Island Hopping into the Wild and Drifting into Paradise, Our El Nido Escape

Hey! Fellow wanderers!
Grateful to be here among fellow travelers and memory-keepers. I believe every step we take, every photo we snap, and every story we tell adds a little more meaning to the map of our lives. Here’s to moments that move us and places that stay in our hearts.
Some anniversaries call for roses. Ours was for the beach and limestone cliffs. A kind of celebration that we will cherish forever. We gifted ourselves something unforgettable on our 28th wedding anniversary. An island escape to El Nido, Palawan. From April 7 to 14, 2023, we explored Coron and El Nido, two of the Philippines most stunning gems. I want to take a moment to share just our El Nido experience.

We left Coron by fast ferry, the journey taking about three and a half hours. The sea was calm, and the views were spectacular. As we reached El Nido, excitement increased in our hearts. I still remember the moment we got off the ferry the salty breeze welcomed us to paradise. It was noon, and our feet hadn’t touched the sand yet, but we already felt the magic. This is El Nido's port, it may be small but it holds a unique charm. We saw pump boats resting on the shore. What caught our attention was the view in front of us. Limestone cliffs and lush mountains ascend like an ancient guard. The scenery was so inspiring.

Since our chosen hotel wasn’t available that first night. We checked into Suites by Eco Hotel, a beachfront hotel located along the shore of El Nido's pristine beach. The hotel had a modern yet minimalist design. The terrace has a hammock that blends in orderly with the natural beauty. Surrounded by white sand, lush greenery, and the calm sound of the waves. After we fixed our things in the room. We went to the hotel's restaurant to refresh ourselves. Ordered a mango shake, perfect for the warm weather. The horizon began to change color as the sun slowly dipped towards the sky. My husband and I found ourselves cozy on the beach chair, just lying down there in a peaceful silence, looking at the golden hues of the sunset. It was a quiet, beautiful moment as we waited for our anniversary dinner, feeling grateful and completely at ease.

Our first day of the island tour had finally arrived and we were excited to explore beautiful islands. The first stop was the iconic Big Lagoon. The towering limestone cliffs and crystal clear waters left us in admiration. To encounter the lagoon, we had to go in a kayak and paddle our way inside. We grabbed one kayak without hesitation. Our hearts were full of excitement, ready to sail through the serene waters and take in the breathtaking beauty that awaited us within the Big Lagoon.

Our second stop was the beautiful Shimizu Island. We were enticed by the unique rock formations and crystal clear water. We took time swimming and simply enjoying the serenity of the place. Lunch was served on the island, enjoying every bite with that wonderful view in front of us.

Next stop was the 7th Commando beach, My eyes were immediately caught by the towering limestone cliffs and the crystal clear water that glowed under the sun. Coconut trees lined the beach but sadly I missed to captured them. I was too busy just enjoying the moment, loving the beauty with my own eyes. Sometimes being present is the best souvenir.

After our island-hopping, we moved to our second hotel, Lime Resort El Nido. Perched on a hill with huge views of the bay. This resort offered a different kind of peacefulness. After a long day, we finally dropped into the pool. A perfect reward for a day well spent. As we soaked and let our muscles relax, we were enticed by the panoramic view of the sea.

On our second day, we explored five islands. Our first stop was Entalula Island. It was indeed a tropical paradise. And what made it even more dramatic was the presence of a huge, tall stone that stands proudly along its powdery white shoreline. It looked like a natural monument carved by time. The crystal-clear turquoise waters slowly swashed against the sand, invites us to swim and explore. The serenity of the island, with its fresh and untouched beauty, made it feel like a secret escape where nature quietly takes your breath away.

We visited the majestic Cathedral Cave, where we took some photos to capture its beauty, its high, arched entrance framed by towering limestone made it look like a natural chapel. After a few minutes of taking in the view, our boat moved just a bit farther to a snorkeling area. The crew gave us the go signal to jump in and explore. I decided to stay dry and relaxed on the boat, while my husband eagerly jumped into the clear, inviting water. I watched him snorkel with joy, surrounded by colorful fish and coral, while I enjoyed the calm and the beauty of the moment from above.

Our next stop was Cudugnon Cave. A place that felt both adventurous and mysterious. Getting into the cave wasn’t easy, the hole was small, so we had to curl up and move carefully to avoid hitting our heads. Inside the cave was so amazing. It was cool and spacious, with natural stone formations that looked like sculpted over time. Its textures, colors and shapes truly a hidden treasure that left us in awe of nature’s quiet artistry.

The next stop was the Snake Island. Famous for its natural sandbar that looked like an alley across the sea. We got off the boat and walked through the shallow water. It took about five minutes to reach the island. Surrounded by wonderful views of the ocean and nearby islands. We glimpsed a bit, took some photos, and enjoyed the place. We went down to the beach and took a swim, letting the calm water wash away the heat of the day.

Our last island stop, we could feel the tiredness after a full day of adventures. Our energy was fading away. But there was still happiness and contentment. We walked along the beach, took in the peaceful surroundings, and snapped a few photos to remember the moment.
By the third day, the skies had turned gray. The Coast Guard canceled all island tours due to rough waters. So we stayed in. We sipped coffee, watched the rain from our room. We just talked about everything and had a restful day.

We departed El Nido and made our way back to Coron. As we embarked the boat, we took one last look at the shore and the cliffs that had made our trip so special. With hearts full of memories and gratitude. We sailed away, knowing that this journey had given us stories we’d cherish for a lifetime.

Photos taken using Samsung S21 5G
Collage edited through Canva