N.B. Please note, this is a rough guide to the week. We will adapt the week carefully for each individual and the weather conditions. All swim activities are planned with safety as the paramount concern. Swim distances are adaptable and because of our extensive boat and safety cover we can deal with a mixture of abilities on this tour. 

SATURDAY 

A representative will meet you at Busuanga airport and take you to the resort. You can settle into your room, and meet your fellow guests and guides for a welcome and briefing. Our first swim will be a gentle coastal swim along El Rio's ‘House Reef’, getting ourselves used to our new surroundings and finding our feet in the water (1-2km).  This will be an easy swim so that the guides can get an idea of everyone’s swimming ability and (if you wish) film you swimming above and below the water so that we can provide coaching advice during the week.

SUNDAY 

This morning we head out for our first swim, between the stunning islets in Maricaban bay, before stopping for lunch on one of the beautiful beaches in the area. In the afternoon, we will swim our first circumnavigation (1-1.5km) taking in some of the incredible reefs around the shoreline, before heading back to the resort for sundowners and dinner.

MONDAY - DUGONG DISCOVERY & DIMIPAC ISLAND

Today will be a full day out, as we venture out to to best place in the world to swim with Dugongs. Dugongs are gentle marine mammals, closely related to the manatee. Our local boat partners were the first operators in the Philippines to start the eco tourism programme for Dugongs (in 1998) and will help us navigate this incredible experience. During the day we will visit several feeding grounds for this gentle ocean creatures, as well as a swim along the coastline of Dimipac Island.

tuesday - MARINE SANCTUARY & iNTER ISLAND SWIM

Today we head out on the boats to Dimayaka Marine Sanctuary for a longer swim take in some of the incredible reefs in this area. After lunch, we attempt an inter island swim between Dimayaka and Lang Aw before heading back to the resort for a well deserved dinner.

WEDNESDAY - CORON lakeS & siete pecados marine park

Today we take a trip to Coron Island, south of Busuanga, to visit and swim in one of the islands spectacular lakes. Nestled within dramatic limestone cliffs, this is a truly unique swimming experience, with cliffs towering upwards and dropping away beneath you underwater.  In the afternoon, we head to Siete Pecados Marine Park, a spectacular part of the world with a vast array of marine life - keep an eye out for turtles.

thursday - CABILAUAN 

Our last full day of swimming, and what a day we have planned! Today we will head across to Cabilauan Island, an island rarely visited on the tourist trail and ideal for longer coastal swims. We will attempt a longer 3-3.5km swim in the morning, before stopping for lunch. In the afternoon, enjoy our last circumnavigation around Lauit Island (1.5km) before returning back to base for our final dinner together.

FRIDAY

Your guides will wake you up early and take you down to the beach for a sunrise swim before a leisurely breakfast and departures.        

El Rio y Mar - getting there 

El Rio y Mar Resort is nestled on the northern coast of Busuanga Island, part of the beautiful Calamian Islands in Palawan, Philippines. The resort is located in a secluded cove, and offers a peaceful escape with stunning ocean views, private beachfront, and direct access to nature.

El Rio y Mar Resort Brgy. San Jose, Coron, Busuanga, Palawan 5316, Philippines

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How to Get There

The easiest way to get to El Rio y Mar is by flying into Busuanga Airport (also known as Francisco B. Reyes Airport.

Most international flights arrive in Manila (Ninoy Aquino International Airport). From Manila, you’ll need to take a domestic flight to Busuanga, which takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Note: If your international flight lands in the evening, you may need to spend the night in Manila before continuing your journey the next morning. Make sure to check whether your airline or booking agent offers overnight hotel stays and airport transfers—Philippine Airlines sometimes provides this as a complimentary service.

Important: Domestic and international flights operate from different terminals in Manila, so make sure to allow enough time between connections and double-check your terminal information. We recommend booking your journey all the way through to your final destination via your chosen airline, to help avoid any issues with missed or delayed connections.

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Transfer to the Resort – Included in Your Package

Once you land at Busuanga Airport, the El Rio y Mar team will greet you. Your journey continues as follows:

• Van transfer from the airport to the nearby San Jose pier (approx. 20–30 minutes)

• Boat transfer from San Jose to the resort’s private jetty (approx. 15–20 minutes)

These transfers are included in your booking, but we kindly ask that you send us your flight details in advance so we can arrange everything for you smoothly.

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Need Help With Travel Arrangements?

If you’d like any assistance with planning your journey, feel free to contact us:

📧 sarah@swimquest.uk.com
📞 +44 7418 613871

We’re happy to help make your arrival as stress-free as possible.

WHAT TO PACK

In addition to your everyday clothing and personal travel items, we would also recommend packing:

• At least two swimming costumes
• Two pairs of swim goggles
• Swim ear plugs if you are used to wearing them
• Tow float (required) - if you haven’t got one yet, you can purchase from our online shop here
• Rash vest (optional, but great for sun protection) - available from our online shop here
• A lightweight swim towel (although the resort does provide towels if you are short on space)
• Sandals, aqua shoes or flip flops which you would be happy to get wet if necessary
• There is usually no need to bring warmer clothes for evenings, but a long sleeved garment can come in handy on windy evenings
• Suncream, sunhat and sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• Comfortable sportswear (optional - running / stretching / yoga)

ENTRY REGULATIONS

VACCINATIONS

There are currently no essential vaccination requirements for The Philippines, however we advise you to check this information eight weeks before you travel. Visit your health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre on the TravelHealthPro website and by NHS (Scotland) on the fitfortravel website. Useful information and advice about healthcare abroad is also available on the NHS Choices website. It is also advisable to check that you have up to date tetanus and polio. UK health authorities have classified the Philippines as having a risk of Zika virus transmission. For information and advice about the risks associated with Zika virus, visit the National Travel Health Network and Centre website. Mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis (JE) and chikungunya virus occur all year round. There were increased levels of dengue cases in 2016. There’s a heightened risk of dengue fever during the rainy season (June to October). You should take appropriate precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

INSURANCE

As a SwimQuest guest, you are required to have in place travel insurance that covers you for all activities you will be taking part in during your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully covered for these activities. The availability of medical care varies across the Philippines, and may not meet the standards of care in the UK. Although adequate in major cities, medical care is limited in more remote areas. Even some of the more popular tourist destinations have limited and basic medical provisions. This may result in a delay when seeking urgent medical attention in an emergency. Private hospital treatment can be too expensive for many people, eg the daily cost in intensive care units can be more than £1,000 per day. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 911 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Whatever travel policy you decide on, you will need to bring a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance to the safety briefing at the start of your SwimQuest holiday. Your swim Guides will need to take a note of your insurer, policy number and the number to call in case of an emergency claim.

CLIMATE & ATMOSPHERE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Busuanga, located in the northern region of Palawan, experiences two distinct seasons typical of the Philippines:

• Dry Season: December to May

• Wet Season: June to November

The dry season is the most popular time to visit, bringing warm temperatures, sunny days, moderate seas, and light breezes. The wet season, while more humid, often features short-lived rain showers and calm, glassy clear seas perfect for swims.

• Coolest Month: January

• Hottest Month: May

• Sea Temperatures: Typically range from 26–30°C year-round

Evenings are usually warm, and there's no need for heavy clothing. However, it’s a good idea to pack a light long-sleeved layer for cooler evenings or occasional rain showers, particularly during boat rides or breezy nights.

READY TO BOOK?

We’re excited about meeting you on tour. To book your trip, simply click 'Book Now' for your chosen trip below. A deposit of 30% is required to secure your place, and the final payment is due 10 weeks prior to departure. Payments can be made by debit/credit card or by bank transfer. If you are not yet ready to book and require more information, please click enquire. Once you have complete the form, Sarah (our bookings co-ordinator) will be in touch to help you with any additional requirements.

PHILIPPINES |  6-12 JUNE 2026  | BOOK NOW | ENQUIRE

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In booking with us, you accept our terms and conditions, which can be found here. If at any point you have any questions, feel free to contact us:

• Sarah Broadley | +44 7917 033670 | sarah@swimquest.uk.com
• Charlie Beere | +44 7563 389238 | charlotte@swimquest.uk.com
• Alice Todd | +44 7825 301443 | alice@swimquest.uk.com

Travel Insurance

As a SwimQuest guest, you are required to have in place travel insurance that covers you for all activities you will be taking part in during your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully covered for these activities. Whatever travel policy you decide on, you will need to bring a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance to the safety briefing at the start of your SwimQuest holiday. Your swim Guides will need to take a note of your insurer, policy number and the number to call in case of an emergency claim. Please note, if you are a UK resident and eligible for free health cover via the NHS, you do not need to take our a travel insurance policy for our UK based trips. You may still wish to take out insurance to cover you for events such as trip cancellation, luggage and personal liability. If you are travelling from the US or another country, we suggest you use a travel insurance comparison site based in your own country in order to decide on a suitable policy. You can find more information on our Insurance page. Columbus Direct offers three levels of cover Bronze, Silver and Gold, with differing levels of emergency medical, cancellation and baggage so you can choose the cover to suit your needs. All levels of cover include over 150 sports and activities covered as standard including open water swimming within 12 miles of shore (you will not be swimming more than 12 miles away from the shore on SwimQuest Holidays). You will also benefit from free airport lounge access if your flight is delayed for 1hr or more*. Optional cover is available including Gadget, Winter Sports and Cruise, along with cover for many pre-existing medical conditions subject to online screening.  Columbus Direct offer single trip cover up to 85 years old and annual multi trip cover up to 74 years old. *The policyholder can register both themselves and up to four additional travelling companions for Columbus Direct’s Airport Delay service. They will then be eligible to receive free airport lounge access in the event a delay of one or more hours is announced for their flight. View terms and conditions here