The Ultimate Island Hopping Adventure in The Philippines

My first time to the Philippines and my last of the major SEA countries. I wish I had visited sooner. This was also my first Level 1 style trip and it gave me just what I needed, a more relaxing style of travel while still getting a great mix activities in. The itinerary is well put together and all the support teams throughout each section ensured we were all looked after. As with all previous reviews, Rey went above and beyond with his service and was always on hand to help, especially when I got an unwell. I will be back to the Philippines soon. Another great MBA trip and I hope the local teams are able to create some other adventures for the out of season summer time.

This was my second MBA solo adventure and one a little further afield and more adventurous for me. It was simply brilliant from start to finish. I'm still trying to get my head around all the amazing experiences and incredible locations we visited. The Philippines have been on my bucket list for a while and I wanted to get there before mass tourism took off. The country is beautiful, the beaches/sand bars the best I've ever has the privilege to experience, the snorkelling was to die for with beautiful coral gardens and copious sea life including sea turtles (seen on 3 occasions), amazing shoals of fish of every type. The locals seemed so pleased we were visiting (as there had been some reduction of visitors due to Trump's war) and were so very welcoming and very friendly. The itinerary was expertly designed and then faultlessly delivered by our excellent local guide Rey who made sure we found the best snorkelling spots, avoided any crowds (there weren't many), arranged for amazing lunches, booked family run restaurants for dinner, managed all our various means of transport and dealt with any requests or problems efficiently. He was the very best tour leader you could ever wish for and really made the trip so special. Our tour leaders expertly operated 2 drones which accompanied us for the 10 days and gave us some of the most incredible shots of our many activities. The group was refreshingly all solo travellers who ranged in ages from 31 - 54. We instantly bonded, despite being from very diverse backgrounds and different countries (but mostly from the UK). We all chose to dine together each evening and had so many laughs and great conversation. Being a solo traveller on an MBA trip really is the very best way to travel, and so different from holidaying with friends or family. . . and I can't recommend it enough! Being the oldest, I was worried about being able to keep up with them all, but they couldn't have been more inclusive and encouraging and I managed everything apart from the cliff jumping and tattoos! This trip is marked as easy on the activity/difficulty level, however I'd still suggest getting in good shape before going as the itinerary is full on and very active. On the final day for example, we snorkelled in 3 different spots (including an amazing WW2 wreck), SUP'd through mangroves and along the shoreline for an hour, swam across 2 deep wide lagoons and climbed 400 steps up to lagoon. Another day we hiked the hill that looks over Coron - 600 steps in intense heat and humidity. You'll enjoy it more if you can take it all in your stride. The accommodation was excellent, especially the eco lodge resort near El Nido which we had sole use of including its own long beach to watch the sunrise. The off grid experience was magical, but slightly marred by food poisoning that half the group came down with, leaving some feeling very ropey for the 6 hour boat journey the next day. However this is Asia, so you have to prepare for these kind of things! The bamboo bike tour round Manila on day 1 helped set the tone and provided the historical understanding needed to appreciate the country and everything it has been through. A couple of 'must haves' that I'd recommend you take if you have this booked: - The strongest Factor 50+ sun protection and a light weight long sleeved rash vest as being in the water and snorkelling so much means you are at risk of some crazy sunburn - Your own snorkel gear (mask and fins) as it was pot luck the quality and size of those provided each day - Ear plugs: cockerels making their presence known from 4am each day - Battery packs for recharging your phone as we did have quite a few power outages - Full strength meds for potential tummy trouble Just book it!

This trip was a perfect 5/5, with an itinerary that was flawlessly planned and even better executed. ​The Philippines is easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Each snorkeling spot offered something new—from vibrant corals to turtle encounters—while kayaking through turquoise waters and hidden caves was a total highlight. The hikes were definitely warm, but cooling off in waterfalls at the end made every step worth it. ​What truly made the experience was Rey B. He is a brilliant leader who balanced safety and logistics with a great sense of humor. Between teaching us the "Ocho ocho" and redefining "light lunches," he ensured everyone was laughing and having a great time. ​The entire MBA crew was equally fantastic. Bert was dedicated to getting everyone the perfect photo, Jason’s local knowledge was insightful, and the boat crews were incredible, serving up delicious food while navigating us safely through paradise. ​It was an unforgettable adventure from start to finish. Don't hesitate—book the tour, you won’t be disappointed!

The trip to Palawan and Coron was incredible. The whole tour was very well organised, all of the accommodation surpassed my expectations especially on El Nido where we had the whole place to ourselves with a private beach. The activities were great and not too strenuous, with the snorkelling some of the best in the world. Our tour leader, Rey, is a great guy, friendly and funny and nothing was too much. You can see why all of the reviews mention what a great guy he is. All in all a fantastic trip and a very special part of the country. Highly recommend this trip.

This trip surpassed any expectation I could’ve dreamed of. Before and during my booking, all my questions and concerns were answered. Are guides, Ray and Adrian made sure this trip was one of a lifetime for each of us. Everything was meticulously planned and executed perfectly. Every single one of our needs or requests were met. There were so many individual adventures that I lost track, but we had daily debriefs on what we were doing next, and what we needed to bring with us. They made us laugh, and were genuinely having the best time with us while keeping us entertained and safe. The food was incredible, the views, breathtaking, and the activities were plentiful. A lot of the evenings I wanted to head back to the hotel early, and I was escorted safely before Adrian headed back out to rejoin the others. Each spot was handpicked using their intimate knowledge of the islands to avoid any crowds. Every restaurant was vetted beforehand and they made sure we had the best service. We didn’t have to worry about photos as they continuously took them, including drone footage. There would be no way possible to plan this if travelling alone. Much Better Adventures has the highest standards with fun and safety as a top priority. Guides were always with us during each activity if the need for support arrised. They told us stories about the history of the islands and the culture. Transportation was always lined up without a hiccup or delay. There was zero stress and all we had to do was show up. One of the best highlights was camping on the beach with massages and a meal catered better than Christmas dinner. The accommodations were clean and comfortable. Every boat chartered was just for our small group. I lost my GoPro while jumping off the boat, but one of our guides dove deeply to retrieve it. All the activities and meals were partnered with supporting the local communities. As a solo traveler, I was nervous to take a trip on my own, so I took the risk of booking this group trip. It was an experience of a lifetime being with like-minded people exploring all of our passions. I will most definitely travel with them again!

despite the trip being fully booked and confirmed as going ahead 4/5 months before we went in March, the majority of the hotels weren’t booked until the night before we were due to stay in them. This last minute effort caused unnecessary anxiety and largely meant poorer quality accommodation with multiple changes to the advertised itinerary which we had been looking forward to. This is not our previous experience on MBA trips - the local tour operator was incompetent. Would have given 2 stars if not for our fab guide Ray, our amazing fellow travellers and the fact that the Philippines is absolutely gorgeous and so worth a visit. Hopefully all these accommodation/ itinerary changes won’t be a repeat experience on this trip so don't be put off booking, but do check all is as it should be before you go.

The Itinerary was amazing & mostly as expected. Our guide Rey was fabulous, but 3 of our 5 promised accommodations emailed a week before we travelled were changed,1 was good the other 2 were really disappointing :(

This was my first group trip and I already can't wait to plan another one. Rey was an outstanding guide - he and his team looked after us every step of the way. The snorkelling was out of this world, and the endless unspoiled natural beauty was incredible. Highly recommend!

I would definitely recommend this trip - it is a must experience tour. The Philippines is simply stunning and this tour combined gorgeous beaches, amazing snorkelling, fun kayaking, SUPing and waterfalls, great hotels and delicious food (you will not go hungry), plus never ending rum if you wished 😁. Rey is one of the best, if not the best, tour leader I have experienced across many previous trips. He is incredibly well organised but also caring, funny, knowledgeable, and thinks of everything to make your tour even better, often exceeding my expectations. Highlights of the tour were so many but sleeping under the stars and waking up in tents on Linapacan island was particularly memorable, as was swimming with a turtle and watching a clown fish parent protecting its young in coral. Honestly, book this tour. You will not be disappointed.

This trip was absolutely brilliant. Beautiful water, outstanding food, snorkelling and a brilliant guide in Rey who anticipated our every want before we even knew it ! I’ve been on many guided trips before but Rey is genuinely the most professional and best guide I have ever encountered. The night in the island sleeping under the stars was a particularly highlight in a trip of brilliant adventure. I can not recommend this trip enough.