Palawan · about 20 minutes in the air
Private flight from El Nido to San Vicente
El Nido Airport (Lio) (ENI) to San Vicente Airport (SWL). Whole aircraft from ₱62,500 ($1,050), up to 3 passengers.
El Nido and San Vicente both sit on Palawan's northern coast, close enough that the road between them, two to three hours along the highway, feels like it should be shorter than it is. There is no scheduled airline covering the gap, so a visitor splitting time between the two towns is left with a van ride at either end of the stay, on top of whatever time the rest of the itinerary already spends on the road.
A private aircraft flies it in about 20 minutes, landing at San Vicente Airport, minutes from Long Beach and the beach-landing skydiving dropzone. It is the shortest leg on Palawan's network, which makes it an easy add to a trip that already includes El Nido, rather than a separate journey to plan around. Boarding is unhurried too — a small terminal, no queues, and a short walk to the aircraft, whichever direction you are flying.
The aircraft is a Cessna 182 priced for the whole aircraft, with the price card showing both pesos and dollars up front. Booking is a request the operator confirms, usually within hours, and nothing is charged until confirmation — so pairing this hop with an El Nido stay costs nothing to hold provisionally while the rest of an itinerary firms up. On a leg this short, the flight time itself is almost incidental next to the two to three hours of road it removes, and the airport experience at both ends is a small terminal rather than a long queue.
El Nido, Palawan to San Vicente, Palawan: your options compared
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private aircraft (Avian) | About 20 min | ₱62,500 | Whole aircraft, up to 3 passengers; lands at the airport. |
| Road | 2–3 hours | Lowest | Via the highway; no direct scheduled flight. |
Flight time is a typical block time for the aircraft shown and is confirmed at booking; surface times are typical and vary with weather and season.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the price per person or per aircraft?
- Per aircraft. The price shown covers the whole aircraft from El Nido to San Vicente for up to the passenger limit on the price card, so splitting it between travellers is where charter starts to make sense.
- How much luggage can we bring?
- Each price card shows the aircraft's total luggage allowance in kilograms. Light aircraft take soft bags far more easily than hard cases; if you are travelling with dive gear, a surfboard or camera cases, mention it when you book and the operator will confirm it fits.
- How far in advance do we need to book?
- A booking on Avian is a request: the operator confirms availability, usually within hours, and you then receive a secure payment link by email. Nothing is charged until the operator has confirmed. Same-day flights are sometimes possible; a few days' notice is safer in peak season.
- What happens at the airport?
- Charter departures use the small general-aviation side of the airport. Arrive 30 to 45 minutes before departure, meet the crew, and walk to the aircraft. There are no boarding groups and no long security queues.
- What if the weather turns?
- Light aircraft fly in visual conditions, so heavy weather can move a departure. If the operator needs to change your time they will propose a new one and you accept or decline it from your booking link; a flight that cannot operate is not charged.
- Can children and infants fly?
- Yes. Every person on board, including an infant on a lap, counts towards the aircraft's passenger limit, so choose your passenger count accordingly when you search.
- How do I get from San Vicente Airport to Port Barton?
- By road or by boat from San Vicente port; allow around an hour, and ask us to arrange the transfer when you book.
- Can we combine the flight with a tandem skydive?
- Yes. San Vicente Airport is the home of Skydive Palawan's beach-landing dropzone; land, jump, and be on Long Beach the same afternoon.