The Philippines is inundated with beautiful island locations, so choosing just one spot for your special occasion, be it honeymoon, anniversary or birthdays (or all three!) will take some time as there is so much to choose from! Nonetheless, for us the choice was easily El Nido, to do two of the events listed above – our honeymoon in 2016 and our birthdays in 2022 (and probably a third visit on the cards in future to cover our anniversary!).
A municipality in the north of the island of Palawan, El Nido was so named ‘the nest’ by the Spanish when they arrived. Maybe the Spanish had an inkling of what this place was to become centuries later with a few high end resorts, set in a picture perfect paradise that many a honeymooner would make their love nests!
Getting there
Getting to El Nido is relatively easy these days with a 1hr direct flight from Manila with Airswift . With several flights a day and airline flexibility on which flight you take keep in mind if you get to the airport early you may be able to get a seat on an earlier flight…just smile brightly and ask nicely!
Where to stay
El Nido town is a fair sized place set on a long sandy beach, hemmed in by soaring limestone cliffs that are so distinctive to the islands that are spread around the north of Palawan. Amongst the sprawl of buildings you’ll find plenty of accommodation choices as well as restaurants and tours. But if you want to truly experience a luxurious getaway then your destination has to be one of the El Nido resorts that are strategically placed on their own islands out in Bacuit Bay.
We are very fortunate to have visited 3 of these wonderful spots and will take you through why they are a must do when coming to El Nido:
Pangulasian Island
Both for our Honeymoon back in 2016 and Lyssa’s Birthday in 2022, this is one of the best resorts in the Philippines and a picture perfect paradise. A small sized island, just a few kilometres long, populated with just 42 villas spread along the pure white beach or up in the canopy of the island’s little rainforest.
You might think that being on such a small island would soon have you running out of things to do, but just enjoying the amazing beach view from your villa will keep you busy for many hours. Our room was just what you want on a tropical island – a huge bedroom, complete with cocktail bar and resident bartender.
If you can tear yourself away from your room or the beach then do make some time to enjoy both the start and end of the day with the excellent breakfast, and likewise keep a slot open in your evening for Cocktail happy hour by the pool that is not to be missed!
The resort stay includes guided sunrise (that we were never up in time for!) and sunset tours that ascend into the jungle above, that reward you wish superb views of the El Nido archipelego
snorkeling tours of the house reef to meet the resident sharks, and self guided for the schools of fish that usually hang out in the shade of a moored boat
kayaking, hobby cat and paddleboarding (with or without umbrella)
One of the best inclusions are the half day tours that give you an almost private tour to big local sights, including:
Snake Island – named so for its shape, not its inhabitants! Where the low tide will reveal a natural sand bar and high tide gives a warm shallow sea to paddle in. This tour also stops at a sea cave for a bit of exploration.
The Big Lagoon, that at 8.30 am you will have pretty much to yourself to explore every nook, cranny and tunnel of love!
This excursion will also stop at Shimizu Island for some great snorkeling and Entalula Beach for golden sands, creative rock formations and beachside lunches sheltered under the canopy of the island forest.
The Small lagoon trip is indeed smaller, but no less perfect, again arrive early to enjoy it for yourself, floating through the hidden entrance and into the beautiful lagoon that is surrounded on all sides by walls of limestone.
This excursion will also take you via the ‘Hidden Lagoon’ (secrets and hiding are a big theme in El Nido) that is on the far side of Miniloc Island. Braving the coral entrance and clambering through a small hole in the limestone will reward you with a peaceful inner lagoon that, should you arrive early enough, will be just for you.
You will be really thankful for these trips, especially to the lagoons that get you there nice and early before the crowds of El Nido town turn up and cause boat and kayak traffic jams!
Lagen Island
On the opposite side of the bay the Lagen Island resort gives more of a James Bond supervillain lair feel (all the opulence but none of the menace!). The highlights here are the Water bungalows that are set in a shallow bay that is protected from the crashing waves of the sea outside, framed by limestone cliffs. Try to get a room between 109-115 to be on the sunny side of things that will also reward you with a beautiful sunset view at the end of the day.
The staff at Lagen are super enthusiastic and attentive, from their musical welcomes and farewells, to the excellent cocktails that Gamie will knock up for you during happy hour.
The buffet meals are excellent and if you have a special occasion there are multiple ways to enjoy; either by the pool, out on the dock or even, as we did for Matt’s birthday, getting your own private beach dinner that involves a night time boatride under the stars and your feet in the sand whilst being serenaded by the amazing team.
Day trip excursions from Lagen follow much the same itinerary as Pangulasian, although here you can also snorkel at the nearby beach; take a hike through the forest or take a kayak around the island (~3-4 hrs).
Miniloc Island
Billed as the adventure resort, Miniloc is the busy hub of activities that surround it. Next door to the Small and Large lagoons it gives perfect access to visit by kayak at sunrise when you can be sure that no one else will be there.
Miniloc also has a great reef explore with your snorkel and fins, along with the resident Jack fish who patrol ready for feeding time (in the mornings) and the huge school of Yellow Tail Snapper fish that are just asking to be swum through!
The resort has been newly refurbished, so everything looks pristine, and similar to Lagen has overwater bungalows from which you can relax and let the sounds of the see relax you!
More El Nido
Even with the included itineraries of the resorts there still remain a few places that are a must see whilst you are in El Nido. To get to these you will need to hire your own boat for the day…a little pricey, but well worth it in order to see:
The ‘Secret Beach‘, so named as approaching by boat you will be faced with a wall of rock, swimming down under the surface of the sea you will find an opening that you can swim through and then emerge into a hidden paradise…and if you are very lucky then you will be the only boat visiting and it will truly feel like a secret.
The ‘Hidden Beach‘ – another patch of perfect white sand that is hidden from view by rocks and islands in front. Depending on how your frame the picture it can indeed look hidden, but in reality half of ell Nido town will have descended on this spot, but the magic of the camera can take care of all these crowds!
But all good things come to an end, and it was soon time to head on the plane back to Manilla, already planning for our return here and to visit the resort that has so far eluded us…Apulit Island. Enjoy!!
