El Nido, Philippines Photography

Photographing El Nido

El Nido is the gateway to Palawan's Bacuit archipelago, a scatter of karst islands rising from turquoise water at the northern tip of the island. Days here center on banca boat tours through hidden lagoons and blue coves, with the town itself wedged between jungle-covered cliffs and the shore.

Where to shoot

Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon — swim through a narrow rock crack into an enclosed, cliff-ringed pool, the centerpiece of Island-Hopping Tour A.
Cadlao Island — the towering karst peak visible from every point on El Nido's town beach, especially dramatic at low tide with its reflection in the tidal flats.
El Nido town beach shipwreck — a rusting hull run aground south of town, framed by sheer cliffs, worth a walk down the shore at sunset.
Bacuit archipelago boat tours (A–D) — shared banca trips out to 45 islands' worth of lagoons, coves, and snorkeling reefs, bookable same-day from any shop in town.

When to go

December through May, during the dry season, when seas are calm enough for the outrigger boats to run the outer island-hopping tours.

What to eat

Kinilaw (Filipino-style ceviche in vinegar and calamansi), fresh grilled squid and tanigue off the boats, and sinigang — a sour tamarind soup — are staples at the seafront carinderias.