Hidden Beach El Nido is a pristine cove of sparkling white sand and crystal clear water, tucked away behind a sheer limestone cliff. With so many beautiful El Nido tourist spots, it’s hard to choose a favourite, but when it comes to an idyllic beach for a little R&R, Hidden Beach El Nido takes the cake.
Hidden though it may be, this paradise is typically crawling with tourists, so we were incredibly lucky to have the entire beach to ourselves. One of the perks of pandemic travel, so if you can get yourself to El Nido, Palawan before tourism picks up again, we can’t recommend it enough.
WHERE IS HIDDEN BEACH EL NIDO
Located on Mantinloc Island, Hidden Beach El Nido can only be reached via boat. It’s around a 45-minute pump boat ride through Bacuit Bay to Hidden Beach, however, based on its location it can sometimes be too choppy to access. Despite having been El Nido island hopping 3 previous times, this was our first time at Hidden Beach because the sea was calm enough to allow us to disembark. All we can say is it was well worth the wait!
Hidden Beach El Nido is part of the Matinloc Island tour, formerly known as Tour C. On this package you’ll visit Matinloc Shrine, Hidden Beach and Secret Beach – and yes there is a difference between Hidden and Secret!
HOW TO BOOK AN EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING TOUR
We did considerable research before choosing our tour company, and can’t recommend Ape Tours enough. The whole crew was so fun and professional, with the added bonus of being skilled behind a camera. It’s ₱7000 for 4pax which includes lunch, drinks, environmental permit, kayaks and photos! If you want to book with Ape Tours, quote ‘NOPOSTCODE’ to receive 10% off your tour!
PALAWAN TOUR PACKAGES
WHAT TO BRING TO HIDDEN BEACH EL NIDO
Prepare for your trip to Hidden Beach El Nido with our must-have travel essentials.
Waterproof backpack & phone case: Earth Pak 35L or 55L Heavy Duty Backpack, IPX8 Waterproof Phone Case Included (click for price)
Snorkel, mask & fins: Cressi Adjustable Mask, Fin & Snorkel Set with Carry Bag (click for price)
Quick-dry microfiber travel towel: Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Travel Towel (click for price)
Insulated water bottle: Hydro Flask Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle (click for price)
Hiking Sandals: Teva Women’s Hurricane Hiking Sandals (click for price), Teva Men’s Hurricane Hiking Sandals (click for price)
If you’re interested in photography and/or videography this is the gear we can’t live without:
Professional camera: Sony a7iii (click for price)
Action camera: GoPro HERO9 Black (click for price)
Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro (click for price)
WHAT TO EXPECT AT HIDDEN BEACH EL NIDO
We dropped the anchor to the left of Hidden Beach El Nido and swam the short distance to the limestone entrance. You can take the easy way and walk through the channel to the beach, or you can pass through a small cave and step into paradise that way. We opted for the cave and it was pure magic.
During the regular tourist season, this stunning stretch of sand is usually dotted with holidaymakers in orange lifejackets, but lo and behold not a single fluorescent person had to be photoshopped out! We were so incredibly lucky to be able to experience Hidden Beach El Nido how it must’ve been years ago, secluded and well… hidden.
We swam, we relaxed, we walked the length of the beach collecting and then racing hermit crabs. It was honestly perfect. If there’s one beach we hope you can visit during your El Nido island hopping, it’s Hidden Beach.
PIN IT FOR LATER
MORE EL NIDO TOURIST SPOTS
WHERE TO STAY IN EL NIDO
There’s no shortage of accommodation in El Nido, but having all those options can be a little overwhelming when it comes to choosing the best place to stay. We’ve chosen our top four picks for budget, midscale, boutique and luxury hotels in El Nido to make things easier for you.
BUDGET: DEN’GI INN
If you’re planning on being in El Nido for a while and you’re not looking to break the bank, Den’Gi Inn is our top recommendation. We stayed for two weeks and found it was the best value for money. It’s one of the cheapest properties in El Nido, but offers clean rooms, good amenities and is in a prime location in town.
MIDSCALE: FRENDZ HOSTEL
Frendz Hostel has a million dollar view without the million dollar price tag. It’s right in the centre of town but its height offers unbeatable views of the bay. From private to share rooms, it boasts having a bed for every budget, and its social environment makes it a great place to make new friends.
BOUTIQUE: THE BIRDHOUSE
If you’re looking for something a little different, The Birdhouse is that something. It’s a small five tent glamping hotel with unbeatable sunset views. Their tents are decked out with all the finer things in life, including private bathrooms, and their yoga platform is a destination in its own right.
LUXURY: SEDA LIO
For those with a little more cash to throw around we recommend Seda Lio, one of the biggest luxury beach resorts on the mainland. Housed within the Lio Tourism Estate, Seda Lio offers a haven to escape to after a long day of activities and island hopping.
