Shimizu Island is home to some of the best beaches in El Nido and is not to be missed on your next trip to Palawan in the Philippines!
Shimizu Island El Nido stands dominantly among the archipelago of islands in the north of Palawan, boasting secluded coves, epic limestone cliffs, and a colorful reef with an abundance of marine life!
I have put together this complete guide including how to get there and what to expect when you arrive.
HOW TO GET TO SHIMIZU ISLAND?
Shimizu Island can only be accessed by boat on one of the El Nido Island Hopping Tours.
More specifically, El Nido Tour A is the only boat tour that operates trips to Shimizu Island Palawan.
I personally booked Tour A El Nido online in advance with Klook and it couldn’t have been easier!
El Nido Tour A is the most top-rated El Nido Island Hopping Tour with great reviews and thousands of bookings.
Tour A El Nido includes a full day of island hopping on an outrigger boat to Seven Commandos Beach, Big Lagoon/Small Lagoon, Secret Lagoon El Nido, Shimizu, and a BBQ lunch on the boat.
Book Now → El Nido Tour A
El Nido Tour A
WHAT TO EXPECT ON SHIMIZU ISLAND
Shimizu Island is right around the corner from Secret Lagoon which is typically the fourth and final stop on El Nido Tour A.
Natural beauty is one way to describe the incredible landscapes and tropical vibes that you will experience on this island!
When our boat arrived on the outer edge of the reef we noticed we were one of just three other boats. Ultimately, it was far less crowded than some of the other spots we had visited on the El Nido Island hopping tour.
We grabbed our snorkel gear and filled a dry bag with phones, towels, and camera gear to swim to the beach. We jumped off the side of the boat and headed straight to the sandy shores.
RELATED ARTICLE → 3 WEEK PHILIPPINES ITINERARY
Exploring the island
An aerial perspective
Drone shot of the island
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EXPLORING SHIMIZU ISLAND EL NIDO
There’s quite a bit of exploring to be had on the island to its number of secluded stretches of sand, small caves, and snorkeling around the colorful coral reefs.
The turquoise waters surrounding the island are more vibrant than the other islands we visited that day and it seriously looked good enough to drink!
The sun was already starting to set which cast some pretty cool shadows of the cliffs on the top of the ocean.
Salty, sun-kissed and exhausted is what we were all feeling by the time we left the island and we made the 1-hour journey back to El Nido Bay.
Full Blog Post → El Nido Island Hopping
Snorkeling the reefs
Turquoise waters
Exploring the underwater world
WHERE TO STAY IN EL NIDO
El Nido has hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Lagùn Hotel
Lagùn Hotel is one of the best and most modern hotels in El Nido featuring an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, restaurant, bar, and free wifi throughout the property. The rooms are fitted with a flat-screen tv, wardrobe, work desk, fridge, kettle, private bathroom and some with a balcony. A buffet breakfast is also included for all guests. Recommended for couples, families, and friends.
Mid Range: Sea Cocoon Hotel
I personally stayed at Sea Cocoon Hotel and can’t recommend this place enough! Located right in the heart of El Nido and just minutes walk to the beach. Sea Cocoon Hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, terrace, restaurant, bar, and a shared lounge. The rooms are spacious and modern with air-conditioning, large comfy beds, wardrobe, balcony, and private bathroom. A buffet breakfast is also included for all guests. Affordable place to stay for couples, families, and friends!
Budget: One Hostel El Nido
One Hostel is one of the best budget accommodations in El Nido with great reviews! Centrally located and within walking distance to the bus terminal, shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, and beaches. There are dorm rooms, double rooms, and quadruple rooms available with air-conditioning. The Hostel also has free wifi and a shared lounge area for guests to hang out. Perfect place to stay in El Nido for solo travelers, couples, and friends!
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN EL NIDO, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
BEST EL NIDO TOURS
Looking for the best El Nido Tours?!
Visit the Viator website to see all of the most top-rated tours in El Nido. Be sure to book online in advance to be guaranteed the best rates!
SEARCH ALL → EL NIDO TOURS
WHAT TO PACK FOR THE PHILIPPINES
When visiting the Philippines, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you;
- Sunscreen – the Philippines sun is very strong, so make sure to pack some high-quality sunscreen.
- Quick-dry travel towel – the most compact and lightweight towel for traveling.
- Reusable water bottle – stay hydrated by bringing along a reusable water bottle.
- Backpack – The Nomatic 30L Travel Pack is the ultimate backpack for everyday adventures.
If you’re interested in taking awesome photos and videos on your travels, this is the camera gear that I use and recommend;
- GoPro HERO10 – the most popular camera on the planet for action-packed adventures.
- Canon EOS R – perfect for traveling, this is the most affordable, compact camera on the market.
- DJI Mini 3 Pro – take your photos and videos to new heights with this user-friendly drone camera.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
- BOOKING.COM – search and book accommodation worldwide
- SKYSCANNER – compare and book cheap flights to anywhere
- VIATOR – find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world
- BOOKAWAY – book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance
- RENTAL CARS – search all rental cars in your next destination
- GROUP TRIPS – join one of my epic small group trips
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – purchase World Nomads travel insurance
- TRAVEL MONEY CARD – get a Wise card today for free
Looking for more? Check out my Travel Resources page for further help with your trip planning!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
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THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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