TL;DR: Pick Seven Commandos if you want a classic island-hopping beach stop with clear water and palms (you reach it by boat, usually on Tour A); pick Las Cabanas if you want a mainland beach you can visit any afternoon by tricycle for sunset, a zipline and beach bars.
Seven Commandos Beach and Las Cabanas Beach are two of the most photographed stretches of sand around El Nido, and they often end up on the same shortlist. Yet they solve very different problems. One is a boat-access beach inside Bacuit Bay that most visitors only see for an hour on a tour. The other is a mainland beach south of town that you can reach in minutes, return to on any evening, and pair with dinner.
This guide focuses on choosing between these two beaches specifically for travelers with limited days in El Nido who want one great “beach block” in their itinerary and do not want to waste half a day on the wrong one. We compare access, cost, swimming conditions, crowds, sunset value, food, and who each beach suits best, then give you sample half-day plans for both.
Seven Commandos vs Las Cabanas at a Glance
Before getting into the details, here is the short version. The table below compares the two beaches on the factors that usually decide the choice.
| Factor | Seven Commandos Beach | Las Cabanas Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Mainland coast of Bacuit Bay, north-west of town, cut off by cliffs | Mainland, Corong-Corong / Maremegmeg area, about 5 km south of town |
| How you get there | Boat only (Tour A, private boat, or kayak from nearby) | Tricycle or scooter, roughly 10–20 minutes from town |
| Typical time spent | 45–90 minutes as a tour stop | As long as you like; most visitors stay 2–4 hours |
| Main cost | Included in your tour price (plus the eco-tourism fee) | Tricycle fare; optional zipline, drinks and loungers |
| Best time | Late morning to early afternoon on a calm day | Late afternoon into sunset |
| Crowds | Busy in waves when several tour boats arrive together | Busiest around sunset, quieter in the morning |
| Swimming | Clear, calm water on good days; shallow sandy entry | Generally gentle; can get choppy, check the flags and tides |
| Food and drink | A simple beach shack with drinks and snacks; lunch is on the boat | Several beach bars and restaurants nearby |
If you are already booked on Tour A, Seven Commandos is effectively free and you do not need to “choose” it at all. The real question is whether Las Cabanas deserves a separate afternoon, and for most first-time visitors the answer is yes.
Seven Commandos Beach: The Island-Hopping Classic
Seven Commandos Beach is a long, pale crescent of sand backed by coconut palms and limestone cliffs. It is said to be named after a wartime story about seven soldiers who were stranded there, though the details vary depending on who tells it. Today it is best known as a regular stop on El Nido Tour A, usually visited alongside Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon and Shimizu Island.
What makes it special is the water. On calm days the shallows glow turquoise, there is a gentle sandy slope into the sea, and you get that postcard view of karst islands across the bay. There is usually a small beach bar selling coconuts, soft drinks and beer, plus a volleyball net and a few hammocks. For a deeper profile of the beach itself, see our Seven Commandos Beach guide.
The downside is control. You arrive when your boat arrives, and you leave when your captain calls everyone back. In peak months several tour boats can land within minutes of each other, so the beach can go from quiet to crowded fast. Because there is no road, you cannot simply come back at sunset.
Las Cabanas Beach: The Mainland Sunset Beach
Las Cabanas sits on the mainland south of town, in the Corong-Corong and Maremegmeg area. It faces west over the bay, which is why it has become El Nido’s go-to sunset beach. The sand is golden rather than white, and the view takes in several islands, including the small islet that the zipline runs to.
The big advantage is freedom. You can ride a tricycle from town in roughly 10–20 minutes depending on traffic and your drop-off point, arrive whenever you like, and stay for dinner. Beach bars and resort restaurants line parts of the shore, and you can rent loungers. If you want an adrenaline hit, the Las Cabanas zipline crosses to a nearby islet, and you return by boat or by walking across at low tide.
Our full Las Cabanas Beach guide covers the layout and where to sit. The trade-off is that Las Cabanas feels more developed than Seven Commandos, and the sunset crowd can be large in high season.
Access, Cost and Logistics Compared
Seven Commandos: The simplest way is to join Tour A. Shared tours are usually priced per person and include lunch, a guide and snorkel gear, though prices change each season, so confirm at a licensed agency. You will also need to pay the municipality’s Eco-Tourism Development Fee (ETDF), which is valid for several days and covers all standard tours during that period. Private boats can visit Seven Commandos on a custom route, which is the best way to avoid the busiest window. Always book through a licensed operator; our guide to spotting unlicensed tour operators explains what to check.
Las Cabanas: Your main costs are the tricycle there and back, plus whatever you spend on drinks, food, loungers or the zipline. Tricycle drivers usually quote a fixed fare to Las Cabanas; agree on it before you ride, and consider arranging a return pick-up time because tricycles can be scarce right after sunset. Carry some cash, since not every beach vendor takes cards or e-wallets. See GCash vs cash in El Nido for what works where.
Swimming, Snorkeling and Safety
Seven Commandos generally offers the better swimming and snorkeling of the two. The bay side is more sheltered, the water is often clearer, and your boat crew carries snorkel gear. There is some coral and fish life off the edges, although the best snorkeling on Tour A is usually at other stops.
Las Cabanas is fine for a swim, but conditions vary more with wind and tide. Some sections are shallow with patches of rock or seagrass. In the habagat (south-west monsoon) months the sea on this side can get choppy. Check local flags, avoid swimming alone after dark, and wear reef-safe sunscreen at both beaches. If you plan to walk out toward the islet at low tide, learn how to read a tide chart first so you are not caught by the incoming water. For general sea and weather updates, the Philippine weather agency PAGASA publishes forecasts and gale warnings that also affect tour cancellations.
Crowds, Timing and Photography
At Seven Commandos, timing is in your captain’s hands on a shared tour, but you can still help yourself. Ask your agency whether their Tour A route visits Seven Commandos early or late in the day; some reverse the order to avoid the crowd. On a private boat, aim for late morning before the big lunch wave or mid-afternoon after it.
At Las Cabanas, the sweet spot for photos is the hour before sunset, when the light warms up and the islands turn into silhouettes. Morning visits are much quieter and good for a calm swim, but you lose the main reason most people go. For sunrise and sunset times through the year, check a reliable source such as timeanddate.com before you plan.
Which Beach Should You Choose?
Choose Seven Commandos if you are doing Tour A anyway, you want the clearest water and most “island” feel, or you are a strong swimmer who wants to snorkel. Choose Las Cabanas if you have a free afternoon, want a sunset with a drink in hand, are travelling with kids or older relatives who prefer short transfers, or you are recovering from a long boat day.
Honestly, most visitors with three or more days should do both: Seven Commandos as part of Tour A and Las Cabanas on a separate evening. If you only have one free half-day and you have already seen Tour A, Las Cabanas is the better use of it. If you are torn between Las Cabanas and the long northern beach, our Nacpan vs Las Cabanas comparison may help.
Sample half-day plans
- Seven Commandos focus: Book a private boat for 9:00, visit Seven Commandos first, then a lagoon, and be back in town by early afternoon.
- Las Cabanas focus: Leave town around 15:30, swim and zipline before 17:00, grab a lounger for sunset, eat at a beach restaurant, and take your pre-arranged tricycle back.
Key Takeaways
- Seven Commandos is boat-access only and is normally visited on Tour A; Las Cabanas is a short tricycle ride from town.
- Seven Commandos usually wins for clear water and snorkeling; Las Cabanas wins for sunset, food and flexibility.
- Pay the Eco-Tourism Development Fee and book tours only through licensed operators.
- Arrange a return tricycle from Las Cabanas before sunset to avoid waiting.
- Check tides and weather forecasts before swimming or walking out at Las Cabanas.
- With three or more days, plan to visit both beaches on different days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get to Seven Commandos Beach by land?
Not practically. The beach is backed by cliffs and is reached by boat, usually as part of Tour A or on a private boat. Some visitors kayak from nearby beaches on calm days, but that should only be attempted with local advice.
Is Las Cabanas Beach free to enter?
Las Cabanas is a public beach, so you can walk on the sand without a ticket. You pay for tricycle transport and any extras such as drinks, loungers or the zipline. Some beachfront resorts may ask non-guests to order something to use their facilities.
Which beach is better for sunset?
Las Cabanas, by a wide margin. It faces west over the bay and you can stay after dark. On a shared tour you usually leave Seven Commandos long before sunset.
Which beach is better for snorkeling?
Seven Commandos and the surrounding Tour A stops generally offer clearer water and more marine life. Las Cabanas is better thought of as a swimming and relaxing beach.
Can I do both beaches in one day?
Yes. Join Tour A in the morning, return to town by mid-afternoon, then take a tricycle to Las Cabanas for sunset. It is a long day, so bring water and sun protection.
Seven Commandos and Las Cabanas are not really rivals: one is the best beach on a classic boat day, the other is the best evening beach you can reach from town. Use the table above to decide which fits the gap in your itinerary, and if you can, enjoy both. For official tourism updates on Palawan, the Department of Tourism and the general El Nido overview on Wikipedia are good starting points.
About the Author
This guide was compiled by the El Nido Hotels Ranking editorial team, with input from local operators and ongoing on-the-ground updates.
