Best ActivitiesEl Nido, Palawan
Top Things to Do in El Nido
Ranked by verified guest reviews — the best things to do in El Nido, Palawan
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Rankings are based on verified guest review ratings submitted through the Island Seeker directory. Businesses are sorted by average rating (highest first), with ties broken by total review count and featured status. Only active, verified listings in El Nido appear.
questions & answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities are unique to each area of Palawan?
Puerto Princesa is the base for the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River (UNESCO World Heritage, guided boat tour through a massive cave system) and Honda Bay island hopping (Starfish Island, Cowrie Island, Luli Island — excellent for families and first-time island hoppers). El Nido is the gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago's famous lagoons — Tour A (Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon) is the most popular, covering the most iconic limestone karst scenery. Coron offers Southeast Asia's best wreck diving (10+ Japanese WWII shipwrecks), Kayangan Lake (one of the cleanest lakes in Asia), twin lagoons, and a natural hot spring. Port Barton suits travellers who want quieter island hopping and snorkelling without the crowds.
Is the Puerto Princesa Underground River worth visiting?
Yes — the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the world's most impressive cave river systems and one of the new Seven Wonders of Nature. The guided boat tour travels 1.5km into the cave, passing dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations, wildlife (swiftlets, monkeys, monitor lizards at the entrance), and a cathedral-sized chamber. Visitor numbers are strictly capped — book at least 2–3 days in advance during peak season (December–April). The full experience from Puerto Princesa involves a 1.5-hour boat and van journey to Sabang — allow a full day.
How does island hopping in El Nido compare to Coron?
El Nido specialises in limestone karst lagoon scenery — the famous Big Lagoon (entered through a narrow rock passage into a calm emerald pool), Secret Lagoon (hidden beach inside a rock formation), and snorkelling around dramatic limestone cliffs. Tour A is the most iconic and can get very crowded by midday; early departure by private charter avoids the main groups. Coron offers a completely different experience — wreck diving (10+ WWII Japanese ships in 18–40m of water), freshwater Kayangan Lake (dramatically clear turquoise water ringed by limestone), twin lagoons, and a hot spring lake. Coron is better for divers; El Nido is better for snorkellers and scenery seekers.
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