Journal destination
Stories from this city location. Explore published field notes, guided trips, and local perspectives.
The collection
01A day on the water in El Nido is a lesson in scale and patience: navigate narrow limestone channels, paddle into emerald lagoons and snorkel over thriving coral gardens—then climb a ridge for a sky-high view of it all.
02Tucked on a small beach in El Nido, Cudugnon Cave is less about flash and more about layers: limestone chambers, Neolithic finds and a quiet relationship with the sea. Visit as part of Tour B to combine history, snorkel stops and sandbar strolls into one easy, memorable day.
03A compact, powdery crescent in Bacuit Bay, Payong-Payong Beach is an ideal stop on El Nido’s classic Tour A—perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, and savoring a quieter slice of Palawan’s famed limestone scenery.
04Big Lagoon is El Nido’s defining natural stage: towering limestone walls, glassy water, and a narrow, kayak-friendly entrance. This guide blends how-to logistics with the sensory detail you need to book, pack, and experience it well.
05A compact island with a thriving reef, Shimizu Island is the sensible, soulful stop on El Nido’s classic Tour A—perfect for snorkeling, calm beaches, and dramatic limestone closeups. Read on for how to make the most of a half-day in Bacuit Bay.
06A small, palm-fringed beach in Bacuit Bay, Entalula Island rewards early boats and reef-friendly travelers: simple snorkeling, easy sandbars, and limestone caves nearby make it a polished stop on El Nido’s Tour B circuit.
07A palm-fringed crescent in the heart of Bacuit Bay, Seven Commandos Beach is the easy, essential stop on El Nido’s Tour A. Expect soft sand, clear snorkelable water, and the practical pleasures of a well-run island-hop.
08A private sand spit tucked beneath towering limestone near El Nido, Star Beach is where island-hopping slows down. Here’s how to get the most from a day between lagoons—snorkel tips, boat options, and local know-how.
09Tucked into the southern circuit of El Nido’s Tour C, Talisay Beach is a calm palate cleanser between the archipelago’s theatrical lagoons and secret coves—perfect for snorkeling, relaxed picnics, and low‑impact island time.
10When the tide pulls back in Bacuit Bay, Snake Island reveals a sinuous sandbar you can walk—an ephemeral walkway shaped by currents, coral, and wind. Join a Tour B or hire a private speedboat to time the low tide and experience El Nido’s most photogenic shoreline moment.
11A compact, sunlit island in Bacuit Bay, Helicopter Island (Dilumacad) offers effortless snorkeling, a quiet white-sand beach, and quick access from El Nido. Perfect for a half-day escape or as part of the classic Tour C island-hopping circuit.
12Slip into shadow and light at Cathedral Cave, a vaulted limestone chamber in El Nido’s Bacuit Archipelago. This story-driven guide pairs the sensory thrill of caverns and sandbars with practical advice for timing, gear, and sustainable travel.
13Hidden Beach is a small, sheltered cove in El Nido’s Bacuit Bay that requires a short swim or scramble to access. This guide explains why the cove deserves a place on your island-hopping itinerary and how to visit responsibly.
14A compact, cinematic island in the Bacuit Archipelago where a ruined white shrine, a hidden beach and reef-life collide—perfect for half-day island-hopping from El Nido.
15Small Lagoon condenses Palawan’s dramatic karst scenery into a quiet, jewel-toned pocket perfect for kayakers, snorkelers and anyone craving a calm, unforgettable cove. Get practical timing, tide tips, and what to pack for a day on Miniloc Island.
16Cut travel time and extend shore time: a private speedboat tour of El Nido’s lagoons lets you craft the perfect day of snorkeling, beach picnics, and cliff-walled lagoons away from the masses.