Before: Island Hopping B, El Nido, Philippines
Island Hopping Tour C is the most expensive of the four island-hopping tours arranged by El Nido local government and carried out by tour operators. But it’s worth every penny. In my case, the hard swim from our boat to the entrance of the Secret Beach is an experience I will never forget. Going back to the hotel that night, I messaged my sisters and told them to go pack and travel while their young bodies can still make it.
Tour C consists of Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Star Beach, and Hidden Beach. We didn’t go to Hidden Beach because the waves were too strong. Instead, we went to Cadlao Lagoon which actually belongs to Tour D. I was glad though because Cadlao was soooo beautiful. In my opinion, it was even more beautiful than Big and Small Lagoon. The water was every color between turquoise blue and emerald green.
Secret Beach
Our first destination was Secret Beach. We were chatting and laughing happily when some other boats floating near the towering limestone cliffs came into our view. Before I could see any beach, our guide told us to get ready to swim towards a spot where we could see several people in the water. He told us to avoid swimming too close to the cliff.
The waves were strong. We put on our life vests. My husband and sons put on their goggles and I put on my snorkel gear, then we got into the water. I was never a good swimmer. The swim felt so long I thought I might never reach that secret bitch, I mean, beach. When at last I came near the hole where swimmers were pulled in one by one by some “angel” standing in the middle of that opening, I thought I had at last entered paradise.
I would have thanked him if only I was not so overwhelmed by my tiredness and the sudden change of my surroundings. The strong waves that seemed to stop me from swimming forward and the dark water under me had disappeared. Now under me was shallow - clear - calm water with pretty fishes and rocks (I would definitely buy a pair of aqua shoes next time I go to a beach). I gladly took off my snorkeling gear and waded in the water toward the secret beach that was not a secret anymore now.
Tips: The islands in Tour C are farther and you need to do more swimming. If you arrive in El Nido when the waves were gentler, definitely do Tour C first.
Star Beach
We had our lunch here at the small beach. There were only us and one small family so we spent more time swimming and snorkeling here before and after lunch.
Cadlao Lagoon
We were supposed to go to Hidden Beach but due to the weather, we went to Cadlao Lagoon instead.
Cadlao is the biggest island of the Bacuit archipelago and the lagoon is … wow… just wow. The boat glided through the turquoise water among the limestone cliffs so close that I felt like I could touch it. It was a dream-like experience. The water was all turquoise with no beach in sight that when I saw it I had this urge inside of me to just jump into it and melt inside.
The place was amazing… truly amazing.
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