Secret Beach
The towering karst cliffs in El Nido protect a secret, come closer, enter, and explore the piece of paradise known as Secret Beach.
It is said that El Nido’s Secret Beach inspired author Alex Garland’s novel The Beach, that was turned into a popular movie bearing the same title and starred Leonardo DiCaprio. The Secret Beach is aptly named as it is concealed by cliffs and is only accessible through a narrow crevice. And just like in the movie, guests have to swim through this crevice to reach the beach. Swimming through the hole in the cliffs is just part of the adventure, as the place is also a perfect snorkeling place. Guests can see all sorts of colourful fishes, corals, and other marine life forms through the crystalline water and spaces between the rocks on their way to the beach.
After this adventure, guests will be wowed by the Secret Beach’s beauty.Just like all of El Nido’s beaches, the place features a strip of fine white sand dotted with giant rocks that lends a bit of mystery to the place. Teeming with birds and rich marine wildlife, it is also the perfect place to go camping, snorkeling, sunbathing, stargazing, and even photo shoots.
Location
The Secret Beach is located in Matinloc Island, El Nido, Palawan.
Opening Days and Hours
Tour operations start from 09:00 to 16:00 every day.
Entry Fee and Bookings
The Secret Beach is included in the El Nido Island Hopping Tour C, which is inclusive of boat, lunch, life vest, snorkeling gear, and tour guide fee. Breakdown of additional costs are as follows:
- El Nido Island Hopping Tour C: PhP 1,400 (USD 27.0)1 per person
- Eco-Tourism Development Fee: PhP 200 (USD 3.86) — good for 10 days
- Kayak Rental Fee: PhP 700 (USD 13.50) – good for the whole day (within tour operating hours)
- Snorkel gear: PhP 150 (USD 2.89) per person
Total cost is around PhP 2,250 (USD 43.40).
How to Get There
- From the country’s capital of Manila, you can get to reach the Puerto Princesa International Airport via a 1-hour flight with your preferred airline company.
- From Palawan’s capital of Puerto Princesa, you can reach El Nido via: van (PhP 550 to 600 or USD 10.61 to 11.57 per person, 5 hours travel time), bus (PhP 385 to 480 or USD 7.43 to 9.26 per person, 6 to 7 hours travel time), or Roro bus (PhP 290 to 380 or USD 5.59 to 7.33 per person, 6 to 7 hours travel time).
- The vans are located at the airport or you can ride a tricycle or multi-cab going to Robinson’s mall where the terminal is located. For the buses and Roro buses, you can take a tricycle at the airport going to Junction 1 (PhP 8 or USD 0.15 per person) and ride a multicab going to San Jose Terminal. You can also opt to hire a tricycle going there for PhP 80 to 100 (USD 1.54 to 1.93).
- Once you reach the El Nido bus terminal, you can take a tricycle going to the town centre or straight to your hotel.
- From either the town centre or along Bacuit Bay, you can then book El Nido’s Island Hopping Tour C.
Suggested For
- Backpackers/solo travelers
- Couples
- Group of friends
- Families
Time to Spend
You can opt to stay 1 to 2 hours swimming and exploring the beach.
Popularity and Best Time to Go
The best time to visit and enjoy El Nido is during the months of November to May, when the sea is relatively calm and underwater visibility is good.
Activities
- Swimming
- Snorkelling
- Kayaking
Food
Food is included in the tour package.
Nearby Attractions
- Small Lagoon
- Big Lagoon
- Matinloc Island
- Simizu Island
- Entalula Island
- Marimegmeg Beach
Stay
Accommodations near the Matinloc Island include a number of resorts and inns such as El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island, Matinloc Resort, and El Nido Resorts Pangulasian Island. Prices range from USD 350 to USD 700 per night.
