Where to look
Divers & Snorkelers
Scuba divers · Snorkelers · Underwater photographers · Marine life enthusiasts Palawan offers two completely different world-class underwater experiences. El Nido delivers spectacular snorkeling in crystal-clear lagoons and over shallow coral gardens teeming with reef fish, sea turtles and rays -- no dive certification required for most sites. Coron is the wreck diver's paradise: the bay holds twelve Japanese warships sunk in a single US air raid in September 1944, including the massive Okikawa Maru (160 m long) and the Irako (147 m). The wrecks are draped in coral and home to enormous diversity of marine life. Tubbataha Reef National Park, 150 km offshore in the Sulu Sea, is accessible only by liveaboard from Puerto Princesa during March to June. It is one of Asia's most pristine dive destinations -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site with wall dives, shark encounters, manta rays and pristine coral that sees fewer than 2,000 divers per year. Siete Pecados Marine Park near Coron offers excellent beginner snorkeling with sea turtles in calm, shallow water.
Beach & Lagoon Lovers
Beach lovers · Couples · Kayakers · Island hoppers · Photographers El Nido's Bacuit Archipelago contains some of the most photographed beaches and lagoons on earth. Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon and Secret Lagoon are enclosed by towering limestone karsts with emerald water so clear you can see every detail on the sandy bottom. These are included in the standard Tour A and Tour C island-hopping routes -- most visitors do all three in a single day by bangka boat. Nacpan Beach, 25 km north of El Nido town, is a pristine 4 km stretch of white sand that merges with Calitang Beach into a double bay, largely undeveloped and one of the best beaches in the Philippines. Port Barton is the undiscovered alternative for beach lovers who find El Nido too crowded. The main beach is long and sandy, the guesthouses are affordable, and the surrounding reef islands offer excellent snorkeling and a genuinely relaxed atmosphere. Las Cabanas Beach at the edge of El Nido town is famous for sunset views and a dramatic zipline over the sea.
Adventure & Nature Seekers
Nature lovers · UNESCO enthusiasts · Cave explorers · Wildlife watchers The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is Palawan's showpiece UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature -- a navigable 8 km underground river flowing through cathedral-sized cave chambers before emptying into the South China Sea. The cave is reached by 45-minute boat ride from Sabang town, and you explore the first 1.5 km by paddle boat. Bats, swiftlets and monitor lizards inhabit the cave entrance. Honda Bay near Puerto Princesa offers a different nature experience: island-hopping by bangka among coral-fringed sandbars with excellent snorkeling and a very local, un-touristy atmosphere. Kayangan Lake on Coron Island is reached by a staircase carved into the limestone, with a famous viewpoint at the top before descending to a stunning freshwater lake inside a natural rock amphitheatre. The lake is frequently called the cleanest in Asia. Barracuda Lake's unique volcanic thermocline -- where water temperature suddenly shifts from cool to 38 C within a few metres -- is one of Palawan's most unusual natural phenomena.
Couples & Comfort Travellers
Couples · Honeymooners · Families · Comfort seekers · Slow travellers El Nido has a booming luxury resort scene, particularly on the private islands of the Bacuit Archipelago. Resorts on Miniloc Island, Lagen Island and Pangulasian Island sit directly on the water inside the national park, offering overwater bungalows, house reefs for snorkeling and sunset views over the limestone towers. These properties are expensive by Philippine standards but offer exceptional seclusion -- you genuinely feel like you have the lagoon to yourself at dawn. El Nido town itself has a growing number of comfortable mid-range boutique hotels with rooftop bars and good restaurants along the main beach. Coron is quieter and more authentic-feeling than El Nido -- the town has a genuine local character, good Filipino food restaurants and a slower pace. For couples combining diving and beach relaxation, Coron is often preferred. The sunset view from Mt Tapyas (700 steps up) over the island-dotted bay is one of the Philippines' most romantic panoramas.
El Nido Town
Best overall base for Bacuit Archipelago. Widest range of tour operators, restaurants and guesthouses. All tour boats leave from here. Busy but buzzing with atmosphere. Best base · Lagoons · Tour hub
Bacuit Bay Resorts
Private island resorts on Miniloc, Lagen, Pangulasian -- inside the national park. Ultimate seclusion and direct lagoon access. Expensive; book months ahead. Luxury · Seclusion · Honeymooners
Coron Town
Best base for WWII wreck diving, Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon. More relaxed than El Nido. Local character, good food. Mt Tapyas sunset is a highlight. Wreck diving · Kayangan Lake · Local vibe
Puerto Princesa
Capital city. Best base for the Underground River and Tubbataha liveaboard departures. Good infrastructure, airport, city hotels. Mostly a transit hub rather than destination. Underground River · Tubbataha base · Transit
Port Barton
Quiet fishing village between Puerto Princesa and El Nido. Long sandy beach, good reef snorkeling, cheap guesthouses. The antidote to El Nido crowds. Accessible by van. Relaxed · Budget · Snorkeling
Tips for booking
- Tip Base yourself in Coron for wreck diving. The main wrecks are a 20-45 minute boat ride from Coron town. Most dive operators are on the main street and offer full equipment rental and guided wreck dives. For Tubbataha, book the liveaboard 3-4 months in advance -- the season is short (March to June) and boats are limited. Expect to pay USD 1,800-3,500 for a 5-6 night Tubbataha liveaboard.
- Tip Go to the lagoons as early as possible. Tour boats leave El Nido at 8-9 AM and the lagoons are quiet until around 11 AM. From midday they become very crowded, especially Big Lagoon. Staying at El Nido town puts you first on the boats. Private tours cost more but let you control your schedule and avoid the largest groups. The lagoons require reef-safe sunscreen (enforced by rangers).
- Tip Book the Underground River permit in advance. Daily visitor numbers are capped and permits sell out during peak season (December to April). Book through the Puerto Princesa City Tourism Office website or via your hotel. The river tour itself takes about 1.5 hours from the city -- most visitors go on a day trip, but staying overnight in Sabang village near the entrance is more atmospheric and gives you the morning tours without the Puerto Princesa day-trip crowds.
- Tip The private island resorts in Bacuit Bay book 3-4 months ahead. El Nido Resorts operates the four island properties (Miniloc, Lagen, Pangulasian, Apulit) and they are the benchmark for Philippine island resort luxury. Mid-range couples will find excellent value in El Nido town boutique guesthouses with aircon, hot water and a good breakfast -- the town beach, restaurants and tour departure points are all within walking distance.
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