There are four options that you can take when you go island hopping in El Nido. The tour price ranges from P700-P900($16-$20)/person inclusive of lunch, tour guide and boat rental. Typically, it takes 7-8 hours to visit all the islands in each tour and I think this is enough time to enjoy the sun, sea and sand.
Tour A: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Simizu Island, Seven Commando
Tour B: Pangalusian Island, Snake Island, Cadugnon Cave, Pinagbuyutan Island, Cathedral Cover
Tour C: Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Star Beach, Tapiutan Strait
Tour D: Cadlao Lagoon, Helicopter Island, Paradise Beach, Natnat Beach, Bucal Island
Last Tuesday, I went island hopping (Tour A) to see the beauty of the neighbouring islands. I never thought that I signed up for a big surprise. The islands are so gorgeous that I’m thinking of cancelling my trip and stay here in paradise.
Small Lagoon, El Nido
Our first destination was the Small Lagoon. The boat docked near a small opening where you would have to swim to get inside. It’s a nice, calm body of emerald, clear water.
Big Lagoon, El Nido
Afterwards, we then went to the Big Lagoon which is being taken cared of by the Miniloc Island management. There’s a small floating platform inside where a private romantic dinner for two is usually being held. According to our boatman, there used to be a dugong in that area but due to lack of funds, the management decided to transfer the dugong to another location.
Secret Lagoon, El NIdo
We had lunch on our next destination. The beach where you can find the Secret Lagoon is definitely my favourite among all the islands that we went to. Just like the small lagoon, you have to go thru a small hole on the rocks to see the secret lagoon. Nothing much to see inside but it’s nice to relax there especially if the beach gets crowded with tourists.
Shimitzu Island, El Nido
After lunch we then went to Shimizu Island to snorkel. Too bad my underwater camera stopped working a couple of weeks ago and I wasn’t able to capture the amazing variety of fishes and other sea creatures that I saw. The coral seemed to have been destroyed though by constant dropping of anchor in the area but the good thing is, there’s still an abundance of fishes around. I even saw some cuttlefishes and sea slugs and of course I saw Nemo (clownfish).
Seven Commando, El Nido
Seven Commando was our last destination. After being under the hot sun for more than six hours, my skin seemed to be complaining already. But of course, I didn’t mind it and still basked under the sun, walked around to explore the vicinity and snorkelled afterwards to cool off. Seven Commando has a long stretch of white sand and clear water and everyone who visits this place will definitely be mesmerized by its beauty.
If you have ample time and budget, I suggest that you go thru all the island hopping activity. Don’t be afraid to bargain hard because some boatmen do give discounts especially to their repeat customers.
Photo Credits: Pics by Frameless World
7commando is the best! dyan ako kumuha ng water nung naubusan ako sa ipil beach
Flip, in the nicest possible way, I hate you lol. I’m so incredibly jealous and yet it brings back so many memories of Thailand as well. Lovely to see you exploring the local area =)
you should travel to Palawan, Philippines in the future Toni… its not that expensive and yet it’s incredibly beautiful… i want to have a small beach hut here
beautiful places and these are all just in El Nido? I SHOULD visit Palawan fast!
These locations certainly do look very inviting and relaxing. And very cheap also. Palawan is now on my list of travel places.
El Nido is definitely one of the best beach destination there is…
one thing I hate about El Nido is leaving it!
Oh, wow, that looks amazing. Those pictures are exactly what I dream about while stuck in my office!
we also went there last Feb. And we’re planning to go back again this year.:)
My friend and I took the package A and I was so envious when everybody in the boat jumped in the water and swam to the Secret Lagoon! I was not confident with my swimming skills yet so I wore a life jacket. Hay, I really miss El Nido.
For me everything about El Nido is insanely gorgeous
Hope matuloy plan namin na tumira dito permanently.
i hope matuloy plan mo claire to live here… this place is so gorgeous…
I have been to Coron and Puerto Princesa but not to El Nido yet. Thanks for sharing this, dapat ma ischedule na ito:-D
flip, i am reserving the best for last. my plan… 1 month around Palawan. with so many beautiful islands in Palawan, i couldn’t possibly afford a four day stay. I’ll let you know once i’ve set everything.
i agree with you jerik one month is better than 4 days… i like it so much to the point of im thinking of living there
I thought Secret Beach was the most amazing place I’ve ever been to.
ive never been to secret beach but im sure it looks beautiful too… my fave in el nido is nacpan and calitang…
All of these locations look absolutely gorgeous! I can’t wait to go to the Palawan islands. Did you get to ride in the canoe with the shade? I don’t know if I can stay under the hot sun for too long, let alone the whole day. Though I am willing to suffer through it, if it gets me to these places.
palawan is really gorgeous, we didnt rent a kayak, we just rented a boat (covered) instead to go around the islands… there’s a shop in el nido town that rents out kayaks
hi everyone been to el nido so many times and never get tired roaming its islands ü aside from island hopping ders also other things 2 do like rock climbing & visiting some of the water falls ü aside frm el nido coron & puerto princesa u can also try isla arena in narra palawan a sea turtle sanctuary and cackatoo ü also ders san vicente wer it has a 4 plus kilometers of white sand shore line dey said sam1 will be developing it to be the new boracay ü
- arvin frm puerto princesa city, Palawan
thanks for the info… ill definitely visit san vicente when i go back to palawan