Onok Island
Onok Island
4.5
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Duration: More than 3 hours
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4.5
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Rima M
7 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
One of our best times spent in the Philippines. Crystal clear water, corals and pretty fish, with a little luck you can see turtles. The island is just as wonderful. A magical place that stands out!
Written 27 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl P
Davao City, Philippines146 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
To be honest, I just only heard about Onok Island five (5) months ago from a stranger. And with such curiosity and the nomadic soul within me, I’ve scoured the World Wide Web (internet) on information about Onok Island. And with so much luck, I’ve met a friend who also has a friend that resides in the town of Balabac Island, where Onok Island can be found.
After 5 months, I packed my things and headed to the town of Balabac, Palawan with excitement! And finally, I stepped barefoot on the fine white powdery sand of Onok Island. As I laid my eyes on the island, enjoyed the welcome swims & whirling of endemic sea turtles, and witnessing an extraordinary moment of a lifetime when a hundred year old green sea turtle lays hundred of eggs at midnight on October 8, 2015 (I’ve cried out of happiness) , and mesmerized by the colourful and lovely sunrise and sunset, until now that I’m back home I'm still having a hard time picking a right & perfect words to describe ONOK ISLAND. SPLENDOR is UNDERRATED.
3 days and 2 nights in Onok Island is not enough to satisfy yourself and to enjoy the company of the Onok Boys (caretakers of the island) and our good host Ms Maureen Astami, as she is serving yummy and delicious meals. Onok is a small island but you will never run out of things to do. There’s a guesthouse for the accommodation but you can bring your own tent and you have to bring your own food and water. There is a generator set for the power supply which runs from 6pm-6am, so don’t worry you can charge your camera if you’ll run out with your battery life.
Tips, you can bring can goods and exchange fresh catch fish to the caretakers.
Things to do in ONOK:
1. Swimming all by yourself or with dozens of endemic sea turtles (pawikan)
2. Snorkeling (huge corals in different shapes and there’s big round table corals and various fishes) Nemo and Dori will definitely entertain you. And giant clamps will lure you also.
3. Sun bathing
4. Play with the baby sea turtles (caretakers put the baby sea turtles in the cage to ensure that they will survive to live by their own.
5. Bonfire at night with a bottle of wine, beers or just a fresh coconut juice and be friends with the Onok boys heade by Kuya Benjie!
6. Enjoy the constellation of starts, look for Polaris, Orions belt and many more.
7. Lay in the hammock with a cup of tea (night time)
8. Fishing with the Onok boys
9. Collect drift woods and do clean up to help ensure the cleanliness of the island and protect the breeding place of sea turtles.
10. If you’re lucky enough. Get up close and personal with mother sea turtles as they lay hundred eggs
11. Of course, don’t forget the pictorial session. You must have to capture almost everything, especially the sunrise and sunset.
12. And there’s any more, you just have to discover it by your own. After all, you’re a cast away in the island.
13. Lastly, don’t litter and help preserve and protect the island.
Ok, here's some information where this island hides and how to get there.
ONOK ISLAND is in the town of Balabac, in the southern part of Palawan. It is privately owned by Mayor Shuaib Astami, the town mayor. As it is a private property you have to ask permission from the ASTAMI Family that you are interested to visit Onok Island. You have to send a formal letter to the mayor’s office requesting entry to Onok island. You can try to contact the following individuals: Ms Lorna at 0917-553-2845 or Ms Fatima at 0921-777-6645. But my contact person is Mrs. Maureen Astami, the daughter in-law of the town mayor. You can also ask me details on how to get in touch with Mrs. Maureen Astami (just message me) and I will try to connect you with Ate Maureen Astami
MY ITINERARY:
Davao City-Cebu City (airplane),
Cebu City-Puerto Princesa City (airplane)
Puerto Princesa City –RioTuba ( bus or shuttle van @ San Jose terminal)
* Bus travel time : 7-8 hours
*Shuttle Van: 6-7 hours
*You should be in Marabahay Pier, Riotuba at 9:00 AM because, the passenger boat have its first come-first serve policy- no reservation. The boat leaves at 11:30 am or 12 noon once the coastguard gives the clearance. ( We will left by the boat as we arrived at the pier on Oct 5, 2015 at 11:00 AM- so we were stranded for 1 night in Riotuba- additional expenses)
Riotuba-Balabac ( boat- 4-5 hours travel)
Balabac to Onok (smaller boat – 1 hour travel)
BUDGET
Bus from Puerto Princesa terminal to Riotuba terminal- Php 350.00- 400.00 and vice versa
RioTuba terminal to Pier – Php 25.00-30.00 and vice versa
RioTuba-Balabac – Php 350.00 and vice versa
Balabac-Onok Island ( Boat rental is Php 5,000.00- Php 6,000.00 rountrip included gasoline)
• But if you will go to another island, you have to pay another for gasoline.
• You also have to give tips for the boatman as they are not asking for payment.
FOODs and ACCOMMODATION
• You can bring tent (free)
• You bring your own food and you can cook your own through firewood. If you will let the caretakers cook for you and if you will use their cooking stove. , of course you have to pay them (humanitarian consideration)
• You have to conserve water (using for bathing and brushing teeth) as the water supply comes from rainfall. (Be considerate especially if it is summer time)
• Bring your own drinking water. And bring beers if your drink
• There are rooms to be used but you have to tidy up coz the place is not a commercial area, treat it as your own place. But it is more cool and awesome if you have tents .
Stay there for 3-5 days, it is worth the money and time. I'm lucky during my stay from Oct 6-10, 2015 because there's no rain and the sea is calm. no waves, no rain and no typhoon. Best time to visit is from March -October.
ENJOY YOUR ONOK ISLAND ADVENTURE!
After 5 months, I packed my things and headed to the town of Balabac, Palawan with excitement! And finally, I stepped barefoot on the fine white powdery sand of Onok Island. As I laid my eyes on the island, enjoyed the welcome swims & whirling of endemic sea turtles, and witnessing an extraordinary moment of a lifetime when a hundred year old green sea turtle lays hundred of eggs at midnight on October 8, 2015 (I’ve cried out of happiness) , and mesmerized by the colourful and lovely sunrise and sunset, until now that I’m back home I'm still having a hard time picking a right & perfect words to describe ONOK ISLAND. SPLENDOR is UNDERRATED.
3 days and 2 nights in Onok Island is not enough to satisfy yourself and to enjoy the company of the Onok Boys (caretakers of the island) and our good host Ms Maureen Astami, as she is serving yummy and delicious meals. Onok is a small island but you will never run out of things to do. There’s a guesthouse for the accommodation but you can bring your own tent and you have to bring your own food and water. There is a generator set for the power supply which runs from 6pm-6am, so don’t worry you can charge your camera if you’ll run out with your battery life.
Tips, you can bring can goods and exchange fresh catch fish to the caretakers.
Things to do in ONOK:
1. Swimming all by yourself or with dozens of endemic sea turtles (pawikan)
2. Snorkeling (huge corals in different shapes and there’s big round table corals and various fishes) Nemo and Dori will definitely entertain you. And giant clamps will lure you also.
3. Sun bathing
4. Play with the baby sea turtles (caretakers put the baby sea turtles in the cage to ensure that they will survive to live by their own.
5. Bonfire at night with a bottle of wine, beers or just a fresh coconut juice and be friends with the Onok boys heade by Kuya Benjie!
6. Enjoy the constellation of starts, look for Polaris, Orions belt and many more.
7. Lay in the hammock with a cup of tea (night time)
8. Fishing with the Onok boys
9. Collect drift woods and do clean up to help ensure the cleanliness of the island and protect the breeding place of sea turtles.
10. If you’re lucky enough. Get up close and personal with mother sea turtles as they lay hundred eggs
11. Of course, don’t forget the pictorial session. You must have to capture almost everything, especially the sunrise and sunset.
12. And there’s any more, you just have to discover it by your own. After all, you’re a cast away in the island.
13. Lastly, don’t litter and help preserve and protect the island.
Ok, here's some information where this island hides and how to get there.
ONOK ISLAND is in the town of Balabac, in the southern part of Palawan. It is privately owned by Mayor Shuaib Astami, the town mayor. As it is a private property you have to ask permission from the ASTAMI Family that you are interested to visit Onok Island. You have to send a formal letter to the mayor’s office requesting entry to Onok island. You can try to contact the following individuals: Ms Lorna at 0917-553-2845 or Ms Fatima at 0921-777-6645. But my contact person is Mrs. Maureen Astami, the daughter in-law of the town mayor. You can also ask me details on how to get in touch with Mrs. Maureen Astami (just message me) and I will try to connect you with Ate Maureen Astami
MY ITINERARY:
Davao City-Cebu City (airplane),
Cebu City-Puerto Princesa City (airplane)
Puerto Princesa City –RioTuba ( bus or shuttle van @ San Jose terminal)
* Bus travel time : 7-8 hours
*Shuttle Van: 6-7 hours
*You should be in Marabahay Pier, Riotuba at 9:00 AM because, the passenger boat have its first come-first serve policy- no reservation. The boat leaves at 11:30 am or 12 noon once the coastguard gives the clearance. ( We will left by the boat as we arrived at the pier on Oct 5, 2015 at 11:00 AM- so we were stranded for 1 night in Riotuba- additional expenses)
Riotuba-Balabac ( boat- 4-5 hours travel)
Balabac to Onok (smaller boat – 1 hour travel)
BUDGET
Bus from Puerto Princesa terminal to Riotuba terminal- Php 350.00- 400.00 and vice versa
RioTuba terminal to Pier – Php 25.00-30.00 and vice versa
RioTuba-Balabac – Php 350.00 and vice versa
Balabac-Onok Island ( Boat rental is Php 5,000.00- Php 6,000.00 rountrip included gasoline)
• But if you will go to another island, you have to pay another for gasoline.
• You also have to give tips for the boatman as they are not asking for payment.
FOODs and ACCOMMODATION
• You can bring tent (free)
• You bring your own food and you can cook your own through firewood. If you will let the caretakers cook for you and if you will use their cooking stove. , of course you have to pay them (humanitarian consideration)
• You have to conserve water (using for bathing and brushing teeth) as the water supply comes from rainfall. (Be considerate especially if it is summer time)
• Bring your own drinking water. And bring beers if your drink
• There are rooms to be used but you have to tidy up coz the place is not a commercial area, treat it as your own place. But it is more cool and awesome if you have tents .
Stay there for 3-5 days, it is worth the money and time. I'm lucky during my stay from Oct 6-10, 2015 because there's no rain and the sea is calm. no waves, no rain and no typhoon. Best time to visit is from March -October.
ENJOY YOUR ONOK ISLAND ADVENTURE!
Written 11 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl P
Davao City, Philippines146 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
I will never get tired of getting back to Onuk Island everytime I have a chance to do it. It will give you the best feeling you always wanted to have. If you are chasing a lone sea turtle in Port Barton, In Onuk Island, you will never chase them, they will swim with you, if you are lucky enough you will see them lay dozens of eggs just around the corner.
To all travelers out there, Onuk Island is now open for tourists, you will no longer have a hard time looking for people to connect with you to the owners. The family that owns Onuk island decided to open it for travelers, tourists. They are now COMMERCIALIZED, though they just started to open it for everyone 3 weeks ago, it is not for free, it has corresponding payments for the maintenance. They are now offering packages.
Here's the details :)
The booking office is located at Frankie's Restaurant, Brooke's Point, Palawan.
You can contact Mr. Ronald Astami and Mrs. Maureen Astami for bookings and details. You may contact them at their cell phone number +639151904089 or +639059469598. Or you can search Maureen Astami in her facebook account.
Please note that the amenities are basic since they just open it 3 weeks ago but I assure you, you won't be looking for a luxurious amenities because just being there in Onuk and enjoy the island priceless.
P.S. I am going back to Balabac very soon because there are more islands to discover :)
P.S.S. If you visit Onuk, please be reminded to keep the place safe and clean. let us protect the place while we enjoy it so it will lasts forever for the next generations to see :)
Have fun folks :)
Che :)
To all travelers out there, Onuk Island is now open for tourists, you will no longer have a hard time looking for people to connect with you to the owners. The family that owns Onuk island decided to open it for travelers, tourists. They are now COMMERCIALIZED, though they just started to open it for everyone 3 weeks ago, it is not for free, it has corresponding payments for the maintenance. They are now offering packages.
Here's the details :)
The booking office is located at Frankie's Restaurant, Brooke's Point, Palawan.
You can contact Mr. Ronald Astami and Mrs. Maureen Astami for bookings and details. You may contact them at their cell phone number +639151904089 or +639059469598. Or you can search Maureen Astami in her facebook account.
Please note that the amenities are basic since they just open it 3 weeks ago but I assure you, you won't be looking for a luxurious amenities because just being there in Onuk and enjoy the island priceless.
P.S. I am going back to Balabac very soon because there are more islands to discover :)
P.S.S. If you visit Onuk, please be reminded to keep the place safe and clean. let us protect the place while we enjoy it so it will lasts forever for the next generations to see :)
Have fun folks :)
Che :)
Written 1 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
xscuseme
Manila, Philippines2 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
Clean the island! There are sooo many caretakers but the place is sooo dirty. Hope they clean it soon
Written 20 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roy S
129 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
Me and my friends visited "Onuk Island" last August: with the help of some locals, we're able to secure a permit to visit the Island.
NOTE: you just can't visit the island without a permission as this is a private Island.
During our visit, we're the only tourist exploring this beyond earth island. White sand, turquoise water, stunning corals and a bale of turtles, these will be your prize awaiting for you in the island.
NOTE: you just can't visit the island without a permission as this is a private Island.
During our visit, we're the only tourist exploring this beyond earth island. White sand, turquoise water, stunning corals and a bale of turtles, these will be your prize awaiting for you in the island.
Written 10 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thorek C
Pasay, Philippines683 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
We were there in July 2015 when Balabac was still unnoticed to the public eye, especially Onuk Island (Roughton Island). It made headline when Sir George Tapan's photo won an award in the National Geographic. I could still clearly picture the turquiose water, the emerald - jade color of the sea perfectly play contrast on the dark clouds from a far.
Secure a permit at the town proper when visiting the island since it is privately owned.
Secure a permit at the town proper when visiting the island since it is privately owned.
Written 9 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnPaul520
New York City, NY15 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
Onuk Island is by far the best Island I have been to. I have been to Greece, Spain, Italy, South America, Carribean, all over SE Asia and nothing compares. I went with my family and friends and He also went to the Maldives and he said the same thing.
Written 15 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael Grifon
Makati, Philippines20 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Im a fan of beaches. And I take pride in visiting beaches before they even get commercialized. One of the most beautiful beach I’ve ever visited in the Philippines is certainly the Municipality of Balabac. Specifically Onul Island.
Despite the tideous land and sea travel, you will be in great awe when you step into this Island. It’s divine.
Set your expectations that the island is not that developed yet, which I love because it keeps the rusticness of the experience.
You should visit the island. I swear, it will change your life!
Despite the tideous land and sea travel, you will be in great awe when you step into this Island. It’s divine.
Set your expectations that the island is not that developed yet, which I love because it keeps the rusticness of the experience.
You should visit the island. I swear, it will change your life!
Written 13 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nolijane
Quezon City, Philippines61 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
We were very lucky that person who manages/owns the island (Punta Sebaring) where we stayed during our stay in Balabac knows the security personnel of this island. It was breathtaking!
For those who are interested for this tour, check Rombo Balabac in Facebook for assistance.
Big thanks to Kuya Renato and Ate Tess!
For those who are interested for this tour, check Rombo Balabac in Facebook for assistance.
Big thanks to Kuya Renato and Ate Tess!
Written 13 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Czar Emmanuel
Manila, Philippines10,230 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
Getting to this island, which sits on an atoll, may be tiring and many may find the entrance fee to the island (which is 1,500 pesos per head) quite expensive too, but the moment you reach the place you'll realize that it's all worth it! It took us about an hour and 15 mins to reach Onuk by a motor boat from Balabac Island, braving the waves and risking being caught in the middle of a storm. It rained for about an hour as soon as we reached the island, but the sun came out afterwards, making it possible for us to go around the place for about half an hour and take nice photos. We had our lunch in one of the houses built on stilts as we admire the beauty of the place. Onuk is definitely one of the most beautiful islands in southern Palawan. Just be sure to bring your own food and drinks when you visit it (since these are not available on the island). Also bring a jacket since it gets pretty cold there when it rains. You can also spend the night in one of the houses on the island for Php 3,000 per room and enjoy the beautiful sunset, the quite night and the colorful sunrise the day after. Highly recommended. To reach Onuk, you have to rent a boat. The tour operators will take care of the permit necessary to dock on Onuk.
Written 4 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hallo aus Berlin , ich würde gern im Oktober 3 Nächte bleiben . Wie kann ich es buchen ?
Written 24 February 2020
Is it worth going to Balabac, spending a week there in the middle of July?
Written 30 January 2020
Bonjour, je prévois de m y rendre d ici 10 jours avec mon époux et mes 2 filles de 7 et 8 ans. Dans quel hôtel avez vous logé à balabac? j ai lu qu on pouvais camper sur l ile de onuk l avez vous fait? Nous avons l habitude de voyager avec nos enfants dans les recoins du monde mais j avoue que le trajet et les conditions de logements nous font un peu douter pour balabac des conseils?
Written 27 January 2020
Bonjour, Alors premièrement je vous conseil pas spécialement de partir avec vos 2 filles car la route est assez longue et la sécurité n'est pas assuré partout. D'où partez vous pour votre périple ? Il y a qu'un seul hôtel à Balabac, pour votre tour opérateur je vous conseil cette personne Helen kuan ( sur Facebook tapez Kina Kuan, voici son numéro 09171300200/ 09497898636/09771633746 prenez son numéro de téléphone, soyez insistant avant d'arrivé pour que tout soit confirmé, mais elle s'est occupé du mini bus, du bateau et d'absolument tout. Sur Balabac c'est un peu la personne qu'il faut avoir de son côté. Absolument tout le monde la connaît.
L'hotel est totalement horrible, mais avec un peu de chance vous pourrez peut être dormir chez l'habitant. Faut savoir que le bateau pour arrivé là bas comme je l'ai dis dans mon post, est très très très long et lourd, vraiment très compliqué, c'est lent, inconfortable, vous serez mis à rude épreuve si vous partez en mini bus de Palawan ou el nido c'est déjà 7 ou 10h de route, ce qui est énorme comme route, ensuite le bateau c'est 5h environs, une fois sur place, il y a beaucoup d'île à visité.
Pour Onus island il y a possibilité de dormir sur place, mais il y a seulement des pièces avec matelas, rien d'autre, il y a des personnes qui dormes sur place, donc vous serez en sécurité. L'entré c'est 3000 pesos que vous dormez ou que vous visitiez seulement. Mais une fois le payement fait, cette île est juste incroyable. Il y a quelque chose de différent des Maldives, il y a le paysage derrière qui est totalement fou, avec les montagnes, c'est totalement inoubliable.
Pour finir tout dépend de votre budget, on a pris un mini bus privé pour moi et mon épouse, ça nous a coûté 200€, après on a pris pour le retour également un mini bus privé, mais on est parti également en speed boat.
Si d'autre question n'hésitez pas
Written 29 January 2020
Tutte le i formazioni possibili, come arrivarci, costi di soggiorno
Written 11 February 2019
Hello @jessicalightfoot ! Have you tried contacting the given number? I would also like to know how to book there.. Thanks!
Written 5 February 2019
Hello, has anyone any information on how to book accomodation on Onuk Island?
Written 11 November 2018
How can one organise accomodation on the island?
Written 5 November 2018
If you are visiting Balabac it is bettwe for you to get a tour operator which will lessen the hassle of enjoying the beautiful island. Fyi islands are almost hour boat ride each.
Written 26 January 2020
how is the Situation now?Is it save to visit onuk Island.do you have phone number to contact somebody for visitor Permit?Thank you for reply
Written 3 October 2018
Just wondering how much is it to stay at onuuk island per night? And if that includes food and island hopping tours?
Written 29 August 2018
I think the tour now usually cost 5k/pax including an overnight stay at onuk island, island hopping with 3 meals...
Written 6 September 2018
Hi che,
May i know yung accommodation, do they have decent CR naman?
And also ang concern ko actually yung mga niknik..i just read from some blog na marami silang kagat so emjo alarming lang yung part na yun..:)
Hope you can share some insights para prepared kami when we go there..😊
Written 24 March 2017
Yes, they have decent CR. Just bring Off lotion para walang kagat ng niknik. but during our stay, wala naman kaming mga kagat-kagat.
Written 30 May 2017
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