There were wildlife sightings, time on the water, a paddle through the mangroves, and plenty of good food and conversation. It was a different way of experiencing Busuanga Island, one that took me beyond its familiar beaches and islands.

Our trip was arranged by Yunara Resort Busuanga, formerly known as Angel Garden Resort, which invited members of the media to experience how its new management, Approche Hospitality Management (AHM) Corporation, is transforming the beachfront property. A Philippine-based hotel and property management company, AHM is shaping Yunara into a place that reflects and connects with the rhythm of this quieter side of Busuanga.

We traveled from Quezon City, starting at Tribute Hotel, another property managed by AHM to Clark International Airport, where the transition to island rhythm began. Our Sunlight Air flight to Busuanga took about an hour. From Francisco B. Reyes Airport, it was another 45-minute drive to Yunara, with the landscape gradually giving way to quieter roads, coastal views and the unmistakable rhythm of island life.

Yunara, set along the coast of northern Busuanga, sits within a landscape of greens, community and sea, with the Mindoro Strait opening toward the other islands of the Calamian Group.

It is a setting that feels removed from the usual bustle of island tourism. You could easily spend an entire day doing very little and be perfectly happy about it. Watch the quiet day unfold, exchange a few words with the friendly staff, most of whom grew up in Busuanga, settle into a good book, or linger over a cocktail or two as the afternoon drifts by.

The management had other plans for us though. They wanted us to experience what Yunara could offer beyond its doors, and that meant exploring a different side of Busuanga Island.

Island-Hopping

Most island-hopping trips on this side of Palawan typically depart from Coron. It is a lovely town, and one I would happily return to, but some of the experiences we sought were closer and more conveniently accessible from Yunara.

There was no long transfer to a port or early-morning rush to get to a departure point. We simply stepped out of the resort and onto the boat, with the Yunara team taking care of the arrangements. 

Our itinerary took us to three destinations, each offering a distinctly different experience. First was Aban-Aban, a small coastal area, beach and islet off the northern coast of Calauit Island, where we set out in search of a dugong. From there, we headed to Dimipac Island, also known as Turtle Island, a local sanctuary focused on reef rehabilitation and sea turtle monitoring. Our final stop was Mantalibong Island, where Yunara had arranged a surprise island lunch for us, a fitting way to end a day spent exploring the waters around Busuanga.

Before setting off, we had a briefing from the Yunara team on our itinerary. At Calauit Island, we picked up representatives from Bantay Dugong, who then briefed us on how to conduct the encounter responsibly.

They explained that dugong watching is not simply about finding the animal and getting into the water. The experience is carefully regulated to minimize disturbance. Only small groups are allowed in the water at a time, with limited interaction time and a required distance from the animal. We were reminded not to chase or touch the dugong, to keep noise to a minimum, and most importantly, to allow the animal to decide where it wanted to go. 

I wasn't particularly hopeful at first. I had been on several wildlife encounters before, and many ended without a sighting. But I wasn't disappointed by that. After all, that is what seeing wild animals is about. They are not performers waiting for our arrival.

So, we waited.

And patience had its reward.

We eventually got to see Aban, one of the dugongs regularly encountered in the waters off northern Calauit Island. Aban is named after the Aban-Aban area where he is frequently spotted.

Researchers estimate that around 30 dugongs inhabit these northern waters, with two familiar faces. One is Aban and the other is Pingas, whose name is taken from the Tagalog word referring to something notched or clipped, a reference to the distinctive mark on his tail.

Seeing Aban in the wild was still surreal and I can now say that I've seen a dugong in the wild.

From there, we sailed to Dimipac Island. I have seen sea turtles in the wild before, usually one or two around an island. This time, I counted six. Others in our group spotted as many as 12.

There was no need to dive. The water was clear enough that we could easily spot the turtles from the surface.

And the experience was refreshingly easygoing. The Yunara staff were in the water with us, with lifebuoys on hand whenever we needed a break. We could simply stop, float for a while and take in the sight without having to worry about keeping up.

After the dugong encounter, seeing so many turtles in one place was another unexpected highlight of the day.

By then, lunch was something we were all looking forward to. We had spent most of the morning in the sea, and despite having enjoyed a generous buffet breakfast at Yunara, we were more than ready for another meal.

At Mantalibong Island, a buffet lunch was waiting for us, with grilled fish, isaw or grilled intestines on skewers, grilled pork belly, pancit, salad and fresh buko or coconuts. After a morning in the water, there was something especially satisfying about sitting down to a hearty island lunch.

With the sea in front of us, sand underfoot and delicious food on our plates, it was exactly the kind of lunch an island day called for.

Through the Mangroves

The wildlife encounters were just one part of the trip.

Just a five-minute walk from the resort is CAFA Ecoworld, managed by the Cheey Aquaculture and Fisherfolk Association (CAFA), a community-run aquaculture and ecotourism organization. The grassroots initiative brings together local fisherfolk and their families, who manage a five-hectare site while working on livelihood programs, environmental protection and community-based tourism.

I visited CAFA twice.

On our first visit, we were introduced to the organization and learned about its work, from livelihood programs to efforts to protect the coastal environment. They welcomed us with traditional dances, meryenda and refreshing nipa shakes made from the nipa palms that grow in the area.

The highlight was a mangrove cruise, which I did by kayak. For about 30 minutes, we paddled through the mangroves as the afternoon slipped toward sunset. The changing light transformed the landscape, casting the waterways and foliage in increasingly warm hues.

I came back to see more of CAFA and the second time, there was more food, more conversation and more time to simply listen.

They served their sinugbang alimango, a mud crab grilled with garlic, cheese, lemongrass and other local herbs. The recipe was developed by one of the members, who also prepared it herself. 

Over the meal, we talked about the community, their work and life in Busuanga. Without the rush of an itinerary, the conversation became less about tourism and more about getting to know the people behind the place.

It reminded me that the best kind of travel can be unhurried, leaving room for conversations, connections and the chance to see a place through the eyes of its people.

The Rhythm of Yunara

Yunara is still young and evolving under its new management, with a clear focus on building stronger connections with the community and environment around it. Many of its staff grew up in Busuanga, and their knowledge of the island is part of that direction. At the same time, the resort offers a comfortable and quiet place to return to. That balance is the rhythm of Yunara, and one worth experiencing for yourself.