El Nido, in the north of the Palawan island in the Philippines, is paradise! It has some of the most beautiful scenery we have every encountered. This group of islands is off the tip of the Palawan Island is full of beautiful rock formations, surrounded by emerald green waters and full of gorgeous beaches.

 

The Arrival

 

 

We arrived at Puerto Princesa International Airport at 3:40 PM. The driver, holding a placard with my name on it, waited outside the airport and drove us to El Nido. From Puerto Prinsesa, it would take 5-7 hours travel by land. We arrived at El Nido at 9:45 PM.

 

 

      

   

 

We woke up to this view <3 

 

 

Island Hopping Tour A

 

We were so happy because the weather on the first day of our island hopping was good, unlike last year, during our Coron Palawan Island Hopping tour, it was raining (Please check my previous blog post about our  Coron Palawan Trip). Before our trip, I always checked the weather forecast in Palawan, hopping for a good weather during our travel dates. I don't want to experience again the stormy boat ride just like what we experienced in Coron. Then I saw my friend's my day on messenger that it was raining in Puerto Princesa during their City tour, and it saddened me knowing that our flight will be on 2 days. The destinations in Tour A are Small Lagoon, Entatula, Shimizu Island, Big Lagoon, Seven Commando Beach.

 

 

      

 

Heading to small lagoon

 

 

 

 

Small Lagoon

 

 

   

   

  

 

 

To reach the lagoon you have to paddle or swim through a small opening. The further we entered into the lagoon the more we relaxed and enjoyed the lagoon’s atmosphere wholeheartedly. 

 

 

 

In the left side of the picture, you can see the hole / small opening

 

 

Entalula

 

 

 

 

Entatula was a great place for snorkeling. We’re not good swimmers and I get tired easily treading water so I was relieved when I saw our tour guide wear a rope, which was tied to a lifebuoy, around his waist. All we had to do was grab the lifebuoy while he swam. We were basically a choo-choo train in the water! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simizu Island

 

This island has some of the most remarkable stone structures around El Nido. Large pieces of limestone rise out of the sea forming thin curtains of black rock. Some of these rocks have small holes in them that make you wonder how they were formed. Simizu Island is a popular lunch stop on the El Nido day trip A tour.

 

   

  
  

 

 

Big Lagoon

 

The big lagoon was, as the name reveals, bigger. Its entire length from the entrance to the end was certainly about 500 meters. It was a magical place. The water here was a one of a kind color surrounded by tall rock formations. It’s nothing short of breathtaking. It’s paradise!

 

 

 

   

     

  

    

 

 

 

Seven Commando Beach

 

Seven Commando Beach was our last stop, the 6th Island that we've visited in our Tour A. It's famous for having a bar and a beach volleyball court, this island continuously attracts many tourists especially the foreigners. It has a powdery white sand beach where you can bum around all afternoon.

 

 

         

    

  

 

Our El Nido adventure continues… Watch out for my next post.