So you’ve done Tour A. You’ve kayaked through the Big Lagoon, queued at Secret Lagoon, and taken the exact same photo from Shimizu Island that 500 other tourists took that day. And El Nido was still incredible.
But here’s the thing: the four official island hopping tours only scratch the surface. El Nido has beaches and coves that most visitors never reach, either because they don’t know about them or because getting there requires a bit more effort. This guide covers the ones worth seeking out.
Why Look Beyond the Main Tours?
The official Tour A through Tour D circuits are brilliant, and we recommend them to every visitor. But they operate on a schedule, share the same stops with 15 to 20 other boats, and hit certain spots at peak crowd times. Some of El Nido’s most beautiful locations sit just outside these circuits, accessible by private boat, tricycle, or a short hike.
The beaches below aren’t secret in the Instagram sense – some get written up in travel blogs regularly. But they’re reliably less crowded than the main tour stops, and a few of them are genuinely hard to find without local knowledge. Our team at CMT has been exploring these spots for years, and this list reflects what we’d actually tell a friend.
Nacpan Beach: El Nido’s Most Underrated Long Beach
Nacpan gets mentioned in travel guides but still receives a fraction of the foot traffic of the main tour beaches. That’s partly because getting there takes effort: it’s about 45 minutes north of El Nido town by tricycle (₱300 to ₱400 for the whole tricycle, not per person), on a road that gets rough toward the end.
What you get when you arrive: four kilometers of white sand, calm water most of the year, a handful of small beach bars, and the kind of quiet that’s hard to find in El Nido proper. There’s good swimming along most of the beach. The northern end connects with Calitang Beach via a short walk through the trees, giving you essentially two beaches for the price of one trip.
Insider tip: go on a weekday and arrive before 10:00 AM. By noon, day-trippers start arriving from town and the beach bar area gets busier. But the beach is long enough that you can always find a quiet stretch. Bring your own snacks and drinks – options at the beach are limited and priced for tourists (cold coconut for ₱80, beers from ₱100).
Duli Beach: For Surfers and Solitude Seekers
Another 20 minutes past Nacpan, Duli Beach is one of the most remote and beautiful in the El Nido area. The road is rough enough that only motorbikes and sturdy 4x4s make it easily – most tricycles won’t attempt the final stretch. Your options are to rent a motorbike in town (₱600 to ₱800 per day) or hire a private van with a driver willing to make the trip.
Duli is the only real surf beach near El Nido, with consistent small waves from roughly October to April. Even if you don’t surf, the beach has a wild, undeveloped quality that feels genuinely different from the polished tourism of the town area. A few small guesthouses have opened here in recent years, and staying a night or two is an option if you want to go deep.
Malapacao Island: A Private-Boat Escape
Malapacao Island sits in Bacuit Bay and is not included on any of the standard tour circuits. To get there, you need to charter a private boat from El Nido town – expect to pay ₱4,000 to ₱6,000 for a half-day private charter depending on boat size and negotiation skills. Split between 4 to 8 people, it’s affordable.
The island has a long shallow beach on its western side with calm, clear water and very few visitors on a typical day. The snorkeling off the northern tip is excellent – better reef than most of the Tour A stops, in our experience, because the lower foot traffic means the coral hasn’t taken the same beating.
This is the kind of spot where you can actually feel like you have Palawan to yourself for a few hours. Book a private charter through CMT and we can include Malapacao as a custom stop on your itinerary.
Pasandigan Cove: The Tour D Gem Most People Skip
Tour D is the least popular of El Nido’s four official circuits, which is a shame because Pasandigan Cove is genuinely beautiful. It’s a sheltered horseshoe bay with calm, clear water and a small white beach. Because Tour D gets far fewer bookings than Tour A or Tour C, you’ll often find this spot with just one or two other boats.
The cove has good snorkeling along its rocky edges, and at low tide you can walk the full length of the beach. Cadlao Lagoon, also on Tour D, is a bigger and less-visited alternative to the Big Lagoon – fewer kayakers, same dramatic scenery. If you’ve done Tour A and Tour C and want a calmer experience for your third day, Tour D is the pick.
Corong-Corong Beach: The Local’s Sunset Spot
Technically part of El Nido town, Corong-Corong is about 1.5 kilometers from the main beach and accessible on foot or by tricycle (₱30 to ₱50). Most tourists never make it this far because they’re parked at the main strip.
The beach itself is modest – not the finest sand and not set against dramatic cliff scenery. But it’s quiet, the fishing boats come and go throughout the day, and the sunsets here are as good as anywhere in El Nido. A handful of small restaurants and guesthouses line the road behind the beach, with much better prices than the main tourist area. A fresh seafood dinner here runs ₱300 to ₱500 per person versus ₱600 to ₱900 on the main strip.
Igang Beach: Five Minutes from Town, Mostly Empty
This one surprises people. Igang Beach is a short tricycle ride from El Nido town center (₱30 to ₱50), takes less than 10 minutes to reach, and is almost always quiet. It’s a small cove with calm water and shade from the tree line – the kind of spot locals use for a swim on a free afternoon.
It’s not a postcard beach and the water isn’t as clear as the lagoon spots, but it’s free, easy to reach, and a pleasant alternative if you want a swim without committing to a full tour day. Good for a first-morning dip before your tours start or a relaxed last afternoon before departure.
How to Access El Nido’s Hidden Beaches
Most hidden beach options fall into one of three access categories:
By tricycle or motorbike: Nacpan, Duli, Corong-Corong, and Igang are all reachable by land. Tricycles handle the paved roads easily; Duli may require a motorbike for the final stretch. Agree on a price and return time before departure.
By private boat charter: Malapacao and other island destinations require a boat. Private charters from El Nido town run ₱4,000 to ₱8,000 for a half-day depending on boat and destination. Our transport and tour team can arrange custom private charters with boats and routes tailored to what you want to see.
Through Tour D: Pasandigan Cove and Cadlao Lagoon are accessible on the official Tour D. Book at the El Nido Tourism Office or through any licensed tour operator, including CMT’s El Nido packages.
For a full picture of all the island hopping options in El Nido, read our complete Palawan island hopping guide. And if you’re still planning your itinerary, our 3-day El Nido itinerary covers how to structure your time across the main tour circuits.
Frequently Asked Questions: El Nido Hidden Beaches
What is the most secluded beach in El Nido?
Duli Beach is the most remote accessible beach in the El Nido area, about 20 minutes past Nacpan on a rough road. For island beaches, Malapacao Island via private boat charter offers the most privacy on a typical day.
Can I reach Nacpan Beach without a private tour?
Yes. Hire a tricycle from El Nido town for ₱300 to ₱400 return (the whole tricycle, not per person). Agree on a pick-up time when you drop off. It’s a straightforward 45-minute ride north of town.
Are there any beaches I can walk to from El Nido town?
Corong-Corong Beach is about 1.5 kilometers from the main beach and walkable in 15 to 20 minutes. Igang Beach is closer and reachable by a short tricycle ride or a brisk walk. Both are far less crowded than the main strip.
Do I need a private boat to see the hidden beaches?
Not for all of them. Nacpan, Duli, Corong-Corong, and Igang are all reachable by land. For island beaches like Malapacao, you’ll need a boat. The Philippine Department of Tourism recommends booking charters through licensed operators.
What’s the best time of year to visit El Nido’s less-visited beaches?
March to May is the sweet spot – dry conditions, calm seas, and slightly fewer tourists than the December to February peak. Check PAGASA for current weather conditions before heading out to remote spots.
Can CMT arrange a private tour to Malapacao or other off-circuit spots?
Yes. Message us on Facebook at CMT Ticketing and Services and we’ll put together a custom itinerary. We can combine hidden beach stops with snorkeling, lunch on the boat, and transfers all in one package.
Want to go beyond the tourist trail on your next Palawan trip? Message CMT Ticketing and Services on Facebook to book a custom private tour or check out our El Nido tour packages for all options including private charters to spots like these.