The Municipality of El Nido covers the northern tip of the island of Palawan, and at its centre is El Nido Town. One of the most popular travel destinations in the Philippines, Palawan is known for its spectacular beauty and outstanding nature.
El Nido is the beating heart of the island and a hub for exploring some of the country’s best beaches and sensational snorkelling. Throughout my global travels, the beaches of the Philippines remain the most stunning I have come across, and nowhere more so than in Palawan.
Kayak Between Islands
The beauty of El Nido is in its crystal waters and unspoiled beaches. One of the best ways to experience this is to get off the main island and explore the islands of El Nido Bay or Bacuit Bay.
Hire a kayak for the day, venture out to sea and see where the wind takes you. With dozens of islands to discover, it’s easy to find a secluded spot and enjoy a slice of paradise all to yourself. When I spent the afternoon on a deserted beach it felt like I was in a movie!
Two of the more popular spots to visit by kayak are the Big and Small Lagoons. Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, the lagoons provide gorgeous scenery in all directions.
Go Island Hopping
For a more relaxing option, and to reach the farther outlying islands, enjoy an island-hopping boat tour. As the most popular activity in El Nido, these trips can’t provide the peacefulness that arriving by kayak can.
However, it’s a great way to discover some of the Philippines’ most idyllic locations hidden away in the Bacuit archipelago. There are four options (Tour A, B, C or D) and each has its own appeal, depending on whether you would like to laze on the beach, go snorkelling or explore some caves.
Pro Tip: Tour A and Tour C are the most popular routes. If you prefer a quieter experience, opt for Tour B or Tour D.
Climb up Taraw Cliff
For some land-based exploration, tackle the short but fairly challenging hike up Taraw Cliff from El Nido Town. The climb takes around 45 minutes to reach the summit. Be warned that the trail is not clearly marked and parts of it involve scrambling over rocks, sometimes using all four limbs!
It’s best to hire a guide. Tenacious hikers are rewarded with fabulous views over El Nido and the islands beyond the bay. The sight is well worth the effort.
Explore Underwater Worlds
The Philippines offer world-class snorkelling and diving. It was the first place I snorkelled in Southeast Asia and set the bar so high that nowhere else has managed to compare. If you decide to take a tour, Tour C is the best for snorkelling opportunities. Alternatively, you can simply grab a mask and swim off one of the beaches. The water is clear as glass, making visibility excellent.
The coral reefs around El Nido are exceptionally rich in marine life. Angelfish, clownfish, starfish, green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles are just a few of the colourful creatures you can expect to spot here. In addition to the impressive sea life, divers can also enjoy exploring myriad shipwrecks in the waters of Coron, just north of El Nido.
Enjoy the Canopy Walk
If the trek up Taraw Cliff sounds too taxing, the El Nido via Ferrata Canopy Walk is for you. This is a less challenging one-hour walk but with equally impressive views over El Nido Bay and beyond. The walk includes crossing a suspension bridge, which involves wearing a harness.
The canopy walk needs to be completed with a guide and safety equipment is included. There is an option to add on the Dreamcatcher experience, a web-like construction from which you can enjoy both panoramas and views from below!
Visit Nacpan Beach
One of the most impressive beaches in the north of Palawan is Nacpan Beach. Around a 40-minute drive from El Nido Town, you’ll need to hire a tricycle (the Filipino version of a tuk-tuk) or rent a scooter to get there. The last section of road is bumpy and makes for a rough ride but the journey is worth it.
The beach is a 4km sweep of powdery sand backed by green hills and coconut palms. The warm water is great for swimming but be sure to take extra care as the sea is a little rougher here than the gentle lapping waters of El Nido Bay.
Hike to Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls
For a change of scenery, head a little inland and enjoy the hike to Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls. The walk is fairly easy and passes gorgeous scenery and lush vegetation. The trail crosses several rivers so be prepared to get wet feet. The hike is around 40 minutes from the trailhead to the waterfall.
Swap salt water for fresh with a cooling swim in the pools or simply relax in the pretty surroundings. Around halfway between El Nido Town and Nacpan beach, a stop at the waterfall is a refreshing way to break the journey.
Watch the Sunset on the Beach
There’s nothing quite like watching the sun sink into the sea to end a beautiful day in paradise. Corong Corong Beach and Las Cabañas Beach provide the best scenery and vantage points for enjoying the sunset.
The beaches are around a 30-minute or one-hour walk respectively from El Nido Town. The sunsets I watched from Corong Corong beach were simply spectacular! Enjoy a sundowner at one of the beach bars as you soak up the view and the atmosphere.
Ride the Zipline
If you’re a thrill-seeker, you’ll be pleased to hear there is a more adrenaline-fueled activity at Las Cabañas beach in the form of a zipline. The 750m line will whizz you over to Depeldet Island across the bay.
Along the way, you can enjoy magnificent bird’s-eye views over the blue waters, sandy beaches and lush islands. For the most stunning vistas, time your flight for just before sunset when the scenery will be bathed in the soft light of golden hour.
Leave a Reply