Solo travel to El Nido – a breathtaking paradise.

Unable to find a travel companion, I stuck to my plan of packing a light backpack and setting off alone. From Vietnam, I flew to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, then took a domestic flight to Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan Island. I traversed winding roads to reach El Nido Bay, and from there began my journey to explore this stunning island paradise.

Speechless before the wondrous green island.

In El Nido, I had wonderful days by the blue sea, white sand, and golden sunshine, admiring the breathtaking watercolor-like expanse of the sky and sea. Cruising on a catamaran – a signature feature of El Nido – gave me an incredibly memorable vacation in this pristine island paradise.

El Nido has developed a type of island and beach tourism. Each tour itinerary includes visiting islands and bays nestled among limestone cliffs offshore, swimming and snorkeling to admire coral reefs, and swimming with schools of fish.

Secret Langoon was the first stop on my island exploration journey. The catamaran was anchored a considerable distance from the entrance. Following the instructions of the local boat owner, the passengers disembarked, lined up in a row, held hands, and proceeded into the underwater cave. The water was waist-deep, reaching up to the neck in some sections, but it was very safe for visitors because the sea was calm. After passing through the deeper section, we reached a large black rock face, with only a single circular hole left in it, just large enough for one person to climb through.

A breathtaking scene unfolds within the bay; looking up, a closed circle of vertical rock formations rises towards the blue sky. Grayish-white rocks encircle the heart of the lagoon. A few branches of flowers and leaves sprout from the crevices of the rocks on the cliff face. Bright sunlight penetrates, illuminating the crystal-clear seawater and creating a magical blue reflection within the cave.

Standing amidst the majestic circle of surrounding cliffs, I felt as if I were lost in a mysterious place. True to its name, Secret Langoon aroused my curiosity, as well as that of many other tourists, who wanted to discover the secrets hidden within the lagoon.

Leaving Secret Lagoon, I arrived at Big Lagoon. The boat's engine was turned off as we entered the harbor entrance. This was the most beautiful spot, due to the majestic mountains on either side. Towering cliffs were dotted with patches of lush green foliage. Over time, the seawater eroded the mountains, creating a magnificent lagoon. At Big Lagoon, I had some truly wonderful moments sitting on the bow of the catamaran and admiring the enchanting scenery.

I arrived at Seven Commando Beach, nicknamed the "emerald" beach because of the color of the sea. The sunnier the day, the bluer the sea becomes. The sea's blue is clearly divided into two shades: deep blue and emerald green. Although the colors are distinct, the sea is very harmonious. It is this difference in color, along with the crystal-clear water, that makes Seven Commando Beach so captivating.

After enjoying the sea views, I went to Matinloc Shrine to admire the panoramic view of El Nido Bay. Following the stone steps uphill, a vast expanse of sea and sky gradually unfolded before my eyes. The sky was clear blue, with clouds drifting lazily over the majestic mountains stretching on either side. Below was the deep blue ocean, with a few catamaran boats speeding out to sea.

Watch the sunset in Las Cabanas.

Anyone who has ever watched a sunset over the sea will surely never forget its breathtaking beauty, especially in the late afternoon. To fully appreciate the sunset over the sea, I rented a tricycle and rode for 20 minutes from the town to the coast.

Along the roadside, I followed a small trail straight to the beach. At the end of the trail, the pristine and peaceful Las Cabanas beach unfolded before my eyes. A dreamy scene, a stunning natural landscape blessed with both sea and mountains. The crystal-clear, turquoise water stood out against the pristine white sand. Coconut trees swayed along the shore, casting their shadows. In the distance, the verdant mountain peaks rose and fell from the sea, a truly magnificent sight.

The space was incredibly open, and the air by the sea was fresh. The sky was a vast, clear blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds drifting by as if on a leisurely stroll. The feeling of being confronted by majestic nature, where humans are just tiny, indistinct dots in the boundless panorama of clouds, mountains, and sea, truly overwhelmed me. It was a feeling of fascination with the beauty that nature has bestowed upon Las Cabanas in particular and the El Nido coastal region in general.

Las Cabanas Beach is even more radiant at sunset. The last rays of sunlight linger, clinging to the beauty of the place, casting long shadows on the coconut trees and spilling onto the sea, making the water shimmer with a silvery, crystal-like glow. A few boats anchored in the distance add to the lively atmosphere of the sunset. At this time, the waves gently lap against the sand, as if unwilling to disturb this peaceful moment of twilight.

I stood there silently watching the sunset. I was intoxicated by the last rays of sunlight dissolving into the water, intoxicated by the memories and nostalgia of this place. I didn't know when the sun gradually set and disappeared behind the mountains. It was wonderful to witness such a captivating sunset in this paradise of turquoise sea. I didn't miss the opportunity to capture this magical moment of nature.

The people of El Nido are gentle and kind.

What remains in my memory is not only the sea and island excursions, the sunset over the turquoise sea, but also the gentle and kind local catamaran boatmen. Their skin was tanned dark from the sun, wind, and seawater. These young men were not only skilled at navigating the boats and guiding tourists on sea and island tours, but also provided maximum support during our time at sea.

I don't know how to swim, so the tour group had to get on a boat and swim into the seawater pools, which were over ten meters deep. But the tour guides pulled me in to admire the magnificent natural scenery: rocky cliffs and trees growing on the walls surrounded a crystal-clear, turquoise seawater pool.

Not only that, I also admire their cooking skills. At midday, when the guests go to the beach, the tour guides prepare lunch for them. They prepare and grill fish, squid, shrimp, steam crab, beautifully arrange vegetables, and make dipping sauces. The lunch was delicious and of high quality, unmatched anywhere else.

Life is a journey. The memories left behind after these trips are what leave the deepest impression on the memory of a lone traveler. Traveling thousands of miles just to experience a fleeting sunset, a magnificent seascape, or crystal-clear water – but when I want to explore and experience, I don't care about the difficulty of traveling thousands of miles, because beauty can only be felt with the heart and preserved in memory.

Hanh Phan