“Limestone cliffs rising from water so clear you can count fish from a kayak, lagoons hidden behind walls of jungle-covered rock — El Nido is Palawan at its most dramatic and its most overrun.”
About El Nido
Named for the edible swiftlet nests still harvested from cliff caves by local climbers without ropes. The area was largely unknown until backpackers arrived in the early 2000s. Palawan was voted best island in the world by Conde Nast Traveler in 2014.
Overview El Nido sits at the northern tip of Palawan, hemmed in by limestone karst formations that jut out of the Bacuit Bay like a jaw full of broken teeth. The water is absurdly clear — snorkelling here you'll spot clownfish, sea turtles, and the occasional reef shark without even trying. The town itself is small and walkable but has expanded fast with guesthouses and restaurants lining the beachfront road.
Overview El Nido sits at the northern tip of Palawan, hemmed in by limestone karst formations that jut out of the Bacuit Bay like a jaw full of broken teeth.
The Story Behind It The name comes from the Spanish word for 'the nest', referring to the edible swiftlet nests harvested from the cliff caves — a Chinese delicacy that still gets collected by local climbers scaling the karsts without ropes. The area was largely unknown to international tourism until the early 2000s when backpackers started showing up for the island-hopping tours. Palawan was voted the best island in the world by Conde Nast Traveler in 2014 and El Nido took most of the credit.
What You'll Experience The island-hopping tours are sorted into Tours A through D, each hitting different lagoons, beaches, and snorkelling spots. Tour A is the classic — Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Shimizu Island — and it's the most popular for a reason but also the most crowded. The Small Lagoon entrance is a gap in the karst wall you kayak through, and inside its perfectly still water surrounded by vertical rock and jungle. Tour C has better snorkelling at the helicopter island reef. The 6am departures are worth the early alarm because by 10am the lagoons fill up with boats.
Getting There Flights from Manila to El Nido's Lio Airport take about 75 minutes. The cheaper option is flying to Puerto Princesa and taking the 5-6 hour van ride north along a road that's been paved but still has sections that'll rattle your teeth. Boats from Coron run seasonally but the crossing is rough.
Getting There Flights from Manila to El Nido's Lio Airport take about 75 minutes.
The Experience
Kayak through a gap in the karst wall into the Small Lagoon, snorkel over reef sharks at Shimizu Island, and watch the sunset turn the limestone formations orange from a bangka boat.
Why It Matters
The crown jewel of Philippine island tourism and the reason Palawan consistently tops global island rankings.
Why Visit
The lagoons are genuinely unlike anything else in Southeast Asia. The combination of karst geology, water clarity, and marine life creates something you can't replicate.
✦ Insider Tips
- 1
Book Tour A for a 6am departure — the lagoons are empty and the light is better.
- 2
The Small Lagoon entrance fee is separate from the tour price, about 200 pesos.
- 3
Bring reef-safe sunscreen. The coral here is still healthy and the local government actually enforces the rules.
- 4
The town has ATMs but they run out of cash on weekends. Bring enough pesos from Manila.
