Vincent Vanderveken.com
  • Home
  • About
  • Philippines
    • All Balot Bohol Boracay Cebu city El Nido Malapascua Manila Palawan Panglao Port Barton San Fernando
      El Nido

      El Nido and the Bacuit Bay

      March 26, 2009

      Port Barton

      Port Barton and the Pagdanan Bay

      November 8, 2008

      Palawan

      Coco Loco island and resort

      October 9, 2008

      Malapascua

      Malapascua island

      July 11, 2008

      San Fernando

      San Fernando Crucifixions 2008

      May 31, 2008

      Panglao

      Panglao

      December 23, 2007

      Bohol

      Bohol

      November 25, 2007

      Cebu city

      Cebu City

      November 19, 2007

      Boracay

      Boracay island

      November 8, 2007

      Manila

      Arriving in Manila

      November 1, 2007

      Balot

      Eating Balot

      October 28, 2007

      Philippines

      Philippines travel itinerary

      October 28, 2007

      Balot

      Eating Balot

      October 28, 2007

      Bohol

      Bohol

      November 25, 2007

      Boracay

      Boracay island

      November 8, 2007

      Cebu city

      Cebu City

      November 19, 2007

      El Nido

      El Nido and the Bacuit Bay

      March 26, 2009

      Malapascua

      Malapascua island

      July 11, 2008

      Manila

      Arriving in Manila

      November 1, 2007

      Palawan

      El Nido and the Bacuit Bay

      March 26, 2009

      Palawan

      Coco Loco island and resort

      October 9, 2008

      Panglao

      Panglao

      December 23, 2007

      Port Barton

      Port Barton and the Pagdanan Bay

      November 8, 2008

      San Fernando

      San Fernando Crucifixions 2008

      May 31, 2008

  • Thailand
    • All Ao Nang Ko Phi Phi Ko Samet Koh Chang Koh Lanta Koh Lipe Koh Maak Koh Ngai Koh Phangan
      Ko Samet

      Revisiting Koh Samed: The easy island destination from…

      August 27, 2020

      Koh Kood

      Koh Kood: The ultimate island getaway

      June 9, 2020

      Koh Maak

      Koh Maak

      April 22, 2020

      Koh Phangan

      Exploring beaches on the Northern coast of Koh…

      April 5, 2020

      Koh Lipe

      Koh Lipe

      March 31, 2020

      Koh Ngai

      Beating the crowds in Koh Ngai

      March 27, 2020

      Koh Lanta

      Two days stop on Koh Lanta

      March 23, 2020

      Ao Nang

      Railay

      March 22, 2020

      Koh Chang

      Koh Chang on the eastern Gulf coast of…

      March 12, 2020

      Ko Samet

      Week-end in Ko Samet

      May 16, 2010

      Ko Phi Phi

      Koh Phi Phi Islands

      February 17, 2010

      Ao Nang

      Railay

      March 22, 2020

      Ko Phi Phi

      Koh Phi Phi Islands

      February 17, 2010

      Ko Samet

      Revisiting Koh Samed: The easy island destination from…

      August 27, 2020

      Ko Samet

      Week-end in Ko Samet

      May 16, 2010

      Koh Chang

      Koh Chang on the eastern Gulf coast of…

      March 12, 2020

      Koh Lanta

      Two days stop on Koh Lanta

      March 23, 2020

      Koh Lipe

      Koh Lipe

      March 31, 2020

      Koh Maak

      Koh Maak

      April 22, 2020

      Koh Ngai

      Beating the crowds in Koh Ngai

      March 27, 2020

      Koh Phangan

      Exploring beaches on the Northern coast of Koh…

      April 5, 2020

  • Vietnam
    • All Cua Dai beach Halong Bay Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hoi An
      Hanoi

      Hanging around Hanoi

      November 8, 2010

      Cua Dai beach

      Cua Dai beach

      August 29, 2010

      Hoi An

      The ancient town of Hoi An

      August 21, 2010

      Ho Chi Minh City

      Long week-end in Saigon

      June 7, 2010

      Halong Bay

      Day trip to Halong Bay

      May 24, 2010

      Cua Dai beach

      Cua Dai beach

      August 29, 2010

      Halong Bay

      Day trip to Halong Bay

      May 24, 2010

      Hanoi

      Hanging around Hanoi

      November 8, 2010

      Ho Chi Minh City

      Long week-end in Saigon

      June 7, 2010

      Hoi An

      The ancient town of Hoi An

      August 21, 2010

  • India
    • All Delhi Goa Varanasi
      Goa

      Palolem and the beaches of South Goa

      January 16, 2010

      Varanasi

      Varanasi

      December 8, 2009

      Delhi

      Old Delhi

      November 30, 2009

      Delhi

      Old Delhi

      November 30, 2009

      Goa

      Palolem and the beaches of South Goa

      January 16, 2010

      Varanasi

      Varanasi

      December 8, 2009

  • Indonesia
    • All Gili Islands
      Gili Islands

      Gili Islands

      March 17, 2020

      Gili Islands

      Gili Islands

      March 17, 2020

  • Cambodia
    • All Angkor Wat
      Angkor Wat

      Angkor Wat

      March 13, 2020

      Angkor Wat

      Angkor Wat

      March 13, 2020

  • hong kong
    • hong kong

      Cheung Chau Island

      January 20, 2009

      hong kong

      Arriving in Hong Kong

      April 30, 2008

  • Canary Islands
    • All Fuerteventura Lanzarote Tenerife
      Canary Islands

      Tenerife

      March 9, 2020

      Canary Islands

      Lanzarote

      March 8, 2020

      Canary Islands

      Fuerteventura

      March 8, 2020

      Fuerteventura

      Fuerteventura

      March 8, 2020

      Lanzarote

      Lanzarote

      March 8, 2020

      Tenerife

      Tenerife

      March 9, 2020

  • Home
  • About
  • Philippines
    • All Balot Bohol Boracay Cebu city El Nido Malapascua Manila Palawan Panglao Port Barton San Fernando
      El Nido

      El Nido and the Bacuit Bay

      March 26, 2009

      Port Barton

      Port Barton and the Pagdanan Bay

      November 8, 2008

      Palawan

      Coco Loco island and resort

      October 9, 2008

      Malapascua

      Malapascua island

      July 11, 2008

      San Fernando

      San Fernando Crucifixions 2008

      May 31, 2008

      Panglao

      Panglao

      December 23, 2007

      Bohol

      Bohol

      November 25, 2007

      Cebu city

      Cebu City

      November 19, 2007

      Boracay

      Boracay island

      November 8, 2007

      Manila

      Arriving in Manila

      November 1, 2007

      Balot

      Eating Balot

      October 28, 2007

      Philippines

      Philippines travel itinerary

      October 28, 2007

      Balot

      Eating Balot

      October 28, 2007

      Bohol

      Bohol

      November 25, 2007

      Boracay

      Boracay island

      November 8, 2007

      Cebu city

      Cebu City

      November 19, 2007

      El Nido

      El Nido and the Bacuit Bay

      March 26, 2009

      Malapascua

      Malapascua island

      July 11, 2008

      Manila

      Arriving in Manila

      November 1, 2007

      Palawan

      El Nido and the Bacuit Bay

      March 26, 2009

      Palawan

      Coco Loco island and resort

      October 9, 2008

      Panglao

      Panglao

      December 23, 2007

      Port Barton

      Port Barton and the Pagdanan Bay

      November 8, 2008

      San Fernando

      San Fernando Crucifixions 2008

      May 31, 2008

  • Thailand
    • All Ao Nang Ko Phi Phi Ko Samet Koh Chang Koh Lanta Koh Lipe Koh Maak Koh Ngai Koh Phangan
      Ko Samet

      Revisiting Koh Samed: The easy island destination from…

      August 27, 2020

      Koh Kood

      Koh Kood: The ultimate island getaway

      June 9, 2020

      Koh Maak

      Koh Maak

      April 22, 2020

      Koh Phangan

      Exploring beaches on the Northern coast of Koh…

      April 5, 2020

      Koh Lipe

      Koh Lipe

      March 31, 2020

      Koh Ngai

      Beating the crowds in Koh Ngai

      March 27, 2020

      Koh Lanta

      Two days stop on Koh Lanta

      March 23, 2020

      Ao Nang

      Railay

      March 22, 2020

      Koh Chang

      Koh Chang on the eastern Gulf coast of…

      March 12, 2020

      Ko Samet

      Week-end in Ko Samet

      May 16, 2010

      Ko Phi Phi

      Koh Phi Phi Islands

      February 17, 2010

      Ao Nang

      Railay

      March 22, 2020

      Ko Phi Phi

      Koh Phi Phi Islands

      February 17, 2010

      Ko Samet

      Revisiting Koh Samed: The easy island destination from…

      August 27, 2020

      Ko Samet

      Week-end in Ko Samet

      May 16, 2010

      Koh Chang

      Koh Chang on the eastern Gulf coast of…

      March 12, 2020

      Koh Lanta

      Two days stop on Koh Lanta

      March 23, 2020

      Koh Lipe

      Koh Lipe

      March 31, 2020

      Koh Maak

      Koh Maak

      April 22, 2020

      Koh Ngai

      Beating the crowds in Koh Ngai

      March 27, 2020

      Koh Phangan

      Exploring beaches on the Northern coast of Koh…

      April 5, 2020

  • Vietnam
    • All Cua Dai beach Halong Bay Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hoi An
      Hanoi

      Hanging around Hanoi

      November 8, 2010

      Cua Dai beach

      Cua Dai beach

      August 29, 2010

      Hoi An

      The ancient town of Hoi An

      August 21, 2010

      Ho Chi Minh City

      Long week-end in Saigon

      June 7, 2010

      Halong Bay

      Day trip to Halong Bay

      May 24, 2010

      Cua Dai beach

      Cua Dai beach

      August 29, 2010

      Halong Bay

      Day trip to Halong Bay

      May 24, 2010

      Hanoi

      Hanging around Hanoi

      November 8, 2010

      Ho Chi Minh City

      Long week-end in Saigon

      June 7, 2010

      Hoi An

      The ancient town of Hoi An

      August 21, 2010

  • India
    • All Delhi Goa Varanasi
      Goa

      Palolem and the beaches of South Goa

      January 16, 2010

      Varanasi

      Varanasi

      December 8, 2009

      Delhi

      Old Delhi

      November 30, 2009

      Delhi

      Old Delhi

      November 30, 2009

      Goa

      Palolem and the beaches of South Goa

      January 16, 2010

      Varanasi

      Varanasi

      December 8, 2009

  • Indonesia
    • All Gili Islands
      Gili Islands

      Gili Islands

      March 17, 2020

      Gili Islands

      Gili Islands

      March 17, 2020

  • Cambodia
    • All Angkor Wat
      Angkor Wat

      Angkor Wat

      March 13, 2020

      Angkor Wat

      Angkor Wat

      March 13, 2020

  • hong kong
    • hong kong

      Cheung Chau Island

      January 20, 2009

      hong kong

      Arriving in Hong Kong

      April 30, 2008

  • Canary Islands
    • All Fuerteventura Lanzarote Tenerife
      Canary Islands

      Tenerife

      March 9, 2020

      Canary Islands

      Lanzarote

      March 8, 2020

      Canary Islands

      Fuerteventura

      March 8, 2020

      Fuerteventura

      Fuerteventura

      March 8, 2020

      Lanzarote

      Lanzarote

      March 8, 2020

      Tenerife

      Tenerife

      March 9, 2020

Vincent Vanderveken.com

Take some time to see the world a bit before you leave it

El NidoPalawan

El Nido and the Bacuit Bay

by Vincent March 26, 2009
by Vincent March 26, 2009 13 comments

Located 238 kilometer north of Puerto Princesa at the tip of Palawan’s northwestern coast is where you will find the small village of El Nido and the stunning beauty of it’s surrounding marine reserve park.

Exploring the Palawan's Bacuit Bay

Due to it’s remote location the Bacuit Bay remained virtually unknown to the world until 1979 when a boat propeller accident at sea forced a group of divers to set anchor in the archipelago.

Exploring the Bacuit bay by boat

What they discovered was a breathtaking scenery of endless islands and islets made of thick virgin forest surrounded by fine white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and magnificently sculpted limestone cliffs. El Nido’s archipelago played a key role in the decision of National Geographic Traveler magazine to rate Palawan as the best island destination of East and Southeast Asia in 2007.

Dining in El Nido

So don’t be put off by the 6-8 hour long bus or mini-van journey (half of on bumpy roads) from Puerto Princesa as the price to pay for a bit of discomfort is undeniably well worth the reward.

Boat tour of El Nido

El Nido town

El Nido town is a charming and quiet little Filipino village with very simple living that  thrives mainly from fishing and tourism.
El Nido town beach at low tide

Located along the beach and facing the Bacuit bay it is surrounded by the region’s dramatic landscape of towering limestone cliffs covered in a blanket of green that mirror onto its emerald waters.

Affairs as you would imagine are very relaxed here and the whole town is made up of a few quaint streets filled with a variety of surprisingly good little restaurants serving both local delicacies and international cuisine, laid back beach bars where you can sip a cold San Miguel after a long day spent island hopping, a karaoke bar (videoke as they call it in the Philippines) where you can join the locals for a tune or two, a few grocery stores and souvenir shops.

Those looking for a bit of nightlife should head to the Balay Tubay joint as it features a live band every night playing a mix of Rock, Folk and Filipino music. A bit of dancing is also possible at El Nido’s only discotheque made up of an imaginatively redecorated 50 Sq. Meters house.

Pictures of El Nido

[Show as slideshow]
El Nido Beach, Palawan
View of El Nido\'s beach from one of the resorts.
El Nido Church
Paradise Beach, El Nido
In the town of El Nido
El Nido\'s beach in the morning
Native Style house of El Nido
Hiking to the top in El Nido
Las Cabanos, Palawan
Balay Tubay: El Nido\'s only Live venue bar
Food from Squidos restaurant in El Nido
Squidos restaurant, Palawan
Approching El Nido from the sea
El Nido street scene
Native kids having fun at the beach
El Nido in town
Looking at the sea from my beach Resort
El Nido street undergoing repairs
Beachfront resorts of El Nido, Palawan
The chidren of El Nido
El Nido grocery store

The El Nido Marine Reserve of the Bacuit Bay

Though the town is quite pleasant in itself the real beauty of El Nido lies amidst it’s Bacuit Archipeleago. The most striking features of the Marine Reserve is the scenic landscape made up of 45 magnificently sculpted limestone islands of varying shapes and sizes. Each one of them with their own unique features of beautiful lagoons, thick green forests, coves, bays, white sand beaches, caves all scattered about the sparking crystal clear seas.

Snake island sand bar in Bacuit bay

Hiring a boat to take you island hopping and snorkeling  for a 6 hour day tour should cost you about 1500-2200 Philippines Pesos (Those on a budget can join a group for around 500-800 PHP). I highly recommend arranging to have your tour guides include (some have it bundled it in the prices while other ask extra) a cooler for cold beverages and lunch made up of fresh fish, beef or pork that they will BBQ and serve with rice and fruits on one of the beaches of your choice.

Big Laguna

A truly unforgettable experience to dine in the Bacuit bay. Since the bulk of the boat tours start at 8-9AM and follow one of the main four island hopping tours in a linear path a good tip  is to leave an hour late to avoid any crowds.

Some of the many unspoiled beaches of El Nido bay

Pictures of El Nido Island Hopping

[Show as slideshow]
Approching Small Lagoon, El Nido
Entrance Small Lagoon, El Nido
Inside Small Lagoon, El Nido
Waters of El Nido
Pinagbuyutan Island
Tour Guide El Nido
Inside Big Lagoon, El Nido
Guiding through Big Lagoon, El Nido
Limestone cliffs, El Nido
Simizu island, El Nido
Dining in El Nido\'s Marine Reserve
Snake Island, El Nido
Island with entrace to Small Lagoon, El Nido
Snake Island, Palawan
Seven Commando Beach, Palawan
Simizu island, Palawan
Pinagbuyutan Island, El Nido
Dog at Seven Commando Beach, El Nido
Pinagbuyutan Island beach, Palawan
Snake Island, Palawan
7 Commando Beach, El Nido
Simizu Island, Palawan
Simizu Island waters
Pinagbuyutan Island, Palawan

There are three types of transportation that will to get to El Nido as you can:

Travel by Land

  1. Air-con Shuttle Van:  Take one of the air-con mini vans from Puerto Princessa’s new market bus station between 6 and 9 AM in the morning and 1 to 2PM in the afternoon.  Costs are 600 pesos (±$12) per person and the trip takes 6-8 hours. Possibility to make reservations (best for afternoon trips) via phone at: +63(0)9209815702 or +63(0)9172762875.
  2. Local Bus: Take the local non-aircon daily bus that Leaves Puerto Princessa’s new market bus station everyday at around 8 AM for El Nido and costs P350 pesos (±$7) per person. BEWARE as these buses are packed to the brim with people (or livestock) standing inside or on top. Windows are nonexistent so expect to be covered in a dirt  by the time of your arrival. Trip Takes from 8 to 12 hours depending on weather and how many flat tires to change. Eulen Joy Bus phone: +63(0)9197162210 or Sweety Bus phone: +63(0)919711922.
  3. Private Van for Hire: These can be arranged in Puerto Princesa on any given day but the prices are steep around P10,000 (±$200) and can fit around 8 people. Not too bad if you are travelling in a group. Trip Takes 5-8 hours depending on how many stops you want to make.
[Show as slideshow]
El Nido to Puerto Public Bus
Live Animals on Public Bus
Puerto to El Nido Public Bus

Travel by Boat

  1. Sabang – Port  Barton – El Nido Banca route: These boats on run regularly during high season for around P1,500.00 to P2000/person (±$30-40) . Trip takes around 7 hours.
  2. Manila to El Nido:  San Nicholas Shipping Lines (phone: +63(0)9182161764) and Atienza Shipping Lines (phone: +63(0)9274066036) make  trips 2-3 times a week for around P1,200.00 (±$25). Trip takes ±30 hours

Travel by Air

  1. Manila- Elnido: daily flighs with ITI. One way is around is P8,000 (±$165)
  2. Manila – Puerto Princesa: Daily flights with Cebu Pacific or Air Philippines. One way from P1000-4000 (±$15-50)
Bacuit BaybeachBeaches of the PhilippinesEl NidoIslandIslands of the PhilippinesPalawanPhilippinespopular
13 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Vincent

previous post
Cheung Chau Island
next post
Sitges Festa Major

You may also like

Coco Loco island and resort

October 9, 2008

13 comments

ianne April 20, 2009 - 3:07 pm

What a gorgeous place! The view is breath-taking! I would love to visit this place. Vincent, you’re an excellent photographer. Thanks for the info. What a lucky guy that you are having been to these beautiful places in the Philippines. Good luck!

Reply
vdes May 29, 2009 - 11:27 am

wow very nice site…love the pictures! informative too.. keep it up.

Reply
Aurora June 6, 2009 - 8:28 am

Hi Vincent,

Thank you so much for putting up this informative post. I am a Filipino and frankly I have not visited this place! It’s nice to hear about El Nido from someone outside the country! I shall go there this December.

Regards,

Reply
Visa Consultant June 10, 2009 - 10:37 am

This post is very useful for those people who are used to for travel worldwide and who are always to ready for go abroad. You blog is not a blog it is a informational guide for us. we appreciate your work. Keep it up

Reply
jen laceda June 25, 2009 - 4:55 pm

I was born in the Philippines!!! Thanks for taking me through my lovely country! I absolutely miss it there!

Reply
MJ June 29, 2009 - 11:26 am

Wow I live in the Philippines but I have sadly never set foot on Palawan. Your pictures make me want to go to Palawan badly 😀 Thanks for the detailed guide.

Reply
Vincent July 14, 2009 - 12:12 pm

Better go as soon as possible MJ,

Before it becomes overrun like Phi-Phi in Thailand.

Reply
RV July 15, 2009 - 10:11 pm

Hello Vincent. Thank you so much for your travelogue and the spectacular pictures of El Nido. I am Filipino but have lived abroad for the past 18 years. I was in the Philippines from late May to early July this year (2009) and during one dinner with some friends in Makati one of them talked about his recent trip to El Nido. The very next week I flew to Puerto Princesa and took the van to El Nido. I still have to upload my pictures but I strongly believe El Nido is the most magnificent place I have ever visited in the Philippines – if not in the world. The Bacuit archipelago is simply stunning and what I like most about it is that it is still largely untouched, unspoilt, raw, and pristine. While having dinner one night at a restaurant in the town of El Nido I overheard an Englishman and his Scottish girlfriend talking to the Swiss owner of the place. They said they were in Australia when a friend of theirs posted some pictures he had taken in El Nido on his Facebook page. As soon as they saw those pictures they immediately decided to change their travel plans and spend some time in El Nido.

Reply
guidebooks July 17, 2009 - 12:49 pm

The pictures look amazing. I’d love to visit these places sometimes.

Reply
iloilo onfoot July 26, 2009 - 2:30 pm

OH.. dreamland!
Yes! I guess El Nido is what I’ve been dreaming to go to. I guess there’s just so many beautiful sceneries in that part of Palawan… You’re one lucky traveler!

Greetings from Iloilo

Reply
ianne August 23, 2009 - 3:12 pm

What I mean is that what a lucky guy that you are having been to these beautiful places in the Philippines. Have fun!

Reply
Vincent Vanderveken » Koh Phi Phi February 17, 2010 - 3:30 pm

[…] surrounded by miles of trackless forest on each side of the island. Immediately comparisons with El Nido in the Philippines came to mind as both share similarities. While Koh Phi Phi Don is set on a much […]

Reply
flipnomad May 24, 2014 - 5:28 pm

El Nido is one of my favorite places in the Philippines. It's stunning especially the islands around Bacuit Bay. Another place that I like the most is Nacpan and Calitang Beach which is just less than an hour away from El Nido town.

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Search this website

About Me

About Me

Vincent Vanderveken

Make sure to take some time to see the world a bit before you leave it

Recent Posts

  • Revisiting Koh Samed: The easy island destination from Bangkok

    August 27, 2020
  • Koh Kood: The ultimate island getaway

    June 9, 2020
  • Koh Maak

    April 22, 2020
  • Exploring beaches on the Northern coast of Koh Phangan

    April 5, 2020
  • Koh Lipe

    March 31, 2020
  • Beating the crowds in Koh Ngai

    March 27, 2020

Categories

  • Cambodia (1)
    • Angkor Wat (1)
  • Canary Islands (3)
    • Fuerteventura (1)
    • Lanzarote (1)
    • Tenerife (1)
  • Europe (3)
    • France (1)
      • Marseille (1)
    • Spain (2)
      • Madrid (1)
      • Sitges (1)
  • hong kong (2)
  • India (3)
    • Delhi (1)
    • Goa (1)
    • Varanasi (1)
  • Indonesia (1)
    • Gili Islands (1)
  • Koh Kood (1)
  • luggage (1)
  • Philippines (12)
    • Balot (1)
    • Bohol (1)
    • Boracay (1)
    • Cebu city (1)
    • El Nido (1)
    • Malapascua (1)
    • Manila (1)
    • Palawan (2)
    • Panglao (1)
    • Port Barton (1)
    • San Fernando (1)
  • Thailand (11)
    • Ao Nang (1)
    • Ko Phi Phi (1)
    • Ko Samet (2)
    • Koh Chang (1)
    • Koh Lanta (1)
    • Koh Lipe (1)
    • Koh Maak (1)
    • Koh Ngai (1)
    • Koh Phangan (1)
  • Uncategorized (2)
  • Vietnam (5)
    • Cua Dai beach (1)
    • Halong Bay (1)
    • Hanoi (1)
    • Ho Chi Minh City (1)
    • Hoi An (1)

Blogroll

  • Travelfish.org
  • My Luxury Resorts Guide of Phuket
  • Carmen Jaci
  • Nomadic Matt's Travel Blog
  • Nathalie Vanderveken
  • Travelblog.org
  • My Artsy stuff
  • nomad4ever
  • Jon is Travelling
  • Tezza's Beaches and Islands Blog
  • Goats on the Road
  • The Lost Passport
  • BrusselsPictures.com
  • Essaim Abeilles noires consultation

Archives

Related Posts

  • Coco Loco island and resort

Instagram

No any image found. Please check it again or try with another instagram account.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Flickr
  • Youtube
  • Reddit
  • 500px

©2007-2020 - All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Vincent Vanderveken


Back To Top