{"id":47660,"date":"2026-01-02T09:37:44","date_gmt":"2026-01-02T09:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alananna.co.uk\/blog\/?p=47660"},"modified":"2026-01-02T09:40:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-02T09:40:55","slug":"island-hopping-in-the-philippines-day-5-el-nido","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alananna.co.uk\/blog\/2026\/01\/island-hopping-in-the-philippines-day-5-el-nido\/","title":{"rendered":"Island Hopping in the Philippines \u2013 Day 5: El Nido"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today started with breakfast at the Nacpan Beach Resort, just north of El Nido. Or rather, it did for Anna \u2014 I wasn\u2019t feeling great, so I managed only half a piece of toast. We did at least take a look at the early morning beach from the restaurant before getting ready for another day out on the water. After all, this was<\/em> an island-hopping holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Morning<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"Morning<\/a><\/figure>
\"Nacpan<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"Nacpan<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"Christmas<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"View<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Kayaking the Lagoons<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After a short drive into the busy streets and dockside area of El Nido, we boarded a new bangka boat and set off towards the Big Lagoon on Miniloc Island. On arrival, we transferred to sit-on-top kayaks and paddled our way into the lagoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Onboard<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"Kayaking<\/a><\/figure>
\"Kayaking<\/a><\/figure>
\"Al<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

There were plenty of other people out on the water, lots of kayaks, and no shortage of people posing for selfies, which added to the general mayhem near the entrance. Once through, though, Anna and I were able to find some peace and quiet further into the lagoon, paddling beneath towering limestone cliffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s an impressive place, with trees clinging improbably to near-vertical rock faces and clear blue water below. We kept an eye out for monkeys but didn\u2019t spot any. We then headed into the smaller lagoon, paddling into and through a cave a couple of times before making our way back out. Rey was flying his drone so got some good overhead shots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kayaking<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"Al<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"Big<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We regrouped with the others near the entrance and lazed about in the water for a while before returning to the boat. Despite the crowds, it was still an enjoyable excursion and one of those bucket-list places to visit in this part of the world. I can only imagine how magical it would be to have it to yourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>