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Nacpan Beach travel guide – a must see from El Nido

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Nacpan beach, found along Palawan’s stunning coastline, is an amazing place. Known to be one of the Phillippines best beaches (yet not crowded at all) it offers a long sweeping stretch of soft white sand and crystal blue water. Located a bit further out from the popular El Nido, it is a great spot for a daytrip, or why not spend a couple nights there? In this post we will run through how to get to Nacpan beach from El Nido, and provide you with everything you need to know before you go!
Home » The Philippines » Nacpan Beach travel guide – a must see from El Nido
Nacpan beach, found along Palawan’s stunning coastline, is an amazing place. Known to be one of the Phillippines best beaches (yet not crowded at all) it offers a long sweeping stretch of soft white sand and crystal blue water. Located a bit further out from the popular El Nido, it is a great spot for a daytrip, or why not spend a couple nights there? In this post we will run through how to get to Nacpan beach from El Nido, and provide you with everything you need to know before you go!

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Why visit Nacpan beach

Nacpan is without a doubt our favourite beach near El Nido. It is a stunning long white sand beach (approximately 3km in length) and relatively easy to get to from El Nido.

Nacpan beach during the day

Even though it is quite popular, because of its size the beach never feels crowded. The further you walk along, the more peaceful and quiet it becomes.

We visited Nacpan Beach a number of times, during mornings and afternoons, and it was never busy.

Morning view at Nacpan beach, El Nido

What is Nacpan beach known for

Nacpan beach is one of the two beaches that form El Nido’s “Twin Beach”. These two (Calitang and Nacpan beach) are connected at one point to create quite a unique formation. 

Nacpan Beach in El Nido Palawan

How to get to Nacpan beach

Nacpan beach is relatively easy to access from El Nido. There are multiple ways to get to Nacpan beach. You can either rent a scooter and drive there yourself, organise a tricycle (tuktuk), or get a private shuttle to bring you there.

Getting to Nacpan beach by scooter from El Nido while driving underneath palm trees
Car with Filipino kids on the roof driving from Nacpan beach

Getting to Nacpan by scooter

Nacpan beach is located around 45 minutes from El Nido town by scooter. Renting a scooter will cost 400 to 600 pesos a day.  The road is quite okay, aside from the last 10 minutes which gets quite rocky and rough. You can park the scooter for only 20 pesos near the entrance of the beach. 

If you are not a confident driver, then getting a van/tricycle here would also be possible. However, this takes a bit longer and will be more expensive.

Scooter drive to Nacpan beach over rough road

How much is a ride to Nacpan beach?

Getting to Nacpan beach from El Nido town by tricycle will cost you somewhere between 1000-1500 pesos, depending on how good your bargaining skills are. It is handy to go with some others to share these costs.

Alternatively, you can book a private shuttle for about 600 pesos per person. This is a more comfortable and convenient option if you’re bringing your bags to stay at Nacpan beach.

Best time to visit Nacpan beach

The best time to visit Nacpan beach is, like the rest of the Philippines, during dry season. This runs from about December to April. However, December and January are peak travel months in the Philippines with a big crowd and higher prices for accommodation. To avoid this, aim to go in November or April/May.

Island view from Nacpan beach in El Nido

Things to do at Nacpan beach

The main (and best) thing to do at Nacpan beach is to relax and take in the stunning views. Near the entrance you’ll find a few small bars/restaurants and stalls selling drinks. Get yourself a cheap fresh coconut and enjoy.

There is also a volleyball net, so bring a ball to play some beach volleyball!

Nacpan beach, El Nido Palawan

The water at Nacpan beach is, in our opinion, the nicest you’ll find near El Nido. It is extremely clear and calm. 

Sunrise views at Nacpan beach near El Nido

Where to stay at Nacpan

If you decide to stay at Nacpan, there are a few fancy resorts. Or for social budget travellers, the hostel chain Mad Monkey is a great option. We recommend to check booking.com and/or hostelworld for the best deals and availability!

Wanting to book?

Follow the links below for all your accommodation, transport, & activity needs! 

How long to stay

We recommend staying at Nacpan beach for 2 nights. This is the perfect amount of time to relax on the beach and explore. When in the area, we highly recommend doing a daytrip to Duli beach as well. This is another amazing beach that is also good for beginner surfers!

People surfing at Duli Beach, Palawan

Other beaches to check out

Want to do some more beach hopping near El Nido? We wrote a post on the best beaches to visit from El Nido Town! Check it out here: The best beaches in El Nido – Discover Palawan’s stunning coast!

Lio beach during sunset with view of palmtree and jetty

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Stamping Passports blog
Hi, we are Lisa & Aaron from Stamping Passports!

Our goal? Find the most beautiful places, try the most delicious food, and fill up our passports, one stamp at a time. 

We created this blog because of our love for travelling, and we want to inspire more people to get out there and explore. We’re here to share practical tips, stunning photos, and personal experiences to help you with your travel planning.

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