10 REASONS TO EXPERIENCE BANWA

There is no single reason to come to Banwa. It might be the privacy, the setting, the time together or simply the freedom to spend each day as you choose. Here are ten reasons to discover the island for yourself.

01 | Space of Your Own
Stay in one of our beachfront villas or bring family and friends together for a private island experience, with plenty of space to settle in and feel at home.

02 | Villas Made for Island Living
Generous indoor and outdoor spaces open to gardens, private pools and the sea, keeping the natural surroundings always within view.

03 | A Stay That Feels Personal
From dining preferences to how you spend the day, Team Banwa takes the time to understand what matters to you and shapes the experience around it.

04 | A World Beneath the Water
Just beyond the shore, clear waters reveal coral, marine life and a reef that has been carefully protected and restored over the years.

05 | Days That Are Yours to Fill
Swim, snorkel, dive, sail, play tennis or golf, explore beyond the island — or leave the afternoon completely open.

06 | Fresh from the Farm
Produce from our organic farm and carefully sourced ingredients inspire menus created around what you enjoy.

07 | The People Behind the Island
At the heart of Banwa is Team Banwa, bringing genuine Filipino warmth and thoughtful service to every stay.

08 | Wellbeing at Your Own Pace
Start the morning with yoga or Pilates, fit in a workout, enjoy a massage — or simply spend more time outdoors.

09 | Surrounded by Palawan
Sea, tropical landscape and wildlife are never far away, offering a closer connection to the natural beauty of this part of the Philippines.

10 | Time Better Spent Together
Family holidays, gatherings with friends, proposals and milestone celebrations take on a different feeling when you have the space and privacy to enjoy them together.

Banwa Private Island – Multi-Award-Winning Experience Receives Latest International Recognition

Manila, Philippines (15 August 2025) – Banwa Private Island, the ultra-exclusive private island in Palawan, Philippines, continues to solidify its standing among the world’s most exceptional destinations with its third consecutive inclusion in Robb Report’s 50 Greatest Luxury Hotels on Earth for 2025.

Robb Report’s 50 Greatest Luxury Hotels on Earth, established in 2023, celebrates the pinnacle of global hospitality. Published by Robb Report, a leading authority on luxury lifestyle since 1976, the list is meticulously curated by 26 Travel Masters—globally respected luxury travel specialists renowned for crafting extraordinary journeys for an elite international clientele. Each expert nominates their top five exceptional properties, encompassing both new openings and timeless icons across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Among them is Henry Cookson, founder of Cookson Adventures, who lauded Banwa Private Island for its extraordinary marine setting and ecological significance:

"This is one of the world’s most exclusive private islands. It’s set in a marine-protected sanctuary, and we love it for its incredible diving—it’s possible to scuba alongside whale sharks as well as encounter the rare Hawksbill turtle and black tip reef shark."

This latest recognition adds to Banwa Private Island’s growing list of international accolades, including the Editor’s Choice Award in The Gallivanter’s Guide 2024; being named “Private Island of the Year” by Destination Deluxe for three non-consecutive years (2020, 2022, and 2023); “Best Beach, Island or Upcountry Resort in the Philippines” by the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific in 2023;  “Best of the Best in Travel” by Robb Report Hong Kong in 2024; and “World’s Leading Luxury Private Island” by the World Travel Awards in 2019.

Banwa Private Island has become a preferred retreat for celebrities, heads of state, and private families seeking more than just privacy. With only six contemporary beachfront villas—each with expansive interiors, private terraces and gardens, a jacuzzi, and a full-sized spring water pool—Banwa Private Island offers an experience defined by space, serenity, and sustainability. Among the largest and most luxurious in the world, the villas provide rare comfort and complete seclusion, with discreet service staff available at a moment’s notice but never in view. Whether reserved individually or through a full island charter, each stay is designed to feel effortless, private, and deeply personalized.

Located in the heart of the Sulu Sea, Banwa Private Island is surrounded by one of the Philippines’ most biodiverse marine corridors. Each guest stay contributes to vital conservation efforts through the Aquos Foundation, which supports habitat protection and scientific research—including in one of the country’s 10 Important Sharks and Rays Areas (ISRAs). Endangered species such as the Hawksbill turtle, blacktip reef shark, and whale shark thrive in these protected waters.

Sustainability is woven into daily island life. Banwa Private Island operates its own organic farm that supplies fresh produce to its kitchens. A self-replenishing artesian well provides natural water for drinking, bathing, and pools. The island is also uniquely mosquito-free, maintained through an entomologist-designed trapping system that eliminates the need for chemical sprays while safeguarding the delicate ecosystem.

Dining at Banwa Private Island is entirely bespoke—there are no menus to browse, no decisions to make. Each meal is thoughtfully crafted by the island’s chef, who takes time to understand every guest’s preferences and dietary needs. Using the freshest ingredients from Banwa Private Island’s organic farm and surrounding seas, the chef designs personalized menus that surprise and delight. Meals are served in stunning locations chosen to suit the moment—whether it’s a romantic dinner at Bantigue sandbar, sunset dining at the Platform, or an alfresco lunch by the pool.

Guests enjoy a seamless, all-inclusive island journey that extends to curated excursions, wellness treatments, and private aviation coordination. From snorkeling the vibrant house reef to exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites like Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, each itinerary is crafted to inspire discovery and connection with nature.

As The Gallivanter’s Guide noted in its 2024 review: “The meticulous attention to detail is what makes Banwa Private Island truly special. The presence of vibrant flower bouquets that are refreshed every other day, the discreet room servicing during breakfast times, and the continuous replenishment of ice buckets and welcome treats—all without having to reach for the phone.”

“Today’s luxury traveler seeks more than privacy—they seek purpose,” said Simon Turner, Director of Sales and Marketing at Banwa Private Island. “Banwa Private Island delivers that rare combination of meaningful travel, uncompromising comfort, and untouched natural beauty.”

Villa rates begin at USD 3,050 per night, with a two-night minimum stay. Full island buyouts are available upon request.

For more information, visit www.banwaprivateisland.com

Banwa Private Island : A Journey of Discovery and Adventure

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – 05th February 2024 - This week, over 200 guests from the Philippines, Hong Kong and beyond were treated to a preview of a movie documentary, “Banwa Private Island – A Two Part Adventure,” filmed on location and produced by Asian Air Safari.

Banwa Private Island is the gateway to the incredibly rich and diverse marine and land ecology in Palawan. ‘Banwa' actually means ‘community' in the local Palawano language and the Tagbanwa people are considered guardians of the region's indigenous nature. Proceeds from the island directly contribute to educational and infrastructure projects in the area through its Aquos Foundation whose ethos is to support, nurture and protect the island’s unique biodiversity.

The documentary highlights how guests are coming from around the world to explore the culture, history and ecology of this unique region. A truly private island with just 6 beautiful villas, guests enjoy un-paralleled hospitality from the Banwa Private Island team whilst being entranced by the nature, wildlife, beaches and stunning turquoise water in this mosquito free environment. Within just a 20-minute radius, there are an array of activities including snorkeling, diving, hiking, an underground river, waterfalls and unique wildlife indigenous to the area.

The documentary was produced by the enigmatic and humbling Captain Joy Roa, CEO of Asian Air Safari, who commented: “I was given a beautiful opportunity to visit this incredible island with its rich bio-diversity, right in our own backyard in the Philippines. Flying with the helicopter for only two hours from Manila allowed me to see this private world – a distinctive combination of luxurious pampering and hospitality, wildlife encounters, and authentic, meaningful interactions with the local community. Experiencing it all first-hand makes me proud that an award-winning, world-class property like Banwa Private Island can be found in the Philippines, because it defines what positive, impactful travel should be.”

Banwa Private Island is the vision of Richard Beattie who has been exploring the region for over 20 years and cannot escape the charm and lure of these islands. Richard commented, “We are so grateful to Captain Joy and his brilliant team for this incredible documentary. It enables people to have an insight into the sounds, smells, culture and scenery of this almost unknown region and Captain Joy immersed himself into every aspect of what the region offers. His generosity is unbounded, and he appears to have found quite a few future pilots for his team from the eager local school children!”

The screening was attended by an international audience made up of past island guests, those planning to visit in the future and the best of the luxury travel trade who have already booked guest visits to the island from far-away places such as Brazil, China and Europe – and perhaps surprisingly many from Manila who were previously unaware of the adventure that awaits them in Palawan.

The two-part documentary will be available for public viewing in March and a wonderful preview is available via this link.