Palawan's beaches, like this one on Pass Island, are usually deserted or, at most, sparsely populated.
Pass Island —
Palawan's beaches, like this one on Pass Island, are usually deserted or, at most, sparsely populated.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
Cliffs provide plenty of sheltered anchoring spots.
Perfect conditions —
Cliffs provide plenty of sheltered anchoring spots.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
The 45-foot, French-built Sun Odyssey sailing yacht was the author's home for almost a week of touring the coasts of Palawan's many islands.
Island explorer —
The 45-foot, French-built Sun Odyssey sailing yacht was the author's home for almost a week of touring the coasts of Palawan's many islands.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
Owner-skipper Raul Bulaong knows the waters around Palawan intimately.
Helmsman —
Owner-skipper Raul Bulaong knows the waters around Palawan intimately.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
Swimming in Kayangan Lake is a peaceful way to relax. The towering limestone cliffs that surround it cut off the outside world completely.
Serenity now —
Swimming in Kayangan Lake is a peaceful way to relax. The towering limestone cliffs that surround it cut off the outside world completely.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
Palawan's waters are crystal clear, and the region boasts spectacular diving, including a large number of wreck sites.
Dive muster —
Palawan's waters are crystal clear, and the region boasts spectacular diving, including a large number of wreck sites.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
Most locals get from island to island in traditional banka boats with bamboo stabilizers.
Classic Philippines —
Most locals get from island to island in traditional banka boats with bamboo stabilizers.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
Parts of the island chain of Palawan are characterized by dramatic limestone karsts that plunge into the sea.
Endless seclusion —
Parts of the island chain of Palawan are characterized by dramatic limestone karsts that plunge into the sea.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
Island-hopping by banka is easy and cheap.
Traditional tender —
Island-hopping by banka is easy and cheap.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
Great weather, plenty of wind and an abundance of islands should put the Philippines on the charter yacht map, but the industry is still little developed here.
Finding their sea legs —
Great weather, plenty of wind and an abundance of islands should put the Philippines on the charter yacht map, but the industry is still little developed here.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
Black Island, a piratical-sounding limestone bulk, looms out of the sea and has one of the most perfect beaches the author has ever seen.
Perfect beaches —
Black Island, a piratical-sounding limestone bulk, looms out of the sea and has one of the most perfect beaches the author has ever seen.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
Little compares with helming a yacht through these deep-blue waters, wind threatening to tug the cap off your head.
Once in a lifetime —
Little compares with helming a yacht through these deep-blue waters, wind threatening to tug the cap off your head.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
Sunsets in the Philippines have a magical quality. Especially from the deck of a yacht.
Golden hour —
Sunsets in the Philippines have a magical quality. Especially from the deck of a yacht.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
The weather is mild enough to sleep comfortably in a sleeping bag on deck. Being on the water has the added advantage of being insect-free.
Bite-free nights —
The weather is mild enough to sleep comfortably in a sleeping bag on deck. Being on the water has the added advantage of being insect-free.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
Even in the dead of winter, little more than board shorts or a bikini are required on board.
Light wardrobe —
Even in the dead of winter, little more than board shorts or a bikini are required on board.
Euan McKirdy/CNN
The fish -- head and collar -- is thrown directly on a fire on the beach, and when cooked, eaten with fingers. It's delicious.
Top eats —
The fish -- head and collar -- is thrown directly on a fire on the beach, and when cooked, eaten with fingers. It's delicious.
Euan McKirdy/CNN