Jun 2 - Despite many dark clouds when I venture out at 7:00, the hotel manager says the tours are on for today. We suit up with full snorkeling wetsuits, expecting wet and cold, and head to the beach at 9:00. There is an intimidating flotilla of tour boats crowding the shore, rather shocking considering what the weather is like. Where did all these people come from? I guess it is the pent-up demand from several days of tour cancellations. We mill around at our designated pick-up point, next to a woman seated under a beach umbrella, frantically scribbling in a notebook with one hand, on her cell phone with the other.
Finally get on a boat at about 9:40. A few other foreigners are here, but everyone else is Filipino. I learn later that the foreign tourist season is ending, and most visitors now are Mga Pilipino. Within five minutes of pulling out into the bay, we are hit by a driving rainstorm. I stuff my pack into a plastic bag I had brought with me and we sit it out. The waves are big but the boat, an outrigger type like they all are here, has no trouble handling the occasional side wave.
Head south along the main coast. Can hardly see what is ahead for the rain.
The original plan to cross over to the smaller islands is changed, and instead of a beach there, we go to one on the main coast called Papaya Beach. The guide, without a hint of irony, explains that it is known as Papaya Beach ‘because of all the coconut trees’.
anchor offshore and wade in. No good snorkeling here, it is just a beach excursion. Even though it is windy and rainy, it is nice to splash around here, actually quite pleasant. Probably more relaxing than it would be in full sun.
By now, the storm has passed and there is just a light sprinkle of rain with minimal wind. Much better for making the crossing over to Miniloc Island, where the rest of today’s tour will take place.
The first stop is at Duklacatie South, an area for snorkeling. There is decent coral and fish, and clear considering all the storms passing through these days. Have to do a bit of maneuvering around other outriggers. As many as there are here, it was even more crowded at the nearby Hidden Lagoon site, which is why our boat decided to give it a pass.
Onward to Payong-Payong Beach for lunch. They float a table ashore and load it with food. There is more than everyone can eat. The site is beautiful, on a narrow strip of white sand between cliffs of limestone.
From here, our original intent was to kayak into Large Lagoon. But, upon getting close, we see that it is solid kayaks and no one is interested. We carry on instead to Small Lagoon. Despite the disappointing-sounding name, this turns out to be an awesome place with very few other people paddling around. We rent one kayak for the three of us at 350 pesos/hour.
The kayaking takes us through a narrow gap in the bay to a wide lagoon. This lagoon branches into parts, one of which could be accessed by pulling the kayak over some rocks but we just look in from the outside. The cliffs are tall and the coral and fish can easily be seen due to the stillness of the water surface.
From here we get back to El Nido town. Our hotel has only cold water, so tough showers today considering we are a bit cold going in. Walk the lively streets of El Nido at night and eat some local food. Back in the room, plan out the next month of the trip and book some flights.
Philippines