e found in the Philippines the perfect private island for Kite Surfing and also for a relaxed holiday on the beach, far away from the tourist crowd. The sun had yet to rise when our taxi driver dropped us off at the airport in Manila. Being the silly and curious people that we are, of course, we had a late night in the Philippines' capital the evening before. We wanted to see at least a little bit of Manila's nightlife while doing a stopover on our way to Coron, Palawan. We had dinner in the Black Bird restaurant and then headed to 71 Gramercy Kitchen rooftop, where we ended up having a few drinks with good music.
Palawan, the region where Bamboo Island is located in the southwestern Philippines, is a hidden piece of heaven on earth.
We made our way to Busuanga and from there we drove 45 minutes to Coron town, a small fishing village but not too appealing in its charms. Then we took a boat ride with a Bangka, and 2 hours later we got to our final destination: Bamboo Private Island.
Palawan, the region where Bamboo Island is located in the southwestern Philippines, is a hidden piece of heaven on earth. It was named “The Top Island in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards a few years back. And now I understand why. There, beautiful blue water mixes with emerald green mountains, rocky escarpments that appear to rise from the ocean, and small fishing villages along the islands. It is hard to believe that a few years back, the typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms in history, tore through this region, leaving 8,000 people dead or missing. The most famous destination in Palawan is El Nido. It has carved out a niche on the backpacker circuit and turned into a popular tourist destination. Bamboo Island, on the other hand, is a hidden paradise, and, for this reason, our choice for the Chinese New Year holidays.
We are in the middle of nowhere, paradise-style: a sea of high-definition azure stretching to the horizon. Happy to share this undiscovered treasure destination with our friends Tonio, who flew from Dresden, Germany; Kinez, from Jakarta, Indonesia, and the other five kitesurfers we met on the Island. Bamboo Private Island can either be entirely rented (14 people max) or booked individually during the windy season from November to March. And that was exactly the purpose of our trip: We were hoping for a lot of wind to come in the following days.
Bamboo is indeed a dream tropical heaven, and they are not kidding when they say “Private Island.” There has been nearly no boat traffic, and so much room to kitesurf safely. Unfortunately, the wind is not very consistent. But it gives us the chance to enjoy different activities such as snorkelling, paddleboarding, wakeboarding, and kayaking over to one of the nearby islands.
We could also have gone diving at Coron Bay, as it is considered the best spot in the world for shipwreck diving. The wrecks are from the Second World War, as the Japanese moved a fleet to the Coron Bay area during the war, which the Americans later sank. However, we never left the private island. After a few days in this beach paradise, life had become a lazy routine: eat (food was pretty good), kite surf (or other activities), chill out. Repeat.
The accommodation at the Bamboo Island is simple, but charming. Small-space designed bamboo huts with a breathtaking view of turquoise-blue waters. It’s a zero-carbon emission island, and operations are 100% solar-powered.
Life on the island revolves around the open-air central pavilion, located right on the beach and featuring a sunset lounge, a bar, and dining areas, all with great views of the surrounding waters, islands, and mountainscapes. The central pavilion is where all the guests hang out and dine. Nearly everyone staying at the Private Island during the wind season is there for the same reason: Kite Surfing, which adds a sense of shared purpose, and after one or two days on the island, we have the feeling that we are all part of a big family.
We spent three fantastic days at this lost paradise in the Philippines. On our way back home, we stop by Lake Kayangan and Lake Barracuda, Coron’s primary attractions. We hike up the limestone and go swimming in the unique waters of Lake Barracuda.
Practical Information
| Destination | Coron, Palawan, Philippines |
|---|---|
| Best time to visit | November to March (dry/windy season) for kitesurfing — consistent trade winds and clear skies. April to June for calmer conditions and excellent visibility for diving and snorkelling. Avoid July to October when typhoons can affect the region. |
| Getting there | Fly from Manila to Busuanga/Coron Airport (USU) — around 50 minutes by domestic flight with Air Swift or Cebu Pacific. From Coron town, a bangka boat takes around 1.5–2 hours to reach Bamboo Private Island. Arrange boat transfers from La Sirenetta pier in Coron. |
| Where to stay | Bamboo Private Island — a 100% solar-powered eco resort near Culion, 28km south of Coron, with seven thatched bamboo huts and an open-air central pavilion on a private white-sand beach. Can be booked per room during kitesurfing season or rented exclusively for up to 20 guests. For current booking information, contact Nanda via Instagram @nanda_haensel. |
| Currency | Philippine Peso (PHP). Bring cash — ATMs are unreliable in remote Palawan. |
| Language | Filipino (Tagalog) and English. English widely spoken throughout Palawan tourism. |
| Visa | Visa-free for most nationalities for stays up to 30 days, extendable on arrival. Check current requirements before travel. |
| Notes | Coron Bay is considered one of the world's best wreck diving destinations — Japanese warships sunk in WWII lie in 10–40m of water. Lake Kayangan and Lake Barracuda are unmissable day trips from Coron town. Kitesurfing season runs November to March — outside this window winds are unreliable. |
2 Comments
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Bruno
Great photos
Tonio
Couldn't agree more, great post! Thank you Nanda & Max for this amazing trip!