Philippines island hopping packing list

Island hopping means boats, wet landings and long days in the sun. On Cebu, renting a scooter was the one thing we couldn't have done without: it's the only way to reach the different spots on your own schedule without paying for a driver every day. And waterproof shoes, every single day. This list adds what the basics list doesn't cover.

Tick things off as you pack. Nothing is saved.

Getting around

Domestic flights for the long hops: we flew Manila - Cebu - Palawan. For Boracay we took the overnight ferry
Check the hand luggage limit of each airline before you book; it isn't the same everywhere (see flying with camera gear)
Copies of flight and ferry tickets, offline

On a scooter

Your driving licence plus an International Driving Permit. A foreign licence is valid for 90 days from arrival, but only if it's in English or comes with an official translation or IDP, so a German licence needs the IDP
Your passport with the entry stamp, for checkpoints
A proper helmet for rider and passenger. They're compulsory, and fines start at 1,500 pesos
Waterproof shoes you can ride in

On the boat

A 20-litre dry bag for phone, camera and documents
Waterproof phone pouch
Water shoes; many landings are on coral or rocks
Rash guard or UV shirt instead of sunscreen alone
Hat with a chin strap
Motion sickness tablets for longer crossings

In the water

Reef-safe sunscreen. If your trip continues to Thailand: its marine national parks ban sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-MBC or butylparaben, with fines of up to 100,000 baht
Your own snorkel mask if you're picky about fit; rental masks are often worn out
Anti-fog spray or a drop of baby shampoo for the mask
Quick-dry towel
Diving: your certification card. We log our dives in the SSI app, so the logbook is always on the phone

Money

Pesos in cash, in small notes. Terminal fees, environmental fees and boatmen rarely take cards

Leave at home

A hard-shell suitcase; you'll carry it over sand and onto boats
Anything that can't get wet or sandy

Sources

Rules change. We checked these on October 11, 2026; confirm the details that matter for your trip before you fly.