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Everything You Need to Know – Nacpan Beach, El Nido

Everything You Need to Know – Nacpan Beach, El Nido

With miles of sandy coastline and picture-perfect tropical palm trees, Nacpan Beach is the ultimate destination for beach lovers. Although it’s one of the best things to do in El Nido, you’ll never feel like Nacpan Beach is overly crowded.

You can come here to relax in the sand or take on a few outdoor and beachside activities. We’ve put together everything you need to know when planning a trip to Nacpan Beach.


Aerial view of Nacpan and near by beaches located on the north end of El Nido

How to Get to Nacpan Beach

From El Nido, you have several options for reaching Nacpan. We have listed them all out, but we prefer the self-drive motorbike option because it gives you a lot of freedom, and there are some fun stops along the way.

Option 1 – The easiest option is to take the Nacpan Beach Shuttle Service. This door-to-door pickup service will take you directly from your hotel in El Nido to Nacpan Beach.

  • Price: 350 PHP oneway / 600 Round Trip

Option 2: You can also hire a motorbike to get to Nacpan on your own. You can reach the beach in just under an hour from El Nido. Plus you can stop at the waterfalls on the way too.

  • Motor Bike Rental Price: 350-500 per day

Option 3: Another option is to hire a tricycle, which is a three-wheeled bike that’s driven by a local. A round-trip ride is the most expensive option on this list, but it’s pretty cool to feel as if you have a private driver to navigate for you!

  • Price: 800-1200 Round trip depending on your renegotiating skills and how long you planned on staying. We paid 1000 for a sunset trip where the driver waited for us on the beach for about 3-4 hours.

Option 4: Your final option is to visit Nacpan with a tour. Nacpan Beach is just one of the many stops on El Nido Tour E or inland tour. Although you’ll only be on the Beach for a short period, it’s still worth joining if you don’t want the hassle of planning your itinerary while in El Nido.

*When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in El Nido check prices on Booking.com, we’ve found they are the best option and have a great cancellation policy.*

Recommended Hotel in El Nido – Cuna Hotel


Drone photo showing Nacpan and the sandy peninsula

What Tours Go to Nacpan Beach

Nacpan Beach is one of the most picturesque places to visit in El Nido. Many visitors consider it to be one of the top ten beaches in the Philippines! To make the most of your time there, consider one of the following tours.

DIY Motorbike Tour

The journey from El Nido to Nacpan Beach is almost as exciting as visiting the beach itself! For just a few dollars, you’ll be able to hire a motorbike for the entire day, which means you can explore the area at your leisure.

Before you reach the beach, you’ll drive through local villages, farms, and even be able to check out the stunning Nagkalit Kalit Waterfall.

Twin Beach Tours

If you’re looking to hit two birds (or in this case, beaches) with one stone, then consider joining a Twin Beach Tour. Not only does this tour include some time on Nacpan Beach, but it also stops by the neighboring Calitang Beach. It’s a short walk, but you’ll be rewarded with dramatic panoramic views of Nacpan Beach from afar.

Related Post: Visiting El Nido’s Snake Island


Things to Do on Nacpan Beach

Once you arrive in Nacpan, you’ll have several options for activities. We recommend going for the entire day, so you can make the most of everything this picturesque beach has to offer!

sailboat with a red sail parked on Nacpan Beach

1. Sail & Snorkel Tour

Right from the beach, you can take a short one-hour tour on a sailboat for a nice boat ride and snorkel trip. It’s not as grand as the island hopping tours from El Nido, but for only 500 Pesos, it’s definitely worth doing.

beach chair and restaurants in the Nacpan Area

2. Relaxing

As soon as you set foot on the sugar-soft sand at Nacpan Beach, you’ll want to simply chill and relax. Lined with swaying palm trees, this 2.5-mile-long beach is ideal for sunbathing, picnics, and splashing around in the water.

The entire beach feels secluded, and you won’t have to worry about mass groups of tourists or crowds interrupting your tranquil visit. If the sun gets too hot, you can always take a dip in the refreshing waters of the ocean.

Related Article: Best Restaurants in El Nido

Restaurant in the Nacpan Beach Area of El Nido

3. Dining and Drinking

What’s a little bit of relaxation without an ice-cold beer? Thankfully, Nacpan Beach is lined with several shops and restaurants.

Whether you’re looking for freshly grilled seafood or mouthwatering sandwiches, you’ll find something delicious at one of these restaurants. Grab a drink and a bite to eat and sit down at the outdoor terrace to soak in the sun.

people enjoying the nightlife at Nacpan Beach - Mad Monkey

4. Nightlife

Nacpan Beach has some of the best nightlife outside of El Nido. Head to the Mad Monkey Hostel, which puts on entertaining events almost every night of the week. Test your knowledge in a pub quiz, play a round of beer pong, or join their weekly drinking and body painting party.

On Sundays, they even host a live DJ happy hour with unlimited drinks and games. If you’re looking for an epic night in paradise, the Mad Monkey Hostel has you covered.


Glamping on Nacpan Beach

Can’t get enough of Nacpan Beach? Then consider spending a few days glamping in one of their luxury tents. Enjoy the comforts of a five-star hotel with the unique experience of sleeping on the beach underneath the stars.

Nacpan Beach Glamping also offers a variety of activities to its guests, including complimentary sunset sailing, coconut leaf origami, and nightly campfire roasts.


Photos of Nacpan Beach

Sunset Twin Beaches Palm Trees
Sunset Nacpan Panorama
Sunset Nacpan Beache Palm Trees
Nacpan Beach Sunset 1
Beach Chairs on Nacpan Beach
beach chair and restaurants in the Nacpan Area
Drone Photo of Nacpan Beach outside of El Nido
Aerial Panorama of the islands infront of Nacpan Beach El Nido

Don’t Forget to Pin Me for Later!

Pin for Nacpan Beach El Nido - Sunset view from a drone over the beach and hills