El Nido is the destination Condé Nast Traveler ranked among the 20 most beautiful beaches in the world. Sitting at the northern tip of Palawan, it is ringed by more than 45 limestone islands inside Bacuit Bay — a geography that produces emerald lagoons, hidden caves, and stretches of sand reachable only by boat. That combination makes El Nido one of the most rewarding natural destinations in Southeast Asia.
#1 Big Lagoon
Big Lagoon is the headline stop on Tour A and the most celebrated sight in El Nido. Sheer limestone walls and dense forest press in on all sides, and the water is clear enough to see the sandy floor below. Motorized boats are no longer permitted inside, so you reach it by kayak or by swimming — a rule that happens to make the whole experience quieter and more beautiful.
- Rent a kayak for 200 PHP from your tour boat before entering the lagoon
- Arrive early — before 9 a.m. the crowds are still thin
- Wear water shoes: the rocks between swimming areas are sharp
#2 Small Lagoon
Small Lagoon is physically smaller than Big Lagoon, but plenty of visitors call it the more striking of the two. To get in, you swim or kayak through a narrow gap in the rock at high tide — and what waits inside is essentially a private world: emerald water enclosed by towering limestone and green vegetation, with a small cave to explore. It produces one of the most-photographed shots in all of Palawan.
- You can enter by swimming through the gap or by kayak — check the tide level before you choose
- Watch the tides carefully: getting out during high tide can be tricky
- Bring a waterproof case for your camera and phone
#3 Secret Lagoon
Secret Lagoon sits hidden behind a large limestone wall. The only way in is to swim through a small gap in the rock during high tide — step inside and you find a compact pool that feels entirely cut off from the outside, ringed by high cliffs and dense green plants. The seclusion is the point, which is why this place earned the name El Nido's 'secret paradise.'
- The gap is wide enough to swim through during high tide
- Your guide will tell you when it is safe to enter and exit
- Wear a life jacket even if you are a confident swimmer — the rocks are sharp
#4 Shimizu Island
Shimizu Island is widely regarded as one of the best snorkeling spots on Tour A. Visibility in the emerald water reaches 10 metres, making the coral and fish easy to see without diving. On land, a small white-sand beach sits between limestone boulders — comfortable for those who want to skip the water and simply rest after the lagoons.
- Bring your own snorkel gear or rent it from the tour
- Do not touch the coral — guides enforce this rule firmly
- Water is clearest in the morning, before the northeast wind picks up
#5 Nacpan Beach
Nacpan is a 4-kilometre stretch of cream sand that has held on to its low-key character — coconut palms, blue water, and no big-resort crowds. It connects at one end to its sister beach, Calitang, forming what people call the Twin Beaches, a pairing that has put Nacpan on several lists of the most beautiful beaches in Asia. Restaurants and beach chairs line the sand for the full length.
- Renting a motorcycle (400–500 PHP) gives more flexibility than hiring a car
- Food stalls and beach-chair rentals run the entire beach
- Leave early and return by early afternoon — parts of the road are still unpaved; take it slowly
#6 Las Cabanas Beach (Marimegmeg Beach)
Las Cabanas — also called Marimegmeg Beach — has two things going for it: an orange sunset over Bacuit Bay, and a zipline that launches you 750 metres across the water to a small island in the middle. You can go seated or in the Superman position. Bars and restaurants line the beach and stay open into the evening, making this the natural spot for a sundowner after a day on the water. It is only 3 km from town.
- The zipline costs 800–1,000 PHP and closes at 5:30 p.m. — time your arrival to catch both the ride and the sunset
- Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available to rent along the shore
- Beachside restaurants run 200–500 PHP a dish
#7 El Nido Island Hopping Tour A
Tour A is El Nido's most popular boat tour, covering the four main highlights in a single day: Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, and Seven Commandos Beach. A stop midway through serves a freshly grilled seafood lunch on one of the islands. The whole trip runs 5–6 hours aboard a traditional Filipino bangka boat.
- Book Tour A a day ahead — cost is 1,200–1,500 PHP including food
- Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the coral
- Boats depart at 9 a.m. and return by 4 p.m. — staying near the pier the night before makes logistics easier
#8 El Nido Island Hopping Tour C
Tour C heads to the more remote corners of Bacuit Bay: Secret Beach (entered by swimming through a gap in the rock), Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine — ruins of a chapel on its own island — and Helicopter Island, named for the shape of the land mass. The atmosphere is entirely different from Tour A, which makes it the ideal second-day option for anyone who wants to see a different side of El Nido.
- Tour C runs longer than Tour A — allow 6–7 hours
- Secret Beach and Hidden Beach have shallower water, making them good for children and less-confident swimmers
- Matinloc Shrine charges a small entrance fee, around 100 PHP
Where to stay in El Nido for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in El Nido — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
Cauayan Boutique Private Island (formerly Cauayan Island Resort and Spa)
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details
El Nido Resorts Pangulasian Island
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details
Atalaya Resort El Nido
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details
Last Frontier Beach Resort
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details
Tours, tickets & activities in El Nido
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for El Nido, Palawan — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Before You Pack
El Nido is the kind of place that sticks with you — whether you paddled a kayak through a rock arch, floated above coral in 10-metre visibility, or watched the sun go down over Bacuit Bay from Las Cabanas. One trip rarely covers every spot, which is why a lot of visitors come back more than once.