Tapiutan Island, El Nido, Palawan

Tapiutan Island is the neighbouring island of the famous Matinloc Island. Tapiutan is mostly consists of limestone cliffs and dense vegetation. There is also a white sand beach in the island and it is called the Star Beach. Just like most of the islands in El Nido, it is an inhabited island. There’s no resort, source of fresh water and electricity in Tapiutan Island.

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to El Nido Airport. From El Nido Airport, you can rent a van or a tricycle to El Nido town proper and then from there you’ll need to rent a boat to reach Tapiutan Island. You can also rent a boat from El Nido Airport to Tapiutan Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a plane bound for Puerto Princesa City. From Puerto Princesa Airport, ride a tricycle to San Jose Terminal. From San Jose Terminal, you can ride a van, a mini bus or an airconditioned bus bound for El Nido town proper. From the town proper, rent a boat to Tapiutan Island.

Travel time:

Manila to El Nido Airport – 1 hour

El Nido Airport to El Nido town proper – 20 to 30 minutes

El Nido town proper to Tapiutan Island – 30 minutes to 1 hour

Manila to Puerto Princesa – 1 hour

Puerto Princesa Airport to San Jose Terminal – 15 to 20 minutes

San Jose Terminal to El Nido town proper – 5 to 6 hours

Shimizu Island, El Nido, Palawan

Shimizu Island is also known as Zimizu Island. It is an island located off the coast of El Nido. The island boasts a cream-colored sand beach. Shimizu is an inhabited island. There’s no resort in the island and there’s no source of electricity and fresh water.

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to El Nido Airport. From El Nido Airport, you can rent a van or a tricycle to El Nido town proper and then from there you’ll need to rent a boat to reach Shimizu Island. You can also rent a boat from El Nido Airport to Shimizu Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a plane bound for Puerto Princesa City. From Puerto Princesa Airport, ride a tricycle to San Jose Terminal. From San Jose Terminal, you can ride a van, a mini bus or an airconditioned bus bound for El Nido town proper. From the town proper, rent a boat to Shimizu Island.

Travel time:

Manila to El Nido Airport – 1 hour

El Nido Airport to El Nido town proper – 20 to 30 minutes

El Nido town proper to Shimizu Island – 30 minutes to 1 hour

Manila to Puerto Princesa – 1 hour

Puerto Princesa Airport to San Jose Terminal – 15 to 20 minutes

San Jose Terminal to El Nido town proper – 5 to 6 hours

Miniloc Island, El Nido, Palawan

Miniloc is one of the famous islands in El Nido. It is a favorite stop for island hopping because of the existence of beautiful lagoons and beaches. There are several coves in the island and these coves have white sand beaches.  The Miniloc Island Resort, which is owned by El Nido Resorts, is located in this island. There are no community in the island. There’s no source of electricity in the island except for the electric generator owned by Miniloc Island Resort. Some of the favorite spots in the island are the Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon and the Secret Lagoon.

Big Lagoon

The beach near the Secret Lagoon

Entrance to the Big Lagoon

The beach near the Secret Lagoon

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to El Nido Airport. From El Nido Airport, you can rent a van or a tricycle to El Nido town proper and then from there you’ll need to rent a boat to reach  Miniloc Island. You can also rent a boat from El Nido Airport to Miniloc Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a plane bound for Puerto Princesa City. From Puerto Princesa Airport, ride a tricycle to San Jose Terminal. From San Jose Terminal, you can ride a van, a mini bus or an airconditioned bus bound for El Nido town proper. From the town proper, rent a boat to Miniloc Island.

Travel time:

Manila to El Nido Airport – 1 hour

El Nido Airport to El Nido town proper – 20 to 30 minutes

El Nido town proper to Miniloc Island – 30 minutes to 45 minutes

Manila to Puerto Princesa – 1 hour

Puerto Princesa Airport to San Jose Terminal – 15 to 20 minutes

San Jose Terminal to El Nido town proper – 5 to 6 hours

Matinloc Island, El Nido, Palawan

Matinloc Island is the longest slim island in El Nido town. The island’s terrain is mostly high limestone cliffs and dense vegetation. There's no resort or electricity in the island. However, there is an abandoned building and a museum in the island. A shrine is also located in Matinloc. There are several pockets of white sand beaches in Matinloc. The famous spots in island are the Talisay Beach, Hidden Beach, Secret Beach and Matinloc Shrine.

Hidden Beach

the view from Matinloc Shrine

Talisay Beach

Matinloc Shrine

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to El Nido Airport. From El Nido Airport, you can rent a van or a tricycle to El Nido town proper and then from there you’ll need to rent a boat to reach  Matinloc Island. You can also rent a boat from El Nido Airport to Matinloc Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a plane bound for Puerto Princesa City. From Puerto Princesa Airport, ride a tricycle to San Jose Terminal. From San Jose Terminal, you can ride a van, a mini bus or an airconditioned bus bound for El Nido town proper. From the town proper, rent a boat to Matinloc Island.

Travel time:

Manila to El Nido Airport – 1 hour

El Nido Airport to El Nido town proper – 20 to 30 minutes

El Nido town proper to Matinloc Island – 30 minutes to 1 hour

Manila to Puerto Princesa – 1 hour

Puerto Princesa Airport to San Jose Terminal – 15 to 20 minutes

San Jose Terminal to El Nido town proper – 5 to 6 hours

Helicopter Island, El Nido, Palawan

This island is called as Helicopter Island due to its helicopter-like shape when viewed from afar. The island is also called as Dilumacad Island. This island doesn’t have a resort or an electricity. It also doesn’t have a community. The island has lush vegetation and a beige to golden sand colored beach. It is also a favorite stop for island hopping and snorkelling in El Nido.

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to El Nido Airport. From El Nido Airport, you can rent a van or a tricycle to El Nido town proper and then from there you’ll need to rent a boat to reach Helicopter Island. You can also rent a boat from El Nido Airport to Helicopter Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a plane bound for Puerto Princesa City. From Puerto Princesa Airport, ride a tricycle to San Jose Terminal. From San Jose Terminal, you can ride a van, a mini bus or an airconditioned bus bound for El Nido town proper. From the town proper, rent a boat to Helicopter Island.

Travel time:

Manila to El Nido Airport – 1 hour

El Nido Airport to El Nido town proper – 20 to 30 minutes

El Nido town proper to Helicopter Island – 30 to 45 minutes

Manila to Puerto Princesa – 1 hour

Puerto Princesa Airport to San Jose Terminal – 15 to 20 minutes

San Jose Terminal to El Nido town proper – 5 to 6 hours

Cadlao Island, El Nido, Palawan

Cadlao Island is the largest island in El Nido. The island can be seen from the town proper of El Nido and it is the nearest island from the town proper. The highest peak among the islands in El Nido is also located in this island. Cadlao also boasts white sand beaches and beautiful lagoons. There are no resorts or electricity in the island. Most of the island terrain is covered with thick vegetation.

the towering peak of Cadlao island

Paradise Beach, Cadlao island

google map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to El Nido Airport. From El Nido Airport, you can rent a van or a tricycle to El Nido town proper and then from there you’ll need to rent a boat to reach Cadlao Island. You can also rent a boat from El Nido Airport to Cadlao Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a plane bound for Puerto Princesa City. From Puerto Princesa Airport, ride a tricycle to San Jose Terminal. From San Jose Terminal, you can ride a van, a mini bus or an airconditioned bus bound for El Nido town proper. From the town proper, rent a boat to Cadlao Island.

Travel time:

Manila to El Nido Airport – 1 hour

El Nido Airport to El Nido town proper – 20 to 30 minutes

El Nido town proper to Cadlao Island – 10 to 20 minutes

Manila to Puerto Princesa – 1 hour

Puerto Princesa Airport to San Jose Terminal – 15 to 20 minutes

San Jose Terminal to El Nido town proper – 5 to 6 hours

Pandan Island, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Pandan Island is located in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa City. The island boasts a cream sand beach. There is a resort in the island and there are several cottages available for rent. Pandan Island has its own source of fresh water and it is a favorite destination for island hopping and snorkelling in Honda Bay.

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. From Puerto Princesa, ride a tricycle, van, or taxi to Barangay Santa Lourdes wharf and then rent a motorized banca to Pandan Island.

Travel time:

Manila to Puerto Princesa City – 1 hour

Puerto Princesa to Barangay Santa Lourdes – 30 to 45 minutes

Barangay Santa Lourdes to Pandan Island – 30 to 45 minutes

Snake Island, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Snake Island is located in Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. It is a favorite destination for island hopping in Honda Bay. The island has a long beige/cream colored sand bar that stretches for almost a kilometer. There are no communities or resorts in the island, however, there are several cottages for rent if you want to stay for a few hours in Snake Island. There are also several stores selling foods and other items in the island. Snake Island is also a favorite snorkelling site in Honda Bay.

Google Map

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. From Puerto Princesa, ride a tricycle, van, or taxi to Barangay Santa Lourdes wharf and then rent a motorized banca to Snake Island.

Travel time:

Manila to Puerto Princesa City – 1 hour

Puerto Princesa to Barangay Santa Lourdes – 30 to 45 minutes

Barangay Santa Lourdes to Snake Island – 30 to 45 minutes

Tagauayan Island, Magsaysay, Palawan

Tagauayan Island is located off the coast of Magsaysay town, Palawan. The island is part of the Cuyo Group of Islands. The neighbouring island of Tagauayan is Cocoro. Tagauayan is part of Barangay Cocoro in Magsaysay. There are few families living in the island and there’s also a source of fresh water, however, there’s no electricity and there's no existing road in the island. Tagauayan also boasts a white sand beach but there's no existing resort nor cottages in the island.

Tagauayan Island

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane to Iloilo City. From Iloilo City, ride a ship bound for Cuyo town and then at Cuyo town, ride a tricycle bound for Magsaysay town. From Magsaysay town, you need to rent a motorized banca to get to Tagauayan Island.

From Manila, you can also ride a plane to Puerto Princesa City. From Puerto Princesa City, ride a ship bound for Cuyo, and then at Cuyo town, ride a tricycle bound for Magsaysay town. From Magsaysay town, you rent a motorized banca to get to Tagauayan Island.

Travel time:

Manila to Iloilo City – 1 hour

Iloilo City to Cuyo Port – 12 to 14 hours

Cuyo Port to Magsaysay town – 45 minutes to 1 hour

Magsaysay town to Tagauayan Island – 45  minutes to 1 hour

Manila to Pueto Princesa City – 1 hour

Puerto Princesa to Cuyo Port – 14 to 16 hours

Cocoro Island, Magsaysay, Palawan

Cocoro Island is one of the islands in the town of Magsaysay in Palawan. The town of Magsaysay is an island municipality. This is part of the Cuyo Group of Islands in Sulu Sea. Barangay Cocoro is located in Cocoro Island. There are several families living in the island. There are no resort in the island but there are several open-air cottages that are for rent.

Cocoro Island

Cocoro Island

How to get there:

From Manila, ride a plane bound for Iloilo City or Puerto Princesa City, and then from Iloilo City or from Puerto Princesa City, ride a ship bound for Cuyo town in Palawan. From Cuyo town, ride a tricycle bound for Magsaysay town. From Magsaysay town, ride a boat bound for Cocoro Island.

Travel Time:

Manila to Iloilo City or Puerto Princesa City - 1 hour

Iloilo City to Cuyo - 12 to 14 hours

Puerto Princesa City to Iloilo City - 14 to 16 hours

Cuyo to Magsaysay - 20 to 30 minutes

Magsaysay to Cocoro Island - 30 to 45 minutes