El Nido Packing List 2026: What to Bring for Island Hopping
Packing for El Nido is a specific skill set. You’re not packing for a beach resort where everything is within walking distance. You’re packing for a place where you’ll spend full days on a boat, swim through lagoon openings, hike up viewpoints in the heat, and then walk back to a guesthouse along a sandy road. What you bring, and more importantly what you leave behind, makes a real difference.
I’ve done El Nido with an overpacked bag and I’ve done it with exactly the right amount. The second time was better. Here’s everything you actually need.
Island Hopping Essentials (Your Daily Kit)
These are the things you need on the boat every single day. Pack them in a dry bag or waterproof pouch so they survive the water transfer between boat and beach.
Reef-safe sunscreen. This is non-negotiable in El Nido. Rangers at the lagoon stops check for reef-safe compliance, and non-reef-safe sunscreen gets confiscated. Look for mineral-based formulas (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide). Brands like Raw Elements, Stream2Sea, or local Filipino options work well. Apply before boarding, not on the boat.
Dry bag. A 10-15 liter dry bag protects your phone, wallet, and clothes during boat transfers and when the deck gets splashed. Don’t trust regular backpacks. The cheap roll-top style dry bags from Decathlon or local El Nido shops work fine, don’t overspend here.
Water shoes or reef sandals. Many boat boarding areas involve stepping off over rocks in shallow water, and the lagoon entrances often have sharp coral. Flip-flops fall off and don’t protect your feet. Reef shoes that you can swim in are ideal. Teva or Keen sandals work well. Locals sell basic rubber water shoes in El Nido town for ₱200-400 if you forget.
Rashguard or UV shirt. A full day in the Philippine sun, on the water, with sun reflecting up from the surface, is brutal even for people who tan well. A lightweight rashguard protects your back and shoulders during snorkeling. It also reduces how much sunscreen you need to apply and reapply.
Cash. Environmental fees and entry tickets at the tour stops are cash-only. Tour tips, emergency purchases, and small beach vendors are cash. Bring ₱2,000-3,000 per day in small bills. The ATMs in El Nido town work but run out of cash during peak season and charge foreign card fees.
Snorkeling and Water Gear
Tour operators provide basic snorkeling masks and fins, but the quality varies. If snorkeling is important to you, bring your own mask at minimum. A properly fitting mask makes an enormous difference to the experience, and rental masks often leak or fog.
Prescription diving masks are available from some shops in El Nido town if you wear glasses, but selection is limited. If you need one, bring your own.
Underwater camera or housing. The lagoons, the coral, the fish, and the general color of the water in El Nido is something you’ll want documented. A GoPro or waterproof phone case works well. There are local sellers in town but selection and quality vary, bring your own.
An inflatable pool float or buoyancy aid is useful if you’re not a strong swimmer. Some stops involve open water entry from the boat. Life jackets are available on the boats, ask the crew.
Clothing: Pack Light, Pack Smart
El Nido doesn’t require much in the way of clothing. The town is casual, the beach culture is relaxed, and you’re in and out of the water most of the day.
Swimwear: Two or three swimsuits, so one is always dry. Bikinis and board shorts are the standard. There are no conservative dress requirements on the beach or in town.
Light clothing for evenings: Linen shirts, shorts, sundresses. Two or three changes is plenty. The evenings are warm and you won’t be dressing up. Most accommodation has laundry service for ₱100-150 per kilo.
One light layer: Air-conditioned vans and ferry rides can get cold. A light pullover or thin jacket is useful for the 5-6 hour van from Puerto Princesa, not really for the island itself.
Sandals or slip-ons: For town walking. Most of El Nido’s main strip is fine in sandals. Save the heavy shoes for elsewhere.
Health and Hygiene
After-sun lotion or aloe vera gel. Even with sunscreen, you’ll get some sun. Aloe vera gel is available in El Nido pharmacies but stock varies. Bring your own.
Motion sickness tablets. The boat rides can get choppy, especially on Tour C which ventures further into the open bay. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take tablets before you board. Bonamine (meclizine) is available in Philippine pharmacies.
Basic first aid kit: Antiseptic wipes, plasters, and basic pain relief. Minor cuts from coral or rocks are common. The medical facilities in El Nido are basic, more serious issues require evacuation to Puerto Princesa.
Insect repellent: El Nido has mosquitoes, particularly around sunset. DEET-based repellent works best. Apply in the evenings when you’re in the town area.
Personal medications: Bring everything you need. Pharmacy options in El Nido are limited, and getting specific prescription medications is difficult.
Tech and Accessories
Portable power bank. Full days on the boat mean no charging opportunities. A 10,000mAh power bank keeps your phone alive. Bring a micro-USB or USB-C cable depending on your devices.
Offline maps. Download Google Maps or Maps.me for El Nido before you arrive. Mobile data works in town but gets spotty on the boat and at some tour stops.
Local SIM card. Buy a Globe or Smart SIM at Puerto Princesa airport or El Nido town. Data packages are cheap (around ₱200-300 for a week of data) and useful for navigation and messaging.
What to Leave Behind
Leave formal clothes home entirely. You won’t need them. Same with heavy hiking boots (the viewpoint trails in El Nido are manageable in trail runners or even good sandals). Excessive camera gear is also a liability on the boat, a phone and one compact camera is enough for most travelers.
Non-reef-safe sunscreen should be left at home or disposed of before you get on the boat. It’s not just a rule, the reef ecosystem in El Nido is genuinely worth protecting.
El Nido Packing Checklist
| Item | Priority |
|---|---|
| Reef-safe sunscreen | Essential |
| Dry bag (10-15L) | Essential |
| Water shoes / reef sandals | Essential |
| Rashguard / UV shirt | Essential |
| Philippine Peso cash | Essential |
| Swimwear (2-3 sets) | Essential |
| Snorkel mask (own) | Highly recommended |
| Waterproof camera / GoPro | Highly recommended |
| Power bank (10,000mAh+) | Highly recommended |
| Motion sickness tablets | Recommended |
| After-sun / aloe vera | Recommended |
| Insect repellent | Recommended |
| Light evening clothing | Recommended |
| Offline maps downloaded | Recommended |
| Local SIM with data | Recommended |
FAQ: El Nido Packing Questions
Q: Can I buy reef-safe sunscreen in El Nido?
Yes, a few shops sell it in town, but stock is unreliable, quality varies, and prices are higher than buying at home. Bring your own to be safe.
Q: Is there a laundry service in El Nido?
Yes, multiple laundry shops in town offer same-day or next-day service for around ₱100-150 per kilo. Pack light and do laundry mid-trip.
Q: Do I need a wetsuit for snorkeling in El Nido?
No. Water temperatures are warm year-round (26-30°C). A rashguard is sufficient for UV protection and adds light warmth if you’re spending hours in the water.
Q: Is there reliable ATM access in El Nido?
There are ATMs but they run out of cash during peak season and charge foreign card fees. Withdraw sufficient pesos in Puerto Princesa before you travel to El Nido.
Q: Can I rent snorkel gear in El Nido?
Yes, basic gear is included with island hopping tours. Better equipment can be rented from shops in town. If snorkeling quality matters to you, bring your own mask.
Book Your El Nido Island Hopping
Now that you know what to pack, get the trip booked. CMT’s El Nido packages include island hopping tours, van transfer from Puerto Princesa, accommodation, and daily breakfast, everything sorted so you just show up with your dry bag and enjoy the lagoons. Browse our full Palawan package range to find the right fit.