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Photo Essay: El Nido, Palawan

They call it paradise. Or if you ask the creator of “Peanuts,” Charles Schulz might say “happiness is white sand and karst limestones. And oh, turquoise waters.”

El Nido has already been on the path to mainstream popularity before another Palawan attraction six hours away gained worldwide acclaim after being voted as one of the newest 7 Wonders of Nature. El Nido has seen a dramatic increase in its tourist traffic after the inclusion of the Puerto Princesa Underground River to the coveted lineup of natural wonders of the world. When visitors are turned away from the subterranean river because of full booking (visitor entry permits are issued with a daily quota), they head up north and console themselves in the white sand beaches and secret lagoons and teeming underwater world of El Nido.

I have not been to Vietnam yet, but the first time I saw Bacuit Bay, I was taken aback with its likeness to images I’ve seen of Halong Bay (which is also one of the world’s New7Wonders of Nature). Towering karst outcrops carpeted in foliage and veiled in morning mist dot the bay and provide a dramatic introduction – or finale – to Palawan, Philippines’ rising tourist mecca.

I’ve attempted to capture a few of El Nido’s highlights and, like any star-struck first-timer, wished that I could have camped overnight in beaches in between island-hops to really scratch the surface deeper. El Nido is a beauty all its own and deserves to be accorded praise independent of any comparison.

The famed turquoise waters of El Nido found at Seven Commando Beach
The famed turquoise waters of El Nido found at Seven Commando Beach


Seven Commando Beach before droves of tourists arrive
Seven Commando Beach before droves of tourists arrive
Pinagbuyutan Island viewed from Seven Commando Beach
Pinagbuyutan Island viewed from Seven Commando Beach
A view of Pinagbuyutan Island from a rock overhang
A view of Pinagbuyutan Island from a rock overhang
Papaya Beach on the other side of Seven Commando, largely ignored by mainstream island hoppers
Papaya Beach on the other side of Seven Commando, largely ignored by mainstream island hoppers
Karst topography characterize El Nido islands
Karst topography characterize El Nido islands
Maramegmeg Beach on the southern tip of Corong Corong
Maramegmeg Beach on the southern tip of Corong Corong
Helicopter Island and El Nido Town rock massif viewed from Maramegmeg Beach
Helicopter Island and El Nido Town rock massif viewed from Maramegmeg Beach
Cadlao Island, the largest in Bacuit Bay and the closest to El Nido Town
Cadlao Island, the largest in Bacuit Bay and the closest to El Nido Town
El Nido Town Proper beach front
El Nido Town Proper beach front
El Nido Town Proper
El Nido Town Proper
On the way to Calaan Beach to the north
On the way to Calaan Beach to the north
El Nido Town viewed from the northern end of Bacuit Bay
El Nido Town viewed from the northern end of Bacuit Bay
Sunset over Bacuit Bay viewed from Corong Corong
Sunset over Bacuit Bay viewed from Corong Corong

Click here for next article (Palawan series) – How to Get to El Nido from Puerto Princesa >>

Photos by Cherry Vic Patalita

About Chris

Chris had a passion to contribute to society especially to fellow travelers like himself. He also had a passion for Southeast Asia and frequently visited. While brainstorming ideas, he decided that a travel blog dedicated to his favorite countries, Thailand and Singapore, could be more beneficial than any guidebook. Only one year later did the blog’s success bring in more writers, more countries, and more readers.

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