Palawan (El Nido & Coron)

Routinely voted the most beautiful island in the world by various magazines that vote on these things, Palawan is the long thin western island of the Philippines, with limestone karst seascapes that rival Halong Bay. El Nido in the north is the base for the Bacuit Bay island-hopping circuit (Tours A through D, lettered for simplicity); Coron, further north, is famous for Japanese WWII shipwreck dives in the bay between the islands. The hidden lagoons, the secret beaches reached only at low tide, the bioluminescent plankton: all real, all worth the boat ride.

El Nido Big Lagoon in Palawan, kayakers paddling clear emerald water enclosed by sheer jungle-covered limestone cliffs, brilliant tropical light reflecting on the surface — Big Lagoon, El Nido.

Small Lagoon entrance in El Nido Palawan, a narrow opening between black limestone cliffs leading into a hidden cove with a traditional bangka anchored at the mouth in dappled morning light — Small Lagoon entrance, El Nido.

Nacpan Beach at golden hour in El Nido Palawan, a four-kilometer crescent of golden sand fringed by coconut palms with gentle waves rolling in from the West Philippine Sea in warm sunset light — Nacpan Beach at golden hour.

Kayangan Lake in Coron Palawan, a transparent emerald lake encircled by sharp limestone karst cliffs with a wooden viewing platform on the rocky shore in soft midday light — Kayangan Lake, Coron.

Twin Lagoon in Coron Palawan, a traditional outrigger bangka floating on jade water between two towering karst walls with snorkelers in the clear shallows — Twin Lagoon, Coron.

Puerto Princesa Underground River entrance in Palawan, a vast limestone cave mouth opening to a calm lagoon with jungle-covered cliffs above and a paddler in a small wooden boat for scale — Puerto Princesa Underground River entrance.

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