El Nido Island, Palawan

El Nido (officially the Municipality of El Nido) is a first class municipality and managed resource protected area[3] in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. It is about 420 kilometres (260 mi) southwest of Manila,[4] and about 238 kilometres (148 mi) northeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital.

Places of interest

From the towering marble cliffs and enchanting lagoons to its 100 white sandy beaches and lush jungle, El Nido is one of the top tourist destinations in Palawan, which is often referred to as the Philippines' Last Frontier. In the November–December 2007 issue of the National Geographic Traveler's magazine, Palawan was chosen as one of the best travel destinations in the world, and particularly, it recommended El Nido and the Calamianes Islands.

Bacuit Bay

The bay is dotted with islands and islets, most of which are inhabited. Its clear blue waters are teeming with marine life. It is home to dugongs, turtles, manta rays, species of fishes, coral reefs, and the occasional whale sharks. There are over 30 dive sites ranging in depth from six to more than thirty meters.

Cadlao Island

It is the largest island in El Nido, occupying a land area of 10.06 square kilometers. Among all islands, it is the closest to town proper and has the highest peak that towers up to 640 meters above sea level. It is known for its white sand beaches, gradually sloping sea floor, hidden lagoons, and nature trails through its lush forest cover. One of these nature trails leads to the charming saltwater Makaamo Lagoon. Surrounded by mangroves, the lagoon is best enjoyed in silence at sunrise or sunset when the birds feed.

There are a number of beaches on Cadlao, including that at Bocal Point, Natnat, and Paradise Beach on the southern side of the island. Sabang Beach in the northeast offers good snorkeling opportunities, though some visitors may recognize it as one of the settings for the Scandinavian TV show Robinson Expedisjonen, the predecessor to Survivor.

Dilumacad Island

This 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.

El Nido Resorts

El Nido Resorts refers to the resort complex operated by Ten Knots Development Corporation (TKDC), which is owned by the Asian Conservation Company (ACC).

TKDC, the biggest private sector employer in El Nido, cooperates with the Philippine government in environmental conservation and management. At present, TKDC operates in two islands of El Nido namely, the Miniloc Island and the Lagen Island.

The said establishment has won numerous citations both locally and internationally. The January 2008 issue of international magazine Travel + Leisure, published by the American Express Co. (which partnered with Conservation International), listed "El Nido Resorts" as "conservation-minded places on a mission to protect the local environment." Travel + Leisure’s 20 Favorite Green scored El Nido Resorts' protection of Palawan’s giant clam gardens and the re-introduction of endangered Philippine cockatoos: "8. El Nido Resorts, Philippines: Guest cottages on stilts are set above the crystalline ocean. The resorts are active in both reef and island conservation." In 2009, El Nido Resorts won Wild Asia's Responsible Tourism Award for the "Mid to Small" accommodation category for its excellent sewage treatment facility that prevents waste water from contaminating the surrounding water systems, tree-planting activities to protect the municipality's watersheds, and skills training for local communities through its own foundation.

Activities offered at El Nido Resorts include lagoon tours, cave tours, mangrove river tours, bottom fishing, bird watching, hat making, picnic lunches, sunset cruising, kayaking, windsurfing, hobiecat sailing, snorkeling, diving and, with prior arrangement, dive courses.

Miniloc Island

Miniloc Island, where the first resort in El Nido was established, started as a diving station for Japanese and European tourists. The tranquil turquoise-green waters of its orchid-lined limestone walls Big and Small Lagoons showcases a kaleidoscope of marine life. Scientists believe that these lagoons were actually caves which abound in these islands. The roofs of these caves must have collapsed millions of years ago, and these lagoons have emerged in their stead.

The Miniloc Island Resort, renimiscent of a coastal village, is set in a cove with a backdrop of sheer limestone cliffs. The resort has a total of 50 rooms of varying types accommodations and its facilities include a restaurant located at the clubhouse, a boutique, video room, game area, Pavilion Bar, and a conference room that can accommodate up to 40 persons theater-style and 30 persons classroom-style. It has a complete diving and snorkeling facilities, as well as, kayaks, aqua bikes, windsurf, and hobie cat. The end of the resort's pier is a great place for snorkeling where guests can swim alongside 3-foot-long (0.91 m) groupers and hundreds of sergeant majors, damsel fish, fusiliers, and other multi-colored tropical fishes.

Lagen Island

The island hosts a high diversity of birds including almost all of the species endemic to Palawan. The Lagen trail is one of the best sites for birdwatching, more rewarding during the early morning or towards late afternoon. Its Leta-Leta Cave was an important burial site of the Late Neolithic Age, where a collection of stone and shell artifacts, and sophisticated pottery, such as the "Yawning Jar,"[45] and nephrite adzes and axes were recovered. Other materials include stone ornaments and shell beads. It was excavated by Dr. Robert Fox in 1965. It is also one of the pitstops of the 5th Season of The Amazing Race.

In one of its cove, which is fringed by a lush forest and limestone walls, lies the Lagen Island Resort, the most luxurious exclusive resort in the area. The resort complex has a total of 51 rooms of varying types of accommodation, a 12 x 25 meter swimming pool, designed with an even depth of 4 feet so as not to touch the roots of trees that lie underneath. Its clubhouse is the air-conditioned main dining area where buffet and a la carte meals are served. On the lower level of the clubhouse are the boutique, game area, library, clinic, and conference room that can accommodate up to 70 persons theater-style and 60 persons classroom-style.

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.

Vigan Island

Located near Pangulasian Island, it is also referred to as, "Snake Island," because of the fine natural sandspit (s-shaped sandbar) that "snakes" off it shores. The sandspit is clearly visible only when the tide is low. On both sides of the sandspit are shallow swimming areas.

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.

Matinloc Island

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,[35] 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.[35] According to local legend, this beach inspired Alex Garland's novel The Beach, which was written while the author was in El Nido.

Aside from the Secret Beach, the island is also famous for the Kulasa Beach, a 100-meter beach strip of fine white sand located at one of its coves. The sea floor surrounding the beach slopes gradually and the water deepens only after about 10 meters.

There are four dive sites around the island with the one at the south tip of Matinloc being the deepest at 39 meters.

Pinasil Island

The island has a cathedral-like cavern accessible by dinghy and kayak. Its cool interior is lit at certain times of the day by sunlight coming through an opening at its peak. This one of important sites for the busyadors or the birds' nest gatherers.

Aberawan River

Aside from its several islands and beaches, tourists can also enjoy a mangrove tour along the Aberawan River where they can watch egrets roost among the mangrove trees at the mouth of the river.

Ille Cave

12,000 years ago, El Nido was inhabited already by humans. Archaeologists found human and animals bones, potteries and even traces of 8,000 year old cremation at Ille Cave. Ille is located at New Ibajay, a 45-minute drive from the town center, and is frequented by tourists.

Población (Town proper)

Nestled around the towering marble and limestone cliffs and green hills, the town proper is a thriving tourist center where most cottages, bars, and souvernir shops can be found.

Balay Tubay

A 70-year old house turned into a bar along Calle Real where paintings and handicrafts of local artists are put on display. Every night, live music is performed there.