Paradise Defined at Nacpan Beach, Philippines

Less than an hour’s drive from the tourist hub of El Nido lies the stunning stretch of sand of Nacpan Beach, Philippines. Reachable via a guided tour or independent transport, this gorgeous beach was once voted one of the world’s ten best on TripAdvisor. 

Read on to see why travelers consider this beach synonymous with paradise and how you can visit it yourself.

Where is Nacpan Beach located?

For those who’ve never been to the Philippines, their first question might be: where is Nacpan Beach? The answer is happily only a 45-minute drive north of El Nido town on the northern end of the lush island of Palawan. Facing westward over the South China Sea, it’s a great place to watch the sunset over the ocean.

About Nacpan Beach, Philippines

With 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of creamy sand backed by green hills and coconut palms, the beach evokes impressions of paradise. Turquoise water fills a sweeping crescent that extends out to a sandy spit that shares a hill with the adjacent beach of Calitang.

Nacpan Beach’s history was relatively uneventful until recent years when it was “discovered” by the online travel community—and social media—resulting in skyrocketing popularity. Still, given its size and broad expanse of sand, you can always find a solitary stretch to lay your towel.

The beach is backed by a grove of palm trees, providing a postcard-perfect backdrop and an abundance of natural shade. With the exception of a few small resorts and a tiny fishing village, the majority of the beach is undeveloped, which only contributes to its comparisons to paradise.

A unique feature of Nacpan Beach is that its sandy bottom extends rather far out into the water – not the norm for Philippine beaches. So, instead of rocks, coral, and seaweed, you can comfortably wade offshore for many meters with your toes in soft, powdery sand.

And if you’re looking to recreate the iconic Instagram-worthy scene of the leaning palm tree framed by hills and turquoise water, head to the right, and you’ll find it on the northern end.

Pro tip: While swimming here is both possible and common, the waves can be rough at times, so you might not want to venture too far out if you’re not comfortable in the water.

Is there a Nacpan Beach entrance fee?

There is no fee to enter the beach. However, if you haven’t already paid the local El Nido environmental tax of approximately $4, you might be asked to do so. If in your travels (such as an island hopping trip) you’ve already paid, be prepared to show your receipt or a picture of it on your phone.

And while you’re free to lay out anywhere along the beach, you do have the option of using the lounge chairs and restroom facilities run by restaurants and hotels. However, these may incur a small charge and/or mandatory food or drink orders. If you plan on having a bite anyway (and you absolutely should!), this is a very practical and reasonable option.

Nacpan Beach activities

Chill at the beach

Whether you want to lay out in the sun, relax in the shade, or go for a decent stroll, you can fill an entire afternoon basking on the beach. The sand is soft and vanilla ice cream colored, which contrasts beautifully with the brilliant aquamarine of the water. 

No one would blame you if you never want to leave.

Go surfing

With moderate waves a common occurrence, Nacpan Beach is popular with beginner surfers looking to hone their skills while soaking in paradise. 

Go kayaking

Renting a kayak will allow you to view this slice of paradise from the water and explore on your own.

Watch the sunset

If you arrive before 5 p.m., you can find your perfect spot to watch the sun disappear in a colorful display. And if you want to do so with a drink in your hand, there are sufficient cafes to fulfill that need.

Things to do near Nacpan, Philippines

Not only is this stretch of sand a worthy destination, but the Nacpan Beach location is close enough to the tourist hub of El Nido to ensure a wealth of popular attractions are within easy reach of a day trip. 

Here are some of the most popular things to do in the area.

Visit Calitang Beach

Just on the other side of the sandy spit at the southern end of Nacpan Beach, Calitang Beach is worth a little exploration. Home to a working fishing village with a colorful fleet of boats, you’ll get a more authentic glimpse into island living to go along with your snapshots.

Go island hopping

If you’re in El Nido, chances are you came to explore the spectacular limestone islands that jut precipitously out of the surrounding water. 

From El Nido town, you can arrange for an island hopping tour that will take you to these majestic islands with sculpted rock formations and secret beaches fronted by turquoise lagoons. 

It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!

Take a canopy walk up Taraw Cliff

If you don’t fear heights, you can catch some fantastic views on a canopy walk up Taraw Cliff overlooking the town of El Nido. Suitable for beginners, this involves traversing built-in walkways along the cliffs while donning protective gear provided by local tour operators.

Trek to Nagkalit-kalit Waterfalls

About halfway between El Nido and Nacpan Beach and best visited with a guided tour, the Nagkalit-kalit waterfalls are an alluring oasis in the middle of dense jungle. 

You’ll have to hike 20-45 minutes to dip in the pools, but it’s well worth it.

Nacpan Beach accommodation

A selling point of Nacpan Beach is its relative lack of development. However, there are various accommodation options, either on the beach or nearby, that cater to different preferences and budgets.

You can choose between small boutique hotels, authentic hostels and even a glamping (luxury camping) location. And further south in El Nido town, you’ll find an even more extensive selection of lodging options if you’re content to limit your visit to Nacpan to a day trip.

Weather in Nacpan Beach, Philippines

The best time to visit Nacpan Beach, and Palawan in general, is between December and May. It’s the dry season and also peak season, so book ahead.

The rainy season is from June to November, but June to September is the rainiest.

Packing list essentials for Nacpan Beach

• High-SPF sunscreen for the times you venture out of the shade
• A wide-brimmed hat to bring your shade along with you
• A bathing suit – obviously
• Flip flops or sandals 
• Closed-toed shoes for hiking and exploring other destinations in the area
• Bug spray for mosquitoes and sandflies
• Underwater camera and dry bag for your valuables
• Your own snorkel and mask if you intend to go exploring underwater
• Lightweight backpack for bringing your beach essentials
• A drone, if possible, for amazing photos and video 

Map of Nacpan Beach, Philippines 

To give you a visual overview of the area, here’s a map that will help you plan your trip.

How to get to Nacpan Beach

The first step to visit Nacpan Beach is to get to the island of Palawan. By air, the most practical airport is El Nido (ENI), which can be reached from several islands in the Philippines along with the capital Manila.

International flights land directly on Palawan island at Puerto Princesa (PPS) – from there to El Nido is about a 5-hour drive unless you opt to fly.

To get to Nacpan Beach from El Nido, you have several options: 

1. For the highest level of comfort between El Nido and Nacpan Beach, a shuttle is your best option. And very affordable. 
   
2. You can also rent a scooter, which offers greater freedom but requires a higher level of skill and risk. The road to Nacpan is not in the greatest condition, so be prepared for a bumpy ride.
   
3. A unique way to get there is by tricycle (with a driver), which costs more than a scooter and will take longer, albeit from a very different perspective.
   
4. A common way for travelers to visit Nacpan Beach is by guided tour. Often, this will include a stop at the twin beach of Calitang. While limiting your time on the beach, it is a convenient way to visit if you want to leave the hassle of navigation to someone else.

A few final words about Nacpan Beach, Philippines

El Nido is a popular tropical destination—and for good reason. If you want the best of the area’s attractions while still maintaining a sense of seclusion, a visit to Nacpan Beach isn’t just a day trip – it’s a trip to paradise.

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