El Nido Resorts Pangulasian Island

Why book?

For a private island castaway fantasy in Palawan’s pristine Bacuit Archipelago, with secluded seaside villas, a long stretch of sugar-soft sand, and boat tours of the turquoise lagoons.

Set the scene

When you imagine paradise—hammocks swinging between palm trees, turtles swimming in crystal-clear water—what you’re picturing is El Nido Pangulasian. It’s almost unreal how beautiful this private island resort is, anchored by Bacuit Bay’s towering limestone karst cliffs. Here, your days are spent beach-hopping, snorkeling, and cruising around in outrigger boats. Pangulasian is called the “island of the sun” because from its position, you can see both the sunrise and the sunset. This romantic atmosphere is a dream for honeymooners and couples; there’s even an elopement package for adventurous newlyweds. The vibe is breezy, barefoot chic: colorful kaftans, flowing dresses, and upscale resort wear.

The backstory

It all started in the late 1970s, when a bunch of Japanese divers were captivated by Bacuit Bay’s coral reefs. After a typhoon destroyed their liveaboard dive boat, they built a no-frills dive camp on Miniloc Island in 1982—the first property in El Nido Resorts’ portfolio. The founders established the Ten Knots Group and opened their second, more upscale endeavor on Pangulasian Island in 1993. An exclusive, smaller sister resort on Lagen Island soon followed in 1998. The Asian Conservation Company, led by Energy Secretary Vincent S. Pérez, Jr., acquired Ten Knots Group in 2001, transforming El Nido Resorts into a full-fledged eco-tourism destination. Fast forward to 2013, when AyalaLand Hospitality, a prominent Philippine property developer, invested billions to rebuild, renovate, and scale El Nido Resorts into the luxe haven it is today. Thanks to these efforts, Pangulasian Island became the six-star flagship resort.

The rooms

Canopy villas are nested above the treetops on stilts, where resident long-tailed macaques greet you in the morning. (Make sure to lock your doors, so the mischievous monkeys don’t sneak inside.) Both the beach villas and pool villas are absolutely massive—spread across 925 square feet—with bathrooms so big, a whole day bed fits by the sinks. The beach villas are tucked between palm trees, with their own hammocks, sun lounges, and veranda overlooking the shore. Honeymooners favor the pool villas for their extra privacy and plunge pools. Groups or multi-generational families should book the Kalaw villas. Set in their own secluded cove, these four villas share a 915-square-foot lap pool and communal living area. All 42 guest rooms come with thoughtful touches like buri tote bags and sun hats, rain jackets, aloe cream, reusable water bottles, phone chargers and adaptors, Bluetooth speakers, and pillow mist menus.

Food and drink

The open-air Amianan Restaurant is the one and only dining room. But it has the best views from the tables on the second-floor terrace, overlooking the sparkling, cerulean water and dramatic karst islets. Don’t miss the fresh seafood: local tanigue ceviche with coconut cream and pan-seared mackerel with a passionfruit sauce. For a light bite or refreshing tipple, mozy up to the bar below Amianan. The lychee gin cocktail is sinfully good. Or, order a casual lunch to your lounge chair from the pool bar. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, it’s worth arranging a private island picnic or romantic candlelit dinner on the beach.

The neighborhood/area

Pangulasian is the place to get away from it all. But reaching Eden takes effort. Only one airline, Cebu Pacific (and its subsidiaries AirSWIFT and Cebgo), flies to El Nido Airport, and seats sell out months in advance. Luckily, once you land, the rest of the journey is smooth. El Nido Resorts has an exclusive airport lounge and a chauffeur who will escort you to the nearby Lio jetty, where a private speedboat whisks you off to the island, 40 minutes away. Though more carriers fly to Puerto Princesa International Airport, it’s a five-hour drive on windy mountain roads to get to El Nido town. Despite its remote location, Pangulasian makes a convenient base to explore the Bacuit Archipelago’s 45 islets, lagoons, and dive sites.

The service

The staff ensures a seamless stay from the moment you arrive. You’re always in safe hands, between the boat captains, the knowledgeable guides, the courteous concierge, and the warm waitstaff. They’ve thought of everything, from personalized lunch boxes on excursions to early-morning itineraries that beat the crowds coming from mainland Palawan.

Eco effort

Sustainability is the bedrock of El Nido’s philosophy. In 1984, the area became a designated turtle sanctuary, and a few years later, the Philippine government declared Bacuit Bay a protected marine reserve. The Pangulasian Island resort sits on 800 acres of land, 70 percent of which is untouched forest, and has its own desalination plant and coral reef conservation programs. Guest directories in each villa include important island advisories, snorkeling etiquette guides, and the do’s and don’ts of respecting the native wildlife.

Accessibility

The resort is not easily accessible for wheelchair users due to the boat transportation, sand pathways, and staircases at the villas and main buildings.

Anything left to mention?

Complimentary weekly activities are the best perks of Pangulasian. There are island-hopping adventures, snorkeling trips, cave expeditions, and lagoon tours. At golden hour, join a nature hike up to a 360-degree panoramic platform overlooking Bacuit Bay. Or wait until after dark, when they set up a stargazing telescope and movies on the beach. It’s worth the splurge to rent a glass-bottom kayak lined with colorful lights that illuminate the coral reef at night. If there’s one thing you absolutely must try, it’s the signature tuka experience. Spend an afternoon on a floating thatch-roof bamboo pontoon, where you can hang in a hammock, tan on the sunbeds, have the bartender make you a refreshing drink, or jump in the water and go snorkeling with a private guide. It’s the ultimate way to while away a day.