Holiday in El Nido

About El Nido

El Nido at the northern tip of Palawan is what most people imagine as the perfect tropical paradise — and even more. Massive black limestone cliffs rise from crystal-clear water, hidden lagoons can only be accessed through narrow rock crevices, and white sandy beaches lie concealed between rocks that look like they are from a fantasy film. The Bacuit Archipelago off El Nido consists of 45 islands that form the heart of the experience. The famous island-hopping tours (A, B, C, and D) each explore different lagoons, beaches, and snorkeling spots. Tour A with the Big and Small Lagoon is the most popular and breathtaking — you paddle through a narrow rock crevice into a hidden lagoon with emerald green water, surrounded by towering limestone walls. The Secret Beach is a small beach hidden behind a rock wall and can only be accessed through an underwater opening — you literally swim through a hole in the rock and find a hidden beach with overhanging cliffs. Snake Island (named for its shape, not because of snakes) has a natural sandbar that connects two islands at low tide. The underwater world is equally impressive: giant sea turtles, colorful coral gardens, clownfish in anemones, and occasionally reef sharks reward snorkelers and divers. The biodiversity in the Sulu Sea is among the highest in the world. El Nido has retained its rustic charm — the streets are dusty, the power occasionally goes out, and the internet is slow. But that is exactly what makes it appealing: here, nature takes center stage, not comfort. In the evenings, you sit with a rum and cola at a beach bar, watching the sunset over the rock formations and forgetting that the rest of the world exists.