El Nido is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world — from the famous white sand of Nacpan to hidden coves accessible only by swimming through rock walls. This El Nido beaches guide ranks and reviews every major beach so you can choose the right ones for your trip.
- El Nido Beaches: Master Comparison Table
- The Best Beaches in El Nido — Detailed Reviews
- 1. Nacpan Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Best Overall Beach
- 2. Seven Commandos Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Best Tour Beach
- 3. Hidden Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Most Dramatic Setting
- 4. Pinagbuyutan Island ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Most Photogenic
- 5. Maremegmeg Beach (Las Cabanas) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Best Sunset Beach
- 6. Calitang Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Best Hidden Beach on Land
- 7. Duli Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Best for Surf & Solitude
- 8. Corong-Corong Beach ⭐⭐⭐ — Best for Sunsets & Atmosphere
- Best Beaches by Purpose
El Nido Beaches: Master Comparison Table
| Beach | Sand Quality | Swimming | Snorkeling | Crowds | How to Reach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nacpan Beach | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | 🟡 Moderate | Motorbike/tricycle (45km) |
| Seven Commandos | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🔴 Busy (Tour A) | Boat only |
| Hidden Beach | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | 🟡 Moderate | Boat + swim (Tour C) |
| Calitang Beach | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | 🟢 Quiet | Walk from Nacpan north end |
| Pinagbuyutan Island | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | 🟡 Moderate (Tour B) | Boat only |
| Maremegmeg (Las Cabanas) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | 🟡 Moderate | Tricycle (4km) |
| Corong-Corong | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | 🟢 Quiet | Walk/tricycle (2km) |
| Lio Beach | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | 🟢 Often empty | Tricycle (3km) |
| Duli Beach | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ (surf) | ⭐⭐ | 🟢 Very quiet | Motorbike (35km north) |
| Helicopter Island | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🟡 Moderate | Boat only (Tour C or D) |
| Star Beach | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | 🟢 Quiet | Boat only (Tour C) |
| Nat-Nat Beach | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | 🟢 Very quiet | Boat only (Tour D) |
The Best Beaches in El Nido — Detailed Reviews
1. Nacpan Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Best Overall Beach
Consistently ranked among Asia’s best beaches, Nacpan is a 4km arc of powdery white sand backed by coconut palms and jungle. Unlike the island-hopping beaches, Nacpan is accessible by road — making it easy to spend a full day here without a boat tour.
- Sand: Fine white powder, soft underfoot
- Water: Clear turquoise, calm in the morning; moderate waves in the afternoon
- Snorkeling: Limited coral close to shore — better for swimming
- Facilities: Beach shacks serving food and drinks (₱150–₱400); no ATMs — bring cash
- Best time: Arrive by 9am for calm water and fewest people
- Getting there: Motorbike (~₱500–₱600/day rental) or tricycle (₱500–₱700 round trip)
2. Seven Commandos Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Best Tour Beach
The main lunch stop on Tour A, Seven Commandos is a long white beach with excellent swimming, good shallow snorkeling, and a lively atmosphere. It’s the most accessible of the archipelago beaches and often the favourite for first-timers.
- Sand: White, fine, long stretch
- Swimming: Excellent — calm, clear, shallow entry
- Snorkeling: Reef fish visible close to the rocky ends of the beach
- Facilities: Restrooms, fresh water rinse, lunch included on tours
- Accessible via: Tour A or private charter
3. Hidden Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Most Dramatic Setting
Hidden Beach lives up to its name — it’s only accessible by swimming through a narrow gap in the towering limestone cliffs. Inside, a small white-sand cove is completely enclosed by sheer rock walls, with crystal-clear water and an overwhelming sense of discovery. Frequently cited as the single most beautiful spot in El Nido.
- Setting: Enclosed cove, dramatic cliff walls, almost otherworldly
- Access: Swim through a submerged rock gap (requires confidence in water; life jackets available)
- Accessible via: Tour C or private charter
- Size: Very small — gets crowded when multiple tour boats arrive simultaneously
- Tip: Visit early in the day or on a private charter to have it to yourself
4. Pinagbuyutan Island ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Most Photogenic
The standout beach on Tour B, Pinagbuyutan Island has a dramatically shaped beach — a thin strip of white sand curving around a limestone hill covered in lush jungle. It photographs magnificently and is far less crowded than Seven Commandos or the lagoons.
- Best for: Photography, swimming, quieter experience
- Crowds: Fewer boats than Tour A stops
- Accessible via: Tour B or private charter
5. Maremegmeg Beach (Las Cabanas) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Best Sunset Beach
Just 4km from El Nido town, Maremegmeg (often called Las Cabanas Beach) is the most accessible non-town beach and is famous for its western-facing sunset views. The Las Cabanas Beach Resort operates here with sun loungers, a bar, a zip-line across the bay, and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Best time: Late afternoon (4–6pm) for sunset colours
- Zip-line: ₱350–₱500 across the small bay — fun and good views
- Facilities: Bar, restaurant, sun loungers, kayak rental
- Getting there: Tricycle from town (₱100–₱150, 15 min)
6. Calitang Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Best Hidden Beach on Land
The quieter twin to Nacpan, Calitang faces west rather than north, giving calmer water and spectacular late-afternoon light. Almost no day-trippers make it this far. Walk the full length of Nacpan Beach (45 min) and cross the narrow sandbar to reach it.
7. Duli Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Best for Surf & Solitude
35km north of El Nido town, Duli is wide, wild, and almost deserted. It catches consistent swell from October to April, making it the only real surf beach in the El Nido area. Outside surf season, it’s simply a beautiful remote beach.
- Getting there: Motorbike essential (45-min ride north of Nacpan)
- Surfing: Best Oct–Apr; lessons available at the surf camp (~₱800–₱1,200)
- Stay: Basic surf camp accommodation available overnight
8. Corong-Corong Beach ⭐⭐⭐ — Best for Sunsets & Atmosphere
El Nido town’s main beach strip, Corong-Corong is lined with restaurants and bars. The beach itself is narrow with grey-ish sand, but the atmosphere — especially at sunset with the fishing boats and limestone silhouettes — is magical. This is where you come for sundowners, not swimming.
- Best for: Sunset drinks at Republica or Sava Beach Bar
- Swimming: Possible but not the beach’s main draw
- 2km walk or ₱50 tricycle from the town center
Best Beaches by Purpose
| Purpose | Best Beach | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Nacpan Beach | Seven Commandos |
| Best for swimming | Lio Beach / Seven Commandos | Star Beach |
| Best for snorkeling | Helicopter Island | Payong-Payong Beach |
| Best for photos | Hidden Beach | Pinagbuyutan Island |
| Best for sunset | Corong-Corong / Las Cabanas | Calitang Beach |
| Least crowded | Duli Beach | Nat-Nat Beach |
| Most dramatic scenery | Hidden Beach | Small Lagoon entrance |
| Best by road (no boat) | Nacpan Beach | Duli Beach |
Planning your beach days? See our 5-Day Itinerary for the optimal schedule, our Tour Comparison Guide for island-hopping choices, and our Snorkeling Guide for the best underwater spots.
