The Ultimate Adventure Guide to El Nido, Philippines

If it is your first time visiting the Philippines, then this adventure guide to El Nido is precisely what you need. Its dramatic, enormous limestone cliffs, sparkling lagoons, and endless pristine beaches make it the ultimate destination for ocean lovers looking for a side of adventure.

So, let’s dive into the adventures that await you so you can make El Nido a stop on your Philippines itinerary. 

Where is El Nido? 

In short, El Nido covers an area of about 400 sq km (154 sq miles) and is located at the northern tip of Palawan Island. It’s a municipality of 45 islands and islets, so you have much to explore. 

But who knows what that means unless you have been there before? 

So let’s explain… 

Palawan is a long and narrow island in the western part of the Philippines, in the province of the same name. To the southeast, you have the Sulu Sea; to the northwest, you have the South China Sea. 

In relation to the capital city of Manila, Palawan Island is located to the southwest. 

The ultimate adventure activities in El Nido 

Island hopping 

You cannot visit El Nido without going on one of the four island hopping tours. From beautiful and preserved islands to sparkling clear lagoons and white sandy beaches, you will finish your day with many incredible memories. 

Below is a short description of what you can expect from each tour:

Tour A

This tour will take you around Miniloc Island to visit the Secret Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island and spend sunset at 7-Commando Beach. 

Tour B 

After departing El Nido Town, you will make your way to the white sandbank known as Snake Island. You will also visit Entalula Island, Pinagbuyutan Island, the Cathedral and Cudugnon Caves throughout the day. 

Tour C 

Enjoy your time at the Hidden and Secret Beaches before putting on your snorkel gear to witness the marine life at Matinloc Shrine. Later in the day, you will visit the magical Tapiutan and Helicopter Island. 

Tour D 

Be sure to have your swimmers so you can swim in the popular Small Lagoon before heading for a snorkel at Cadlao Island. This island hopping tour also includes a visit to Pasandigan Cove, Nat Nat Beach and Bukal Island. 

Pro tip: Most island hopping tours include drinking water and snorkel gear, as well as a delicious fresh lunch of chicken, fish, vegetables and fresh fruit. 

Hike Taraw Peak in El Nido Town

If you are a thrill seeker looking for an on land adventure in El Nido, hike to Taraw Peak. 

The starting point is located at a small passageway next to Skyline Bar. The hike can be challenging to navigate and a bit dangerous at times because you will have to climb up some vertical rock faces. Take a guide with you. 

While the hike to the summit only requires 30 to 45 minutes, you’ll need to channel your inner billy goat. Be prepared to tackle extreme humidity, sharp, jagged rocks and two vertical sections. 

At the top, approximately 250 meters (820.2 feet) above ground, you will be rewarded with phenomenal views over El Nido and the entire Bacuit Bay. 

Pro tip: Heading out before sunrise is the best time to depart — it’s less humid. It also means you will be back in time for your island hopping tour or enjoy a full day at the beach. 

Take a motorbike to Nacpan Beach 

While everyone talks about the pristine beaches on the island-hopping tours, you shouldn’t overlook the beauty of those that can be reached by land from El Nido Town. 

Picture a four-kilometer (2.48 miles) stretch of white-speckled sand, swaying palm trees and a warm, blue ocean. 

Nacpan Beach is postcard-worthy. 

If you rent a motorbike (or moped), it will take 45 minutes to reach Nacpan Beach from El Nido Town. Be cautious — some of the roads have potholes. 

What should you do when you arrive? 

Put your beach towel down, apply 50+ sunscreen and soak in the sun rays before having a dip in the calm sea. 

When you get tired of relaxing on the beach (if that’s even possible!), take a stroll along the shore or grab a bite to eat from one of the restaurants. You can even organize a 1-hour snorkeling tour. 

Stay around until sunset to take in the romantic colors in the sky while enjoying a drink from one of the bars along the beachfront. 

Pro tip: If you don’t feel comfortable riding a motorbike, a shuttle service runs at various times of the day from El Nido Town. 

Surf the waves at Duli Beach

El Nido isn’t as famous for surfing as Siargao Island. However, that shouldn’t stop you from riding some waves. Duli Beach is the only beach in El Nido where you can catch a break from November to April. 

This two-kilometer (1.24 miles) stretch of beach is relatively undeveloped, besides a few local restaurants and a small beach resort. 

It’s an excellent spot for beginners due to its sandy beach break, and if it is your first time, you can book a lesson with an instructor. Otherwise, you can rent boards on the beach, including foam longboards and shortboards. 

You can get there by motorbike or car. It’s just after Nacpan Beach, about one hour north of El Nido Town.  

Go kayaking 

Next up on the adventure guide to El Nido is a kayaking trip. 

The beauty of renting a kayak is that you can explore some magnificent spots without being on an organized tour. 

If you start your kayaking journey from El Nido Beach, you can visit the picturesque Paradise Beach at a leisurely pace — about 40 minutes. Or you could go to Nat Nat Beach, which takes about an hour to paddle to, but in return, you will be rewarded with stunning clear blue water, beautiful coral and soft sand. 

If starting from Corong Corong Beach, there are a few options to choose from, including Lapus Lapus Beach, Papaya Beach and Ipil Ipil Beach, which is only accessible by boat or kayak, so you may be lucky enough to have it to yourself. 

Try scuba diving 

The last thing on our adventure guide to El Nido is to book a scuba diving trip. There are many operators located within El Nido Town. 

Since the area is a Marine Reserve Park, you can see all types of marine life, including parrotfish, sea turtles, moray eels, stingrays, and loads of colorful corals.

March, April, and May offer the best visibility, while in December, January, and February, you can spot whale sharks and manta rays. 

Some of the best diving sites include South Miniloc, Twin Rocks, Puglugaban and Nat-Nat Reef. 

Weather in El Nido 

The beauty of planning a trip to El Nido is that the weather is warm year-round, with averages of 22°C (71.6°F) and a maximum temperature average of 33°C (91.4°F). 

There are, however, two main seasons to be aware of. 

The first is the dry season, from November to May. During these months, you can expect clear skies and calm seas. It’s the perfect time to go island hopping as the water temperature varies between 24°C (75.2°F) and 26°C (78.8°F). 

For scuba divers, visit between March and May to take advantage of the fantastic underwater visibility, which ranges from 10 to 30 meters (32.8 to 98.4 feet). 

June to October is the rainy season. While it’s unlikely that a typhoon will come past El Nido, you should expect heavy rainfall and strong winds, especially during July and August. 

If you can only visit during the rainy season, try to plan your trip for July or October when the weather stays between 24°C (75.2°F) and 31°C (87.8°F), but the rainfall is less. 

Packing list essentials for El Nido, Philippines 

Packing for a holiday to a tropical destination should not be stressful. Since you’ll be spending most of your time on the beach in your swimsuit, there’s not much you will need to bring.

The Philippines is a relaxed country, so swimsuits, cover-ups, flip-flops and loose, breathable clothing will be your best friend in a beachy destination like El Nido.  

Below are a few items beyond clothing you should find room for in your suitcase:

• International adapter: El Nido isn’t a large city like Manila, so make sure you have an adapter that can charge all your devices.
• Dry bag: Since you’re going island hopping, having a dry bag means you can bring your phone and camera and know it will stay dry. 
• Travel size first-aid kit: While you hopefully won’t need this, it’s always best to have paracetamol, motion sickness tablets, bandages and gauze tape. It won’t take up much space in your luggage. 
• Power bank: If you enjoy long days at the beach, pack a power bank so you can conveniently charge your phone. 
• Microfiber/Turkish towel: Some accommodations will provide towels, but it’s best to bring a small, light one as well. These towels are thin, don’t take up much space, and dry much quicker than regular ones.  

Map of El Nido, Palawan

There are a lot of stunning locations in and around Palawan. This map will help you get a feel for the municipality. 

How to get to El Nido 

The most common route for people traveling to El Nido is a 1 hour and 30-minute plane ride from the capital city of Manila to El Nido. 

If you’re already traveling around the Philippines, below are a few common routes you can take. 

From Coron to El Nido, you have the option of taking a short 40-minute flight or a five-hour tourist ferry. Coron is another popular destination located in the province of Palawan, known for its vibrant coral reefs, World War II shipwrecks, and limestone cliffs. 

From Puerto Princesa to El Nido, you can take a minivan, which will take five hours. While there is an airport in El Nido, there are fewer daily flights than those arriving in Puerto Princesa, the capital city of Palawan. 

You could also find yourself traveling from Cebu to El Nido. After exploring Cebu, known for its vibrant city life alongside picturesque beaches, you must take an easy 1-hour and 45-minute flight. 

Happy Travels to El Nido

Now that you have the ultimate adventure guide to El Nido, it’s time to start planning your exciting trip! 

There is so much to see and do in El Nido. If time permits, spend at least five nights exploring this part of the Philippines. 

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