Palawan · about 30 minutes in the air
Private flight from Puerto Princesa to San Vicente and Port Barton
Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) to San Vicente Airport (SWL). Whole aircraft from ₱62,500 ($1,050), up to 3 passengers.
San Vicente is close to Puerto Princesa on a map and far from it on the road: three to four hours by van along the same highway that serves El Nido, with the last stretch turning off toward the coast. It is the gateway to Long Beach, 14 kilometres of sand, and to Port Barton a little further south — two of northern Palawan's quieter draws, reached by a road that is easy to underestimate when you are planning around it from home.
A private aircraft cuts that drive to about 30 minutes and lands at San Vicente Airport, which sits minutes from Long Beach itself. Port Barton is reached from there by road or by boat. There is no scheduled airline serving this route, so for visitors headed straight to the beach rather than through it, the flight replaces the whole overland leg rather than shortening part of it. Arrival is unhurried too: a small terminal, no queues, and a short walk to a waiting van rather than a long taxi rank.
The aircraft is a Puerto Princesa-based operator's Cessna 182, priced for the whole aircraft rather than per seat, and the price card shows both currencies before you book. A booking is a request the operator confirms, usually within hours; nothing is charged until they do, so holding a flexible date costs nothing while you firm up plans. For a family or small group splitting the fare, that half-day saved at each end of the trip is often worth more than the fare itself.
Puerto Princesa, Palawan to San Vicente, Palawan: your options compared
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private aircraft (Avian) | About 30 min | ₱62,500 | Whole aircraft, up to 3 passengers; lands at the airport. |
| Shared or private van | 3–4 hours | Lowest | One highway; San Vicente Airport is minutes from Long Beach. |
| Scheduled airline | — | — | No scheduled service to San Vicente Airport. |
| Seaplane charter | About 40 minutes | Quote only | Horizon Sun Charters lands on water; up to 6 passengers. |
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 Puerto Princesa 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.