Pangulasian Island is the most upscale of the El Nido Resorts properties and the best all-around honeymoon resort in Bacuit Bay. It occupies its own forested island on the south side of the bay, with a long beach, an infinity pool and just 42 villas. If you want El Nido's limestone lagoons by day and a private island by night, this is the one to book.
Every villa is spacious, at about 65 square meters plus a balcony. Six Pool Villas add a private plunge pool with bay views, which makes them the obvious honeymoon choice. Treetop Canopy Villas sit up to 18 meters above the forest floor and are the only villas with a bathtub. Packages usually include breakfast, guided island hopping and transfers from Lio airport. It suits couples who want comfort, privacy and easy access to the lagoons. Couples on a tighter budget, or who want nightlife and restaurants, are better off on the mainland at Lio or Marimegmeg.
Highlights at a glance
- Six Pool Villas with 22-square-meter private pools
- Treetop Canopy Villas with bathtubs
- Long private beach and infinity pool
- Guided island hopping from the resort
- Only 42 villas on the island
Why Couples Love Pangulasian
Most of El Nido's beauty is out on the water, but the town itself is crowded and loud. Pangulasian lets you skip that entirely. The boat drops you on a quiet island where the beach is long enough to find your own patch of sand, the forest comes right down to the villas and the evenings are given over to sunset cruises and dinner by the water.
The resort describes itself as eco-luxury. It shows in the design. Villas use natural materials and look out onto trees and sea rather than each other. Days follow a simple pattern: a guided boat trip to the lagoons in the morning, a long lunch, a swim and a sunset drink at the beach bar. The service is personal without being stiff, which suits a honeymoon well.
Villas to Book
All villas share the same generous footprint of about 65 square meters plus a 15-square-meter balcony, with Wi-Fi, a minibar and coffee and tea facilities.
- Pool Villas (6) have a 22-square-meter private pool off the balcony and sit in a quieter part of the island with bay views. This is the honeymoon pick.
- Canopy Villas (8) are raised 15 to 18 meters into the trees, reached by buggy or stairs along a forest boardwalk. They are the only villas with a bathtub.
- Beach Villas (24) open onto the sand near the infinity pool and beach bar.
- Kalaw Villas (4) form a private cluster in a secluded cove at the west end, sharing an 85-square-meter lap pool. They suit a group more than a couple.
With only six Pool Villas, book them early for peak months.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Breakfast is served at Amianan Restaurant and is included on most packages. During the day the beach bar and poolside grill keep things casual. You can order lunch without leaving the sand. Because you are on an island, you will eat most meals at the resort. Ask what your package covers before you arrive, since some offers include breakfast only and others add more meals.
The resort can set up a private dinner on the beach, which is a good way to mark the honeymoon properly. The spa offers massages and treatments that work well after a day of kayaking and snorkeling. Sunset cruises on the bay are another highlight and are worth booking for one of your first nights in case weather closes in later.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Guided island hopping is the heart of a stay. Resort boats take you to the Big and Small Lagoons, where you kayak through narrow gaps in the limestone into still green water. Boats also visit beaches and snorkeling spots around the bay. Because you leave from the resort rather than town, you can often time visits to avoid the main tour boats.
On the island, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkeling gear are available. El Nido Resorts also offers marine activities such as Hobie Cat sailing and guided snorkeling. One of you can join a dive while the other spends a morning at the spa or reading in the Pool Villa. Wear a rash guard and reef shoes, since limestone and coral are sharp. Use repellent in the evenings; dengue occurs in the Philippines, so if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
Getting There
Most couples fly from Manila to El Nido (Lio) Airport (ENI), a short flight on the small carriers that serve it. A resort representative meets you at arrivals for a 10 to 15 minute club car ride to the El Nido Resorts Jetty Lounge. From there, the boat ride to Pangulasian takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on tide and weather.
Boat schedules follow flight times, so confirm your arrival details with the resort at least two days ahead. Flying into Puerto Princesa (PPS) is cheaper but adds a five to six hour van ride, which eats into a short trip. The best weather runs from about November to May. Rain and wind from roughly June to October can disrupt boat trips, so allow a buffer day before any onward flight.
Is It Worth It?
Pangulasian is expensive by Philippine standards, with Canopy Villas starting at about PHP 61,000 a night and Pool Villas around PHP 71,000 or more. That is roughly $1,050 to $1,250 a night for two. What you get is a private island, very large villas, included island hopping on most packages and an easy, organized way to see El Nido's best lagoons.
For a once-in-a-lifetime trip, many couples find it worth every peso, especially in a Pool Villa. If your budget is tighter, Lagen Island offers a similar setup with a different feel, while the mainland beach hotels at Lio cost far less. Couples who like to wander between local restaurants every night may feel the island is limiting after a few days.
Insider tips
- Book a Pool Villa well ahead; there are only six.
- Confirm what meals your package covers, since some offers include breakfast only.
- Send your flight details at least two days before arrival so the boat matches your landing.
- Book a sunset cruise early in your stay in case weather turns later in the week.
