El Nido Philippines is about 420 kilometers southwest of Manila, and about 238 kilometers northeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital.
El Nido Philippines has over 50 beaches to discover, also find enchanting lagoons with tranquil turquoise-green water, caves that can take you to hidden beaches, and a very diverse variety of wildlife. The limestone cliffs of El Nido were naturally carved out of extensive and thick layers of coralline deposits. They formed 250 million years ago in the shallow sea covering the area that North Vietnam and South China now occupy. These layers slowly rose from the sea as a result of the collision of India and mainland China about 60 million years ago.
El Nido really is a magical place. It is a truly relaxing and inspiring place; Alex Garland wrote "The Beach" while living here.
El Nido Philippines has over 50 beaches to discover, also find enchanting lagoons with tranquil turquoise-green water, caves that can take you to hidden beaches, and a very diverse variety of wildlife. The limestone cliffs of El Nido were naturally carved out of extensive and thick layers of coralline deposits. They formed 250 million years ago in the shallow sea covering the area that North Vietnam and South China now occupy. These layers slowly rose from the sea as a result of the collision of India and mainland China about 60 million years ago.
El Nido really is a magical place. It is a truly relaxing and inspiring place; Alex Garland wrote "The Beach" while living here.
What to see and do in El Nido
- Small Lagoon Located on the cove of Miniloc Island. As you enter a small swim through hole on board a kayak or swimming through, you will see the tranquil turquoise-green waters of Small Lagoon. Dont miss the private pool in the innermost part of the lagoon.
- Big Lagoon a visit to Big Lagoon is a running tour on board the outrigger boat, approaching the lagoon in the middle of karst limestone formations you are welcomed by water so clear and full of marine life. Big lagoon is a breeding ground for fishes and crustaceans.
- Matinloc is a local term for "beautiful" boasts of two spectacular snorkeling areas: Kalmung Point and Kulasa Beach. Matinloc Island, the longest slim island in El Nido, has a secret beach, which is a pocket of white sand beach at the corner of a sinkhole,that is inaccessible by boat and surrounded by steep rock walls. To reach it, divers must swim underwater through a narrow crevice in a rock wall. At noon, the sun streams in through the opening, allowing a play of light and shadow against its limestone walls. The beach floor drops abruptly. According to local legend, this beach inspired Alex Garland's novel The Beach, which was written while the author was in El Nido.
- Entalula Island is one of the most romantic spots in El Nido, Entalula is magical because of its pristine beach with bent coconut trees, and the colorful marine life in its coral reef. Activities offered are snorkeling, diving, water sports activities and rock climbing, at certain times of the year.
- Snake Island is one of El Nido’s main attractions for its S-shaped sandbar that stretches across the waters connecting itself to mainland Palawan. It is just right behind Bacuit Bay, the home of different marine species, and the white sand beaches of Pangalusian island
- Simizu Island is an island with stunning limestone cliffs where swiftlet nest and produce the much sought after bird's nest soup, believed by asians to have healing powers, also home to a variety of Marine life. There are a lot of different fishes that you can see here, making snorkeling a lot more fun! From small to medium, to large sizes of fish, and from stripes to colorful fishes
- Pangalusian Island it has one of the widest stretches of powdery white beaches in El Nido, which is very ideal for sun bathing, sunset viewing, and other beach activities. The waters fronting the beach are clusters of coral reefs that make this area a good snorkeling and diving site. A trail located in the middle of the island is a good place for birdwatching, especially during early mornings and late afternoons. The trail ends at the peak of the island and provides and an excellent 360-degree view of the Bacuit Bay and nearby islands.
- Cudugnon Point it is an important anthropological site, where jewelry and pottery dating back to the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 BC) were yielded. The anthropologists believe that the cave dwellers were from Borneo, and travelled across the ancient land bridge that connected Palawan from Borneo. The crevices of its cave roof are inhabited by barn swallows and insectivorous bats.
- Helicopter Island has a beautiful white sand beach stretching to some 300 meters that is ideal for picnic lunches during island-hopping trips. There is an underwater tunnel at its northern side and a fringing reef on its southern end. The island is also called Helicopter Island because its limestone cliffs resemble that of a helicopter when it is viewed from a considerable distance.
- Pinagbuyutan Island has soft powdery white sand comparable to the world's best beaches. The water is shallow for about a couple of meters from the shore and then a few meters away you will see a snorkeling area full of fishes. Get captivated by the emerald green color of the water and the phenomenal seascape fronting this island.
Where to eat?
Balay Tubay | Artcafe | florlits | La Salangane | lonesome carabao lounge | og resto bar | marbers | ric sons | sea slugs | squidos | skyline