

By Francisco Morais

October 2^nd, 2025

A Journey Through the Philippines

In April 2025, we traveled from Lisbon to Paris and onward to Manila, beginning a multi-leg journey across the Philippines. From Manila, we flew to Puerto Princesa and continued by van—an eight-hour ride north—to El Nido, where we spent two nights.

From El Nido, we joined a sea expedition bound for Coron. Along the way, we stayed on Linapacan Island and Rhodes Island, with stops at Cagdanao Island and Culion Island. After arriving in Coron, we spent three days exploring the area, including visits to Malcapuya Island and several lagoons.

Next, we flew to Cebu City and took a taxi to Moalboal, where we stayed two nights and dove among large schools of sardines and sea turtles. The final leg of the island journey was a boat ride to Panglao, where we relaxed on the beach.

From Cebu City, we flew back to Manila and spent three days in the capital before beginning our return across the Pacific: flying to Guam, then Honolulu, then San Francisco—finally arriving back in Lisbon.

For a deeper look into the journey—across islands, underwater scenes, and aerial views—check out the full video playlist on YouTube: Philippines – April 2025 by Francisco Morais Eight videos capturing the expedition from El Nido to Coron, Moalboal, Panglao, and beyond.

Low Tide, High Light: April in the Philippines

Lisbon-Paris-Manila

The journey began in airports and airspace—quiet anticipation before the islands.

El Nido, Palawan

El Nido is where limestone cliffs meet emerald waters. The town itself is modest, but the surrounding Bacuit Archipelago is cinematic—hidden lagoons, towering karsts, and translucent shallows. Two nights here felt like a prelude to something larger. We swam, wandered, and watched the light shift across the cliffs.

Expedition to Coron

We crossed the ocean by boat, staying on Linapacan and Rhodes Islands. Stops at Cagdanao and Culion—each island a pause, each reef a memory.

Between El Nido and Coron, we stayed on Linapacan and Rhodes—remote, quiet, and nearly untouched. Linapacan is known for having some of the clearest waters in the world. Rhodes was smaller, more intimate. These islands weren’t destinations—they were pauses. Places where time slowed and the ocean spoke louder than words.

Linapacan shoreline

Coron, Palawan

Coron is dramatic—sunken Japanese wrecks, volcanic lakes, and jagged cliffs. We spent three days exploring its underwater world and island edges. Malcapuya Island stood out for its powdery sand and quiet elegance. The lagoons felt sacred, like nature’s amphitheaters.

Moalboal & the Dive

From Cebu City to Moalboal by taxi. Two nights of diving—sardines in spirals, turtles in slow motion. The ocean felt alive, choreographed and endless.