Nacpan Beach

A 4 km golden beach 45 minutes' drive north of El Nido town. Together with neighboring Calitang Beach it forms the 'Twin Beaches' scene. It is uncrowded, with palm trees and sunsets, and has been named one of the world's most beautiful beaches by several media outlets.

Nacpan Beach lies about 17 km northeast of El Nido town. It is a gently curving golden beach about 4 km long, with fine, soft sand. The sea deepens gradually from the shallows, and the waves are relatively gentle. Behind the beach are rows of coconut palms, a few beach bars and guesthouses, and almost no sign of development. At the southern end of the beach, a small ridge separates it from Calitang Beach on the other side. A viewpoint five minutes' climb up the ridge lets you see both bays at once. This is the famous 'Twin Beaches' view. In recent years several travel media outlets have listed the beach among the world's most beautiful, and visitors now range from backpackers to holidaymakers, but it is still far quieter than the town. Things to do: rent a beach chair (₱200–300) for swimming and sunbathing, watch the sun set into the sea from a beach bar (the beach faces west, so the sunset is unobstructed), or rent a motorbike and ride along the coastal road. The beach entrance charges an environmental fee of about ₱50–100. Getting there: a round-trip tricycle from El Nido town costs about ₱1,000–1,500, including 2–3 hours of waiting time. A shared van costs about ₱300–400 per person, or you can rent a motorbike for about ₱500 per day. The last few kilometers are dirt road and get muddy in the rainy season. Tip: on a rest day between island tours, set aside a half day. Leave around 3 p.m., watch the sunset, then return to town for dinner. Notes: there are no lifeguards, rip currents occasionally occur, so do not swim far out. There is little shade on the beach, so bring sunscreen. The road back is dark at night, so check that your motorbike's lights work. Shops and restaurants are limited, so bring water and cash.

Nacpan Beach

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Places to eat nearby