El Nido is for every body. Still, small Palawan logistics — narrow van seats, wobbly boat planks, one-size life jackets, tiny tricycle sidecars — can make plus-size travellers feel like the destination was not designed with them in mind. With the right preparation, those friction points mostly disappear.
This guide focuses on El Nido specifically for plus-size and larger-bodied travellers, including taller and broader travellers who face the same issues. It is a practical listicle of ten tips drawn from the way transport, tours and hotels actually work on the ground, so you can spend your energy on the lagoons rather than on logistics.
- Getting There: Flights, Vans and Tricycles
- Boats and Island Hopping
- Kayaks, Snorkelling and Activities
- Hotels and Everyday Comfort
- Heat, Chafing and Clothing
- Activity Comfort at a Glance
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Are El Nido island-hopping tours suitable for plus-size travelers?
- Do El Nido boats have larger life jackets?
- Can I buy two seats on the van from Puerto Princesa?
- Is it easy to find plus-size swimwear in El Nido?
- Which El Nido activities are least physically demanding?
- Is the Taraw Cliff climb doable for plus-size travelers?
Getting There: Flights, Vans and Tricycles
1. Book seats strategically
Domestic flights into Puerto Princesa are mostly on narrow-body jets with standard economy seats. Paying for an exit row or a front-row seat gives you more legroom and often easier access. If you prefer to fly into Lio Airport, the small turboprop aircraft have compact seating, so check the airline’s seat dimensions and whether it offers an extra-seat purchase policy before booking. Ask for a seatbelt extender discreetly when boarding — crews carry them as standard.
2. Upgrade the van ride, or buy two seats
The 5–6 hour shared van from Puerto Princesa packs up to a dozen passengers into bench seats. It is the single most uncomfortable part of the trip for many larger travellers. Three options make it far better:
- Reserve the front passenger seat, which is usually a single seat with more space.
- Pay for two seats on a shared van — most operators will sell you an extra seat if you ask when booking.
- Split a private van with your group, which gives everyone room to spread out and lets you stop when you want.
In town, tricycle sidecars are tight. Do not hesitate to ride one person per tricycle or sit behind the driver if that is more comfortable. Drivers are used to all kinds of passengers and luggage arrangements.
A final transport tip: travel light, or at least with luggage you can roll easily. Vans pile bags on the roof or in the back, and walking from the terminal or a beach drop-off to your hotel can involve sand, steps and uneven pavements. A medium suitcase plus a backpack is far easier to manage in the heat than one huge bag.
Boats and Island Hopping
3. Bring your own life jacket if you can
Life jackets are mandatory on every El Nido boat, but tour boats often carry mainly standard adult sizes. A jacket that does not close properly is uncomfortable and unsafe. If you have a well-fitting personal flotation device or a buoyancy aid from home, bring it. If not, message your tour agency in advance, state your chest size, and ask them to confirm a larger jacket will be on board. Private tours make this easier to guarantee.
4. Ask how boarding works before you book
Many bangkas are boarded from the beach by walking through shallow water and climbing a narrow plank or ladder at the side. Others board from a pier. Crews are skilled at helping passengers, and it is completely normal to accept a steadying hand. If climbing a ladder from the water after snorkelling worries you, ask whether the boat has a sturdier ladder at the back, and practise on the first stop while you are fresh. Our bangka boat guide shows typical layouts, and the catamaran vs bangka comparison explains why catamarans, with wide stern steps, can be easier to board.
Also think about water entry and exit at each stop. Some beaches have steep, coarse sand or rocks under the waterline, which can make getting back into the boat harder. Water shoes give you grip, and there is no shame in waiting on the beach while others swim at a stop that does not suit you. Many travellers say their favourite moments were simply floating in calm, clear water near the boat rather than chasing every activity.
5. Choose your seat and your tour size
Bench seating on shared tours can be cramped when the boat is full. Board early and choose a seat near the middle, where there is usually more room and less motion. A private boat avoids the squeeze entirely and lets you set the pace — compare options in our group vs private tour guide and our best boat seat guide.
Kayaks, Snorkelling and Activities
6. Request a double kayak or a sit-on-top
Lagoon kayaks are usually sit-on-top doubles, which are stable and roomy. If weight limits concern you, ask the operator about the kayak’s capacity and consider paddling as a single in a double kayak, or paddling with a lighter partner. Read our lagoon kayak rules so you know what to expect at Big and Small Lagoon.
7. Pack your own snorkel gear and swimwear you love
Rental masks, fins and rash guards are often only available in smaller sizes. Bringing your own mask, comfortable fins and a long-sleeved rash guard in your size improves both comfort and safety. Choose swimwear you feel great in — El Nido’s beaches are relaxed, and nobody is judging. For steep or rocky activities like the Taraw Cliff climb, be honest about your fitness and joint health, and choose a guide willing to go at your pace. Gentler alternatives include mangrove kayaking and beach walks at Nacpan.
Diving is also open to plus-size travellers. Reputable dive centres carry a wider range of wetsuit and BCD sizes than snorkel rental stalls, and instructors are used to adjusting weight systems for different body types. Tell the shop your sizes when booking so they can prepare the right equipment before you arrive.
Hotels and Everyday Comfort
8. Ask hotels the right questions
Before booking, message hotels and ask about stairs (many hillside resorts have long staircases), shower size, chair styles in the restaurant, bed size, and whether there is a lift. Ground-floor rooms near the main building save a lot of walking in the heat. Our room types explained guide helps decode category names, and our mobility guide lists properties with easier access.
When it comes to dining, most restaurants in El Nido use standard chairs, and some beach bars use low stools, beanbags or floor cushions. If those are uncomfortable, simply ask for a regular table and chair — staff will usually rearrange things happily. Resort restaurants and larger cafés in town tend to have the sturdiest seating.
Heat, Chafing and Clothing
9. Plan for chafing and heat
El Nido is hot and humid all year. Chafing is a real issue on long boat days and hot walks. Pack anti-chafe balm, bike shorts or swim shorts to wear under dresses, quick-dry clothing, and plenty of powder. Drink water steadily, rest in the shade in the middle of the day, and read our heat and sun safety guide. The CDC Philippines page also has general heat and health advice.
Sun protection deserves extra attention on boat days. Reflected light off the water burns skin quickly, especially on thighs, shoulders and the backs of the legs that are often exposed while sitting on deck. Use reef-safe sunscreen generously, reapply after every swim, and consider a light sarong or long rash guard for full coverage.
10. Bring clothes from home
Shops in El Nido mainly stock smaller sizes in local and Asian sizing, so finding replacement clothing, swimwear or shoes in larger sizes can be difficult. Pack a spare swimsuit, extra underwear and a backup pair of sandals. If you lose or damage something, larger malls in Puerto Princesa offer more options.
Mindset matters too. The most common feedback from plus-size travellers who have visited El Nido is that the worry beforehand was bigger than any real problem on the ground. Local crews and hotel staff are generally warm, practical and unfazed. Ask for what you need clearly and early, and you will find most people are happy to help.
Activity Comfort at a Glance
| Activity | Physical demand | Main comfort issue | Easy fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared island-hopping tour | Low to medium | Crowded benches, boarding | Board early, middle seat, own life jacket |
| Private bangka | Low to medium | Boarding ladder | Ask for stern ladder, accept a hand |
| Lagoon kayaking | Medium | Kayak capacity | Use a double kayak |
| Taraw Cliff climb | High | Steep, sharp rocks | Skip or go slow with a patient guide |
| Nacpan Beach day | Low | Heat | Shade, hat, water, anti-chafe balm |
| Las Cabanas sunset | Low | Short sandy walk | Water shoes or sandals |
For more information on visiting the Philippines, the Department of Tourism publishes official updates, and the El Nido Wikipedia page gives a useful overview of the area’s geography and history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are El Nido island-hopping tours suitable for plus-size travelers?
Yes. Most tours are low to moderate effort. The main issues are boarding and life jacket sizes, which you can solve by asking ahead or booking a private boat.
Do El Nido boats have larger life jackets?
Some do, but not all. Message your tour operator in advance with your size, or bring your own well-fitting jacket.
Can I buy two seats on the van from Puerto Princesa?
Many operators will sell an extra seat on request. Alternatively, reserve the front seat or split a private van with your group.
Is it easy to find plus-size swimwear in El Nido?
Not really. Local shops mostly carry smaller sizes, so bring spare swimwear and clothing from home.
Which El Nido activities are least physically demanding?
Beach days at Nacpan or Las Cabanas, sunset viewing and private boat tours with short routes are the gentlest options.
Is the Taraw Cliff climb doable for plus-size travelers?
It is steep, sharp and physically demanding. Fit travellers of any size can do it with a patient guide, but gentler options like Nacpan Beach or mangrove kayaking are better if you have joint concerns.
Featured photo via Wikimedia Commons.
