The Northern Palawan Sanctuary

VIP tarmac welcome at Lio Airport (ENI) in El Nido. Private luxury speedboat transfer across the glassy waters of Bacuit Bay to El Nido Resorts Pangulasian Island — known as the "Island of the Sun." Stunning turquoise water, jagged limestone karsts rising from the sea, and the absolute privacy of a beachfront villa. Early arrivals explore the pristine beaches and extraordinary Bacuit Bay views. Welcome dinner at the resort.

Swimming from the private boat through a tiny hidden rock opening in a limestone cliff to enter the Secret Lagoon — the cool, clear water and towering limestone walls creating a serene and magical atmosphere. Snorkelling through shallow crystal-clear pools containing small reef fish and colourful crabs. Exploring surrounding hidden caves and coves. A genuinely secret world discovered through an impossibly small rock entrance.

Private luxury kayak navigating the calm turquoise water channels of the Big Lagoon — limestone karsts rising from the water with transparent water revealing sea grass beds below. Gazing down through transparent water to view blue starfish and harmless black-tip reef shark pups resting in the sea grass. Hand-crafted cocktails from a private carpet-and-pillow setup on a deserted island beach as the sun drops behind the limestone karsts.

Sailing the private outrigger to the hidden gem of Cadlao Lagoon — a crowd-free morning snorkelling through a secret emerald basin surrounded by towering black limestone monoliths. Massive sea turtles swimming lazily beneath the surface in this sanctuary away from all public tour boats. History and significance of this hidden lagoon explained by your guide.

Cruising to Shimizu Island for snorkelling over a deep vibrant coral garden teeming with multi-coloured parrotfish, damselfish, and clownfish. A surprise white-linen cooked breakfast set up by your private chef on a pristine isolated white-sand cove beneath a massive limestone overhang — dining in absolute privacy with extraordinary ocean views.

Relaxed morning with an in-villa traditional Filipino massage. At night: heading out on a private boat to snorkel with specialised underwater torches viewing nocturnal reef life — marine creatures behaving entirely differently in the dark. Then turning off all lights to swim among glittering clouds of glowing Bioluminescent Plankton — one of the most magical marine experiences on Earth.

A day on the private island of Entalula. Putting on water shoes for a guided reef-walk at low tide: giant blue clams and sea cucumbers visible in shallow pools. Your guide explains the reef ecology and conservation importance. Then a deep-water snorkel along the outer reef wall with vibrant coral formations and rich marine life.

Cruising to the unique silhouette of Dilumacad — known as Helicopter Island for its distinctive shape. Snorkelling along a sheer underwater wall filled with giant sea fans, sponge corals, and pelagic fish. The finest deep wall snorkelling in the entire Bacuit Bay archipelago, with your guide pointing out remarkable marine life throughout.

Visiting the historic Matinloc Shrine — a beautiful chapel built on the island with stunning views of the jagged limestone karsts. Snorkelling through deep rocky underwater channels surrounding the island to view schools of silver jacks and hunting barracudas. The day culminates in a final celebratory multi-course bonfire dinner around a grand beachside bonfire on the sand under a canopy of stars.

Relaxed luxury breakfast watching the tide from your beachfront villa. Smooth private speedboat transfer back to Lio Airport for the flight to Puerto Princesa. Complementary spa session at your city hotel. Private Puerto Princesa city tour if missed on Day 1. International departure the following day.