3D2N Island Fun at El Nido, Palawan (June 2017)

One of the trips that was more impromptu compared to others, our 3D2N stay in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines was indeed short but sweet. It helped that the resort offered an all-inclusive package (full board plus activities) and we engaged the services of a local travel agent which booked the flights for us as well.

Here was what we have accomplished in the short three days in the island resort:

Day 1 (June 11): Arrival in the island

• 2:20am - Scheduled departure from Singapore to Manila via Jestar
• 6:30am - Met up with in-laws (travel buddies to El Nido) for breakfast at Jollibee near the Philippine Domestic Airport
• 7:30am - Arrived at the Philippine Domestic Airport for our domestic flight to El Nido, Palawan
• 9:55am - Domestic flight departure from Domestic Airport Terminal 4 to El Nido Airport via AirSWIFT 
• 11:10am - Arrived at El Nido Airport
• 11:30am - Short land transfer from El Nido Airport to El Nido Resorts guest reception area then to the El Nido Resorts Ferry Terminal, and finally, a 45-minute boat ride to El Nido Resort Miniloc Island

welcome drinks and handcrafted necklace

• 12:30pm - Lunch at the resort restaurant
• 1:30pm - Check in to rooms
• 2:30pm - Activity #1: Entalula Beach Club for snorkeling

Entalula Beach Club

• 5:30pm - Activity #2: Sunset Cruise

sunset cruise without the sunset. Blame bad weather in the past few days.

• 7:00pm - Buffet dinner at the resort
• 8:30pm - Activity #3: Photo taking and relaxation for the adults. Game night for the kids.
• 9:30pm - Lights off

beautiful bright full moon

Day 2 (June 12): Island Hopping Day

• 5:30am - Activity #4: Sunrise Cruise

good morning, sun...

• 7:00am - Buffet breakfast at the hotel
• 8:00am - Activity #5: Small and Big Lagoon Tour (2 hours) - kayaking, snorkeling 

• 10:30am - Activity #6: Lagen Resort Visit (4 hours) - lunch, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming pool use, photo-taking

• 1:30pm - Departure from Lagen Resort. Activity #7: Caves and Snake Island Tour (2.5 hours) - swimming, short hiking, cave exploration, sightseeing 
• 4:30pm - Activity #8: Kayaking, standup paddle and snorkeling around Miniloc Island

• 7:30pm - Buffet dinner at the resort. Activity #9: Independence Day celebration with performances from resort staff, with some guest participation.
• 9:00pm - Slumber time.

Day 3 (June 13): Last day on the island

• 5:30am - Activity #10: Sunrise kayaking to the Big Lagoon
• 7:00am - Buffet breakfast at the resort
• 8:30am - Activity #11: Shimizu Island snorkeling trip
• 10:30am - Activity #12: Jacks fish feeding at the resort. Snorkeling the rest of the morning.
• 12:00nn - Buffet lunch at the resort
• After lunch - Boat ride back to El Nido town for our late afternoon flight back to Manila.

As you can see, we've made the most of our short stay with 12 activities in total, averaging about 4 activities a day! 

Here is a complete list of activities provided by the Miniloc Island Resort staff to give you an idea of what else can be done during your stay there:

1. Sunrise cruise or Sunrise kayaking trip (1hr) - 5:30am call time
2. Small and Big Lagoon Tour for kayaking and snorkeling (2hrs) - 8:00am call time
3. Shimizu Island snorkeling trip (1hr) - 8:30am call time
4. Jacks fish feeding just at the pier (5mins) - 8:45am and 10:30am daily
5. Lagen Resort lunch, kayaking and snorkeling trip - 10:30am departure, back to Miniloc Island by 3:00pm
6. Dibuluan Beach Club lunch, kayaking and snorkeling trip - 10:30am departure, back to Miniloc Island 3:00pm
7. Entalula Beach Club lunch, kayaking and snorkeling trip - 11:00am departure, until 2:30pm or 4:00pm departure from Entalula Beach Club
8. Caves and Snake Island Tour (swimming, short hiking, sightseeing) - 1:30pm departure from the resort, 4:00pm boat ride back to the resort
9. Sunset cruise (1hr) - 5:30pm

Have fun planning for your trip to El Nido Resorts!