The Ultimate Snorkeling Experience – Coron to El Nido Expedition

Now the real adventure was starting, and I booked something a little bit different to usual. I am not normally into group tours, but as I was looking into the “best snorkelling in the Philippines”, I found several companies operating this “expedition” they called it, which is a one way trip from Coron to El Nido (or vice versa), stopping at some of the various tiny and uninhabited islands along the way. It looked incredible. So I looked into it more, and eventually settled on a company which claimed to have a smaller boat (max 12 people, instead of the 30pax ones), and had great reviews and photos – Keelooma.

It was a chance to go to some more secluded places which I wouldn’t have been able to get to on my own.

I took a taxi to the meeting point and waited for my group to slowly assemble. The group was really nice, mostly couples on honeymoons or holidays, but I got on with all of them and never felt left out.

The first stop was Bolog Doz island for some snorkelling, where we saw our first turtle and some black coral.

Then we moved to Ditaytayan Beach and also snorkelled around the island here too, as well as chilled on the Sandbar a little. It was quite busy here, with day trips from Coron Town, but as we continued our journey we saw fewer and fewer people. And on the 2nd day, I don’t think we saw another boat all day…

We had lunch on the boat, which tbh, I couldn’t believe they had cooked on the actual boat, it was amazing, and better still, they always made sure I had something specially vegan, and it was always delicious.

After lunch, we headed over to Araw beach and reef. Which was absolutely incredible snorkelling, some of the best and most intact coral reef I have ever seen, and probably the best snorkelling I’d ever done (up to that point) because of the diversity of fish and coral. Plus the water was so so clear, the visibility was metres…

After an incredible day, we eventually reached our campsite for the night on an island with no running water or electricity. The only buildings on the island were our little huts. We had a bucket for a shower, and a small generator which they turned on to cook tea, which again, was amazing.

We played volleyball on the beach and just chilled watching the sunset and enjoying the wonderful scenery.

Waking up the next day was lovely, to the sound of the ocean, birds singing, and the sun starting to beat down through the trees. I had a bucket shower and they cooked us an amazing breakfast ready for the day ahead.

On day 2 we started off at Inapupuan Island coral garden, which was probably (and still is) THE BEST coral reef I’ve ever seen. It was continuous, and so diverse. It actually made me quite sad… This is what reefs everywhere are supposed to be like, and not sparse, bleached, broken or sandy. It’s such a shame.

After this, we went to a little cliff diving spot, I watched all the guys try it, but none of the women wanted to, so to even things out a bit, I gave it a go. It was quite scary actually, well, at least just before jumping, but it was fun. Even if I did let out a little scream haha!

We then stopped at Cagdanao Island, which had a lovely beach, and had a bit of a chill stop.

Eventually we arrived at our camp for the evening at Calibangbangan island, there wasn’t any reef here, but there were hundreds of ‘chocolate drop starfish’ literally everywhere!

The camp here was slightly more glamorous, as there were actual running showers and flushing toilets, plus we were in the middle of 2 beaches, separated by only about 80m or so. We had some fresh coconuts and another delicious meal, and then hung out drinking and chatting with the Keelooma guys all night.

Our final day came too quickly, and I wish the trip was twice as long… The first stop was Cala Cala island and reef, for, you guessed it, more snorkelling, I was not getting bored at all. At this reef we saw a lobster and I saw a baby shark.

Then we moved over to Cobra Island, which was just the most incredible turquoise I’ve ever seen -and FINALLY, the sun was out (although I think I preferred the overcast weather, as I badly burned all the backs of my legs this day snorkelling…) HAHA.

We stayed moored at Cobra for a while to enjoy our lunch, before visiting the last island, Tacling, every island here is stunning, and was just completely deserted, which added to the allure.

Eventually, we were dropped at the pier near El Nido Town, and the 3 most incredible days I’ve ever had were over. It was definitely not long enough, and if there is only one place I return to in the Philippines, it would be here. And for 2 whole weeks I think!!

I wish I could live here… I will definitely return!