Boat trip: El Nido → Coron
Stay 4 days / 3 nights and explore the islands properly. Yes, it’s touristy—but you’ll also find yourself on staggeringly beautiful beaches with just a handful of people. Book in advance during high season, especially if you want one of the better operators. I went with a pretty average one… still had a great time, but it’s worth doing your research.

Expect days of island-hopping, snorkelling, karaoke under the stars, locally caught fish dinners, and bonding with like-minded travellers.

A few operators to look at:

Big Dream Boatman – Often recommended for a more curated, intimate experience.

G Adventures – A worldwide, well-renowned operator if you prefer something more structured.

Napcan Beach

Do a day trip here and just chill. Long stretch of golden sand, perfect for tanning, reading, switching off.

There’s a cute (and very tasty) little food shack called Combine Restaurant, don’t skip it.

Taraw Cliff
Climb it for the views, but go with someone (or even a guide). The way up is steep and a little sketchy in parts.

Duli Beach
A beautiful beach with great breaks, surf all day long (well… maybe not all day, but you know what I mean). You can rent boards and even grab an instructor right on the sand. When I was there, I got lucky and saw baby turtles making their way to the sea. Pretty special.

Om Nom Brunch Cafe
Exactly what it says on the tin, great brunch. Sit on the terrace and get your eggs in.

Blackbird Coffee
Go for a proper flat white and slow mornings.