Island Hopping: El Nido, Palawan Tour A and B

El Nido lies in the northern most part of Palawan and with its land area of 465.1 square kilometers (as per wikipedia) hold the most beautiful beaches, extremely beautiful lagoons, and picturesque islands & islets in the Philippines.

And as I promised on my previous blog post where I featured our combination tour on C and D, I'm now giving you the other half of our tour wherein we explored A and B. This is another combination tour prepared by Northern Hope Tours. If our tour on C and D makes my eyes pop with the beautiful sites, Tour A and B took my breath away. El Nido really has a lot, lot, lot to offer when it comes to tourist attraction.

Alright. Enough with the introduction and let's start your 2nd half of virtual tour on the beautiful islands of El Nido!

Small Lagoon

In order to explore Small Lagoon, you'll have to passed through a crack between rocks. Don't worry because the crack/hole is much bigger compared to Hidden Beach. However tour boats can't still get in it so you'll have to swim to it or use kayak to explore the area. Small Lagoon is enclosed by colossal marble walls. It is also divided into different chambers. I suggest you explore its innermost part, where it is much peaceful and less crowded.

Big Lagoon

Seeing the wide entrance of Big Lagoon really excites me as its entrance has this beautiful rock formation. And when we were finally inside it, it was breathtaking and priceless. I felt an indescribable serenity. When people got to see the Big Lagoon, they'll probably say that they already saw what they came for in El Nido.

Unlike in Small Lagoon, tour boats can passed through the entrance of Big Lagoon so just sit back, relax and enjoy the view while exploring the site.

Now this is what I call a Grand Entrance (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

More tourist at Big Lagoon (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

One of the best site and view in El Nido (photo from Julius Magdasoc)

Secret Lagoon

Secret Lagoon is located on one of the island in El Nido. I think it was so called Secret Lagoon is not just only because it can be found at the edge of the  island but also because it has this small entrance that when you see it, you'll not think that on its other side, there's this small lagoon where people can enjoy some private and shady swim. By the way, its opening is much smaller than the entrance of Hidden Beach.

We also had our lunch on this island.

I'm the king of the world!!! (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

Parking area of Secret Lagoon (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

Mighty and big boulder in the lagoon (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

Explore the other side (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

Snake Island

I know what you're thinking but you're wrong. The island is called Snake Island not because it is nested by snakes but its is because of the natural sandspit (an s-formed sand bar) which connects 2 islands. People can island hop from one island to another island through feet during low tide as this sand bar is only visible on low tide. Too bad because when we went there, it was already high tide. 

There is also a view deck on the island. One must trek 5 to 10 mins in order to reach the said view deck. The whole sand bar that connects Snake Island to another island is visible when you're up there. You'll also love the view from the view deck.

Famous sand bar of El Nido, Palawan (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

Those people are actually using that sand bar to island hop (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

Other side of the view deck (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

Cudugnon Cave

I really admire the people who discovered the spots in El Nido, Palawan as most of them were hidden and enclosed. One of them is Cudugnon Cave. Just like Hidden Beach, Secret Lagoon and Small Lagoon, the entrance of Cudugnon Cave is small. You have to crawl plus roll in order to get inside. The cave isn't big and can be explored in less than half an hour. It has interesting rock formations and story as it is believed that this cave serves as a burial site during the Neolithic period.

Photo op inside Cudugnon Cave (photo from Rodel Bianan)

Cathedral Cave

I have nothing much to say to this place as we only went there to have a picture of it (and selfies) because this cave can't be explored and I don't know the reason why. People are only allowed on its entrance/opening.

The tall entrance of Cathedral Cave (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

Selfie at the entrance of Cathedral Cave (photo from Rodel Bianan)

Papaya Beach

As for our last spot to visit, we went to Papaya Beach. It is where people can enjoy playing beach volleyball or just rest on a hammock installed in the island. It was our chill time. Some of us did play volleyball, some did kayaking, and others done snorkeling (including myself). The underworld of this beach is really alive and fascinating. I saw different species of fishes, corals and plants. We even reach the other side of the island as we really explored the whole area while snorkeling. 

Chilling time at Papaya Beach (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

Beach volleyball at the shore of Papaya Beach (photo from Rodel Bianan)

Now that you've reach the end of your virtual tour on combination Tour A and B. I just hope that you enjoyed it. If you missed out our combination tour C and D, just click this link: Combination Tours C and D in El Nido, Palawan. And if I have influence you to see El Nido yourself, this blog post might help you on planning your own trip: Island Hopping and Tours in El Nido, Palawan.

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Island Hopping: El Nido, Palawan Tour C & D

El Nido is also considered as a top tourist destination in the Philippines. It houses the nicest beaches, islands and lagoons in the country and it is now gaining popularity on both local and foreign tourists.

Since I've already gave you an idea on how to book tours in El Nido and also suggested tours and accommodation on my previous post [Click Here], well its time for me to share on you our tour on those exquisite beaches, lagoons and islands of El Nido, Palawan. We only stayed in El Nido for three days (2 1/2 days to be exact) so instead of availing single tour each day, we decided to do a combination tour which will save time and will cover more spots of El Nido despite the time constraint. And as for this blog post, I'll be featuring the Tour C plus Tour D prepared by Northern Hope Tours. So sit back, relax and just keep that mouse ball rolling!

Helicopter Island

What can you say about its shape?

Helicopter Island is also called as Dilumacad Island. The island gained its name from its shape. From a distance, the shape of this island resembles to the shape of a helicopter. On one side, people can enjoy snorkeling and see fringing reef and different kind of fishes. It is also ideal for beach bumming even in the afternoon because of the massive mountain and rock formations of this island as it block the sun rays.

A closer look of the island

A nice day to swim!

Selfie time!

Hidden Beach

I consider Hidden Beach as one of the best site in El Nido. I believe it is so called Hidden Beach because this beach is literally hidden between 2 colossal rock formations. If you'll look at it from afar, the rock formation on the island/shore turned into a background which appears to connect the 2 colossal rocks. Making an illusion that it is one tall wall and a dead end. However, getting closely to the beach, you'll see that there is a passage.

From afar, that white sand is not visible and all those walls look flat

Matinloc Shrine

"Matinloc" is a local term for beautiful. This island offers an awesome view of some neighboring islands and islets in El Nido. Although the way on the viewing deck is kind of dangerous as it is not cemented and the improvised stairs is not furnished, I recommend that you still go for it and risk it as the view up there is really worth it. Just take extra caution when you'll try it.

Also, a shrine was built in the island in1982 to honor the blessed Virgin Mary which later they called the Shrine of Our Lady of Matinloc.

A port at Matinloc Shrine (photo from Aj Maisog)

Breathtaking view at Matinloc's view deck (photo from Aj Maisog)

Another shot from the view deck (photo from Rodel Bianan)

Food trip prepared by our boatmen (photo from Rodel Bianan)

Yup, they know a lot about food art (photo from Rodel Bianan)

How can we eat something this cute? (photo from Aj Maisog)

Left (photo from Rodel Bianan) | Right - The shrine of the Virgin Mary (photo from Aj Bianan)

Groupfie before we left Matinloc (photo from Aj Maisog)

Secret Beach

Secret Beach is one of the spot in El Nido that WOW-ed me. I was really amazed of its beauty and secrecy. Yup, that's right. I was amazed on how the people of Palawan discovered this beach. It is because in order to witness the beautiful beach of Secret Beach, one must swim into a small hole. The entrance is in between rocks with a hole. Boat couldn't fit in or even go near the hole due to strong current so one must swim in order to see the secret beach. The water is really deep and the wave here is pretty strong so it is suggested to wear life vest going inside.

Once you're inside, you'll be amaze. The water is calm, warm and waist deep. It's like a paradise in a tiny form.

** Still waiting for my friend with Go Pro to upload our photos at Secret Beach

Cadlao Lagoon

Cadlao Lagoon's water is mostly shallow therefore it is a perfect site for swimming and snorkeling. So gear up those goggles & flippers and explore wonderful creatures and corals underneath this lagoon. And since this is a lagoon expect that the water here is calm. So aside from swimming and snorkeling, other suggested activity here is kayaking. With its aqua blue water and towering limestone rocks one will surely have a nice chill time while paddling around the lagoon.

Welcome to Cadlao Lagoon (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

Swim, Kayak and Snorkeling time! (photo from Julius Magdasoc)

Kayaking with Ius  (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

Bukal Island

As for our last stop on Tour C and D, we visited the Bukal Island (also called as Bukal Beach). This island is also known as a snorkeling site as there are amazing underwater creature in this part of El Nido. Also not to mention the beautiful coral garden which can be found even on the shallow part of the beach.

Foreign Tourists we met during this trip  (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

Final swim that day  (photo from Mariz Marcelo)

There you have it. That's the end of our combination Tour C and D in El Nido, Palawan. I hope you enjoyed your virtual tour on 2 out of 4 tours in El Nido. For the second half of our exploration, you may refer to this link. It features our Combination Tour A and B to the beautiful island of El Nido: Island Hopping: El Nido, Palawan Tour A and B. And if you are planning to visit it El Nido, this blog post might help you out: Island Hopping and Tours in El Nido, Palawan.

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Island Hopping and Tours in El Nido, Palawan

The province of El Nido in Palawan has been globally recognized for its exquisite natural ecosystem. It is also known as the "BEST" beach and island hopping destination in the Philippines. I could still remember when I had a chance to talk to a group of Europeans (I forgot where exactly in Europe they were from) when I was in El Nido. Since they'll be staying in the Phippines for 2 days, I asked one of them, among the 81 provinces in the Philippines why did they chose to visit El Nido? And she answered that it was referred to her by her Malaysian friend who's been in the Philippines and when she googled it, she was mesmerized by the place beauty right away. So she asked other of her friends to go with her and they booked a flight. By that, I couldn't say more but told her that her Malaysian friend really have a keen eyes on beautiful places.

Ok. Moving forward. If you are planning to visit El Nido's finest beaches and islands & islets, there are four Island hopping schemes or tours you can avail. The 4 tours cover all the amazing spots one can visit when in El Nido. These tours are available in different agencies around El Nido (trust me, these agencies are scattered and neighboring to one another and they're hard to miss out). Ratings of each tour is around 1,200 pesos to 1,400 pesos depending on the tour you'll get. They tagged the tours as Tour A, Tour B, Tour C and Tour D.

As for our group, we already had a contact in El Nido before we even went there with regards to accommodation and tours. It was Ate Neriza of Northern Hope Inn and Tours whom we contacted for our whole El Nido, Palawan trip. They're ratings on Tour A to D as of June 2014 were as follow:

Tour A - 1,200 Pesos per person
Tour B - 1,300 Pesos per person
Tour C - 1,400 Pesos per person
Tour D - 1,200 Pesos per person

** You'll be also paying an environmental fee of 200 Pesos per person which is valid for 10 days **
** The package also includes lunch on one of the islands (which will be prepared by their artistic boatmen) **

You can also have a combination tour, for example Tour A+B or Tour C+D which what we did. We had Tour C & D on our first day and Tour A & B on our second day. However, the disadvantage of doing combination tours is that we had to drop some spots due to insufficient and lack of time. On the brighter side, though we only stayed in El Nido for 3 Days, we got the chance to try all the tours. Nevertheless, touring around El Nido is one of my best trip to date.

A sneak preview on one of the lagoon in El Nido, Palawan

Feedback on Northern Hope Tours:
They're ratings on El Nido tours are competitive and quite reasonable. I suggest that you get their service to tour you at El Nido. They have a very friendly boatmen and really took care of us during the whole trip from A to D. They are also great chefs and expert in food art (just stay tuned on my future blogpost as I am going to include our food trips prepared by those boatmen). What I couldn't recommend is their accommodation, the Northern Hope Inn. I have no big issue on their hotel as I am a cowboy type of traveler and also we're outside the hotel most of our time touring around El Nido's islands and beaches but in response on the comments of my buddies in this trip (where I also agree), we find the rooms too small for a room of 3 and 4 persons. The rooms are not spacious enough and feels like that the good for 3 & 4 persons rooms were forced or "ipinilit lang" just to accommodate big groups.

Anyway, the price of the rooms here are really economy and low-cost. You can have a room of 4 for only 800 pesos per night. Imagine, it is just 200 pesos per persons per night which also includes a breakfast meal. Not bad since you'll be spending 85% of your time outside and touring at El Nido.

Contact Person: Neriza Dado
Contact Number:  09399022216 and 09277353221
E-mail Address: northernhopetours@gmail.com

I hope this blog post help you on planning your own El Nido getaway. If you're interested to see how beautiful the islands and islets of El Nido are, you may refer to the links below. It features our combination tours on A plus B and C plus D.

Island Hopping: El Nido, Palawan Tour A & B
Island Hopping: El Nido, Palawan Tour C & D

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