James & Lauren
Things To Do
Island Hopping
Bacuit Bay is made up of several exceptionally beautiful islands that you can easily explore by boat tours organized by the tourist agencies of El Nido. Four tours are generally offered (A, B, C, and D), allowing you to discover different areas of the Bay. Tours B and C are often considered the most interesting by travelers. The most visited island is certainly Miniloc, famous for its two lagoons: the Big Lagoon and the Small Lagoon. The warm and calm waters of these lagoons offer a memorable bathing scene. The islands of Matinloc and Tapiutan are other popular excursion destinations from El Nido. Matinloc looks like a submerged stegosaurus, and offers the best snorkeling spots along with the island of Tapiutan. Finally, the island of Cadlao, which can be seen from the beach of El Nido, is also a beautiful island with a lagoon where you can practice snorkeling.
Scuba Diving
The turquoise waters that surrounds the islands of the Bacuit archipelago is full of marine life. With more than 30 diving sites, this archipelago is very well known in the diving world. There are dugongs, the animal that is supposed to have started the legend of mermaids, manta rays, sea turtles, and a huge number of other fish species. From El Nido, you will be able to book diving courses, PADI trainings, and diving trips for all budgets and levels. The nearby dive sites range from 6 to 30 meters deep, offering diving experiences for beginners and seasoned divers alike! For beginners, many agencies also offer snorkeling trips, ideal for discovering the beauty of underwater life without the need to take a full diving course.
Kayaking & Paddle Boarding
Enjoy a day of kayaking or paddle boarding in the calm waters and lagoons of Bacuit Bay in El Nido. Maremegmeg Beach Resort provides both kayaks & paddle boards to guests free of charge.
Nacpan Beach
Nacpan Beach is probably the most famous beach in El Nido. Nacpan is located in Barangay Bucana, in the northern part of Palawan Island, which is about a 45-minute drive from El Nido town. Nacpan is accessible by private van/car, and also by tricycle which would, however, take about an hour to reach. Nacpan Beach together with Calitang Beach, make up the Twin Beaches of El Nido. Nacpan has always been more famous than Calitang in spite the fact that the two beaches are very near to each other. Nacpan beach is considered the most beautiful beach in the area and it stretches up to 4 kilometers long. It has white fine sand and turquoise waters which compliments very well with the rich greenery in the area. Nacpan Beach is a quiet, peaceful destination that is perfect for those who are after a very calm ambiance, far from the loud and busy city life. It is also a gram-worthy spot that would definitely earn you a lot of likes and reactions on your social media accounts.
Dolarog Beach
Dolarog Beach is a secluded paradise with an outstanding view of the limestone islands of the Bacuit Archipelago. Famous for its breath-taking sunsets, Dolarog Beach is the ideal place for those who wish nothing more than to relax and spend their time laying on a hammock and enjoying the view of the sea. Dolarog is the most remote beach in El Nido and is not accessible by van or tricycle. It can be reached by boat or walking. Dolarog Beach is also suitable for families with small children because the sea in the area is very shallow.
Seven Commandos Beach
Seven Commandos Beach is one of El Nido’s best-known beaches, that can be visited with one of the tours offered in El Nido (El Nido Tour A Package). It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in El Nido, thanks to its crystal-clear waters, and its unique limestone rock formations. From afar, you can immediately notice Seven Commando Beach’s white sand and the coconut trees lined along it that are swaying along with every blow of the wind. On the beach, there is a tiny store that serves snacks, halo-halo, beer and fresh coconut. The only accommodation on Seven Commandos Beach is the Vellago Resort. This boutique resort has 5 secluded rooms that sit tucked away up high in one corner of the beach.
Las Cabañas Beach
Another inland beach that has been garnering so much attention recently is the Las Cabanas. This beautiful beach is found just 5 kilometers from the town proper of El Nido. It is mostly known for having creamy white sand along with the fact that it is fringed with coconut palm trees. Compared to Nacpan, it is more developed with a line of resorts and other kinds of establishments that can be found along the beach. However, despite being developed, Las Cabans Beach still remain clean and much quieter than the beach in El Nido town. Las Cabanas comes to life in the early evenings with tourists and locals gathering for watching the sunset.
Duli Beach
Duli Beach is another uncrowded beach that is similar to Nacpan. This remote beach in El Nido, might not be the easiest attraction to get to, but visiting this huge uninhabited paradise-on-Earth beach is, undoubtedly, a great experience. The secluded Duli Beach has white sands with palm trees on it. Its clear waters roll onto the stretch of sandy beach. Duli whose name means ‘female turtle” is a nesting place for sea turtles in the area. Duli Beach has regarded as ‘surfer’s paradise’ especially during the rainy season when there are a lot of big waves.
Corong Corong Beach
Corong-Corong is a quiet beach close to El Nido town proper. It stretches for more than 3 kilometers starting from the town market before turning towards Marimegmeg Beach. The tide covers most of the beach during the day, but during the low tide, a very wide stretch of sand emerges from the shallow waters. Corong Corong Beach is not as beautiful as the other beaches in El Nido, but it’s a great place to chill and watch the sunset.
Lio Beach
If you want to have one last glance of the beautiful waters of El Nido, you can find a beautiful beach right at the airport of El Nido. Visiting El Nido Airport Beach or Lio Beach before getting on your plane to Manila would be a great idea to lessen the stress. There is a long wooden pier where you can walk and enjoy a scenic view of Cadlao Island – it a perfect spot to take the ‘last paradise photo’ before you leave El Nido. Lio Beach is part of Lio Tourism Estate, an ecologically-sustainable new tourism destination in El Nido and recently 3 hotels have been built there (Casa Kalaw, Hotel Covo and Balai Adlao Resort).
Caalan Beach
Caalan Beach is, perhaps, the least famous beach in the mainland El Nido among the beaches close to the town. It’s a quiet beach located about 10-15 minute walk from downtown El Nido. Caalan Beach is the perfect place for an evening walk away from the noise and bustle of El Nido town. This beach offers a scenic view of Cadlao Island as well as great sunsets. Anyone who visits this beach will really wonder how a beautiful attraction such as this has yet acquired attention from the many visitors of El Nido.
Matinloc Shrine
Matinloc Shrine is an abandoned site hidden at the foot of towering karst cliffs on the western coast of Matinloc Island. More formally known as the Shrine of Our Lady of Matinloc, it was built in 1982. The place has been completely neglected (with the main building almost empty), but tourists are still allowed to visit. While others may find this as a spiritual oasis, most tours make a stop here for the view.
Hiking
In the Philippines town of El Nido, local limestone outcroppings hide many spots of interest criss-crossed by hiking trails. These trails are rough and dusty (muddy in rainy season) - however, half the fun in El Nido hiking is the wildlife and magnificent views you'll encounter along the way. Hike guides can be arranged through your hotel or pension house - most El Nido accommodations have arrangements with outside providers, or have guest coordinators who know these trails themselves. You can also arrange for hiking guides through the El Nido Tour Guide Association, which holds office at the El Nido Boutique & Artcafe in El Nido Town. The Association's guides are trained and licensed by the Philippine Department of Tourism. Their fees depend on the destination desired; consult the site for the definitive rates. Most of these hikes are inclusive of a packed lunch and tricycle ride to the jump-off point.