Solo Palawan: El Nido for Independent Travellers
El Nido's hidden lagoons with fellow like-minded travellers — single supplement waived on every departure
From
£2,295pp
About this tour
Most of our Philippines tours are private. But El Nido is also one of the world's great solo-traveller destinations — a place where shared wonder comes naturally, where a group of eight strangers from across the UK floating above the same turquoise lagoon will inevitably become something more than strangers by the end of day one. This small group tour (maximum eight guests, guaranteed) was specifically designed for solo travellers — and the single supplement is waived on every single departure. You pay the per-person price. You get a room to yourself. No compromise. Your guide is Marco dela Cruz, whose marine biology background and nine years of El Nido expertise make him the finest island-hopping guide in Palawan. The group is kept deliberately small — never more than eight — which means a single private boat for all island days, Marco's attention at all times, and none of the anonymity of conventional group touring. The itinerary follows the same El Nido highlights as our private Palawan tour — Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Helicopter Island, Cadlao Lagoon — with the addition of a group dinner at the best seafood restaurant in El Nido town and a shared cooking class with a local family on Day 6.
“Led by Marco dela Cruz, our Palawan specialist. Designed specifically for solo travellers — single supplement waived on every departure.”
Why this works for travellers over 50
- Single supplement waived on every departure — no solo premium
- Maximum 8 guests — intimate group dynamics, not a coach tour
- Marco dela Cruz — marine biologist and 9-year El Nido specialist
- Private boat for all island days — same experience as the private tour
- Group dinner and cooking class provide natural social occasions without pressure
- Miniloc Island Resort (El Nido Resorts) — one of the finest boutique resorts in Asia
- Solo room guaranteed — your own space throughout
Request a Callback
Price per person — based on two travelling together.
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Your journey
Day-by-day itinerary
1Arrival in Puerto Princesa — Group Welcome
Puerto Princesa
Arrival dayPrincesa Garden Island Resort, Puerto Princesa
Arrival in Puerto Princesa — Group Welcome
Puerto Princesa
Arrive at Puerto Princesa Airport (individual arrivals throughout the day). Private transfer to the Princesa Garden Island Resort. Group welcome dinner in the evening — Marco introduces the itinerary and the group meets for the first time over a Filipino feast of sinigang, kare-kare and fresh lumpia.
2Puerto Princesa Underground River
Puerto Princesa
GentlePrincesa Garden Island Resort, Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa Underground River
Puerto Princesa
Group visit to the UNESCO World Heritage underground river — Marco's geology and bat-colony commentary in the cathedral-sized limestone chambers. Pre-booked 08:00 entry to avoid crowds. Afternoon free in Puerto Princesa. Group dinner at a local seafood restaurant.
3Scenic Transfer to El Nido — Miniloc Island
Puerto Princesa → El Nido
Travel day with beach stopEl Nido Resorts Miniloc Island
Scenic Transfer to El Nido — Miniloc Island
Puerto Princesa → El Nido
Scenic van transfer north along the Palawan coastal road to El Nido, with stops at Nacpan Beach (one of the Philippines' finest undeveloped beaches) and a roadside lechon lunch. Board the resort boat to Miniloc Island. Check in and settle in for a late-afternoon snorkel from the jetty before sunset dinner at the resort.
4Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon & Shimizu Reef
El Nido
ModerateEl Nido Resorts Miniloc Island
Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon & Shimizu Reef
El Nido
The group's private boat departs at 08:30 — ahead of the day-trip flotillas. Big Lagoon by kayak in near-silence. Secret Lagoon through the limestone cliff entrance at low tide. Snorkelling at Shimizu Island reef — one of the richest coral gardens in Bacuit Bay. Lunch on a deserted sandbar. Marco leads a group conversation about reef ecology over lunch.
5Small Lagoon & Snake Island
El Nido
GentleEl Nido Resorts Miniloc Island
Small Lagoon & Snake Island
El Nido
Small Lagoon — intimate, crystal-clear, enclosed by fern-draped limestone walls. Snorkelling at Pinasil Island's submerged cathedral cave. Snake Island sandbar at low tide. Afternoon free at Miniloc Resort.
6Cadlao & Helicopter Island — Cooking Class
El Nido
GentleEl Nido Resorts Miniloc Island
Cadlao & Helicopter Island — Cooking Class
El Nido
Marco's private northern island route: Cadlao Lagoon (largest and most pristine) and Helicopter Island beach. Afternoon: a group Filipino cooking class with a local Palawan family — kare-kare (oxtail peanut stew), adobo chicken and fresh coconut rice, eaten together as a group dinner. One of the tour's most natural social evenings.
7El Nido Town — Market & Farewell Dinner
El Nido
GentleEl Nido Resorts Miniloc Island
El Nido Town — Market & Farewell Dinner
El Nido
Morning boat to El Nido town — market, craft stalls, heritage church, halo-halo. Free afternoon — optional kayak, snorkel, beach or resort spa. Farewell group dinner at La Plage seafood restaurant in El Nido town, with views over the bay and the limestone islands at dusk.
8El Nido Departure
El Nido → Manila
Departure day
El Nido Departure
El Nido → Manila
Early morning boat to El Nido airstrip. Group flight El Nido–Manila. Individual onward connections or private transfer to Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Like what you see?
Our specialists can tailor every day to your preferences.
Fitness & mobility
Pacing & accessibility
A relaxed, boat-based itinerary with optional snorkelling and short beach walks. Perfect for solo travellers who enjoy shared experiences without the pressure of group tours. No day starts before 08:30.
Walking
Minimal. All island days are boat-based with optional snorkelling. El Nido town is flat. No day exceeds 3km of walking.
Transport
Group minivan for road transfers. Private chartered banca boat for all island-hopping. Internal flights.
Altitude
All at sea level.
Heat / Climate
El Nido 28–33°C year-round. All departures are in the dry season (November–May). Boat trips have covered shade.
Accommodation
Your hotels
Princesa Garden Island Resort
★★★★Puerto Princesa, Palawan · 2 nights
A comfortable garden resort on the outskirts of Puerto Princesa — ideal for the group's first two nights, with generous grounds and a relaxed atmosphere.
- Tropical garden setting
- Good Filipino breakfast buffet
- Relaxed group first-night atmosphere
- Convenient for Underground River tours
El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island
★★★★★Miniloc Island, El Nido · 5 nights
The Philippines' finest boutique eco-resort, on a private island in Bacuit Bay. The group occupies individual rooms and cottages — each guest has a private space — while sharing the communal beach, restaurant and boat programme.
- Private island — no public access
- Individual private rooms for each guest
- Water and beach cottage options
- House reef direct snorkelling
- Award-winning restaurant and bar
Enhance your trip
Pre-Tour Manila Night
+£185
Arrive in Manila the night before the group gathers in Puerto Princesa. One night at The Henry Hotel Manila, with airport transfer. Ensures no risk of missing the group departure due to international flight delays.
per person
Coron Extension (Private)
+£795
After the group tour ends, continue independently to Coron for 3 nights of WWII wreck snorkelling and Twin Lagoon. Marco arranges the fast boat booking and Two Seasons Resort accommodation.
per person supplement
Pricing
Holiday pricing
All prices are per person, based on two people sharing. We arrange departures throughout the year to suit your preferred dates.
Starting from
£2,295
per person · 2 sharing
Full details
What’s included & not included
Included in your price
- 7 nights accommodation: Puerto Princesa 2n, El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island 5n
- Solo room throughout — single supplement waived on all departures
- Expert guide Marco dela Cruz for all 8 days
- Puerto Princesa Underground River tour
- All island-hopping on a private boat (Days 4, 5, 6) — group of max 8
- Group Filipino cooking class on Day 6
- All snorkelling equipment throughout
- All internal flights: Manila–Puerto Princesa, El Nido–Manila
- All private transfers and group transport
- Daily breakfast; group dinners on Days 1, 2 and 7; lunches on boat days
- All entrance fees
- ATOL financial protection
Not included
- Travel insurance (required)
- Lunches and dinners not listed above
- Personal expenses and optional activities
- Spa treatments at Miniloc Resort
Your specialist
Who will plan your holiday
Marco dela Cruz
Marco is the guide for all solo departures to El Nido and has been leading this specific small group programme since its launch in 2022. His ability to create a warm, natural group dynamic from eight strangers is as remarked upon by guests as his marine biology expertise. He understands the needs of solo travellers — the desire for both company and privacy — and manages the group's social energy with great skill. Guests on this tour consistently describe the group experience as one of the best travel decisions they've ever made.
Tailor-made
Like this tour but want it adapted?
Extra nights, alternative hotels, private transfers — our specialists will build your perfect itinerary from scratch.
What our guests say
Guest reviews
The best travel decision I've made in years
“I've been travelling solo for a decade and this was the first time I've joined a group tour. Marco's skill at making eight strangers feel like old friends by Day 2 is extraordinary. The El Nido lagoons are simply the most beautiful places I've ever been. The single supplement waiver made it genuinely affordable.”
Alison Mackenzie
Aberdeen · 2025-02-25
Solo travel without the loneliness
“I'd been nervous about a group tour after some bad experiences with large coach groups. Eight people is exactly right — intimate enough to be genuine, small enough for Marco to give everyone personal attention. My room at Miniloc Island was perfect. The farewell dinner in El Nido town was genuinely emotional.”
Bernard Hutchins
Bristol · 2025-01-18
El Nido exceeded every expectation
“I came home having seen sights I'd dreamed about for years and having made three genuine friendships. Marco is remarkable — funny, knowledgeable, patient and perceptive. The Big Lagoon is as extraordinary as people say. Miniloc Island Resort is one of the loveliest places on Earth.”
Linda Forrester
York · 2024-12-14
Worth every penny and more
“The no-single-supplement policy is what drew me in initially. What I got was so much more. Marco's group is wonderfully curated — eight people who all turned out to be interesting, compatible and genuinely fun. The lagoons and reefs were spectacular. I've already booked the 12-day circuit for next year.”
Robert Saunders
Cambridge · 2025-03-01
Beautiful and well-organised
“The tour itself was wonderful — El Nido is as magical as promised and Marco is a superb guide. The only minor frustration was a weather delay on the Day 5 boat trip which meant we missed Pinasil Island. Marco rerouted immediately and found an equally good alternative, so no complaints really. Would absolutely recommend.”
Catherine Whitmore
London · 2025-02-10
Before you go
Practical information
Visa requirements
British passport holders: visa-free entry for up to 30 days, extendable. No advance application needed.
Currency
Philippine Peso (PHP). ATMs in Puerto Princesa and El Nido town. Miniloc Island Resort accepts major credit cards.
Tipping
PHP 500–1,000 per day for Marco is appreciated. PHP 200 per day for drivers. Boat crew: PHP 200–300 split across the group.
Electricity
220V, Type A/B sockets (US-style flat pins). Universal adapter recommended.
Health & vaccinations
Hepatitis A and Typhoid recommended. Malaria prophylaxis advised for Palawan. Consult your GP 6–8 weeks before travel.
Flights
Included: Puerto Princesa–El Nido van transfer; El Nido–Manila domestic flight. Not included: international flights to Manila.
Local transport
Group minivan for road transfers. Private chartered banca boat for all island days. All included in tour price.
Travel with like-minded people
Join a Small Group Departure
Prefer to travel with a small group of fellow over-50s rather than as a couple or solo? Our fixed-departure group tours put you alongside eight to twelve like-minded travellers with a dedicated tour manager for the entire journey.
- Maximum 12 travellers — intimate by design
- Dedicated tour manager throughout
- Social dinners and shared discoveries
- Single supplement waived on selected departures
- Like-minded over-50s travellers
- No single friends needed — just arrive and enjoy
Register Your Interest
Tell us your preferred dates and travel companions — we’ll match you with the right departure and send full details.
Our team will respond within 1 working day.
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is the single supplement really waived on every departure?
Yes, without exception. This tour was built specifically for solo travellers and the advertised price includes a private room throughout. There is no single supplement on any departure. The price you see is the price you pay.
What happens if the group doesn't get on?
With a maximum of eight people carefully selected from a similar demographic (typically UK travellers over 50), the chemistry is almost always excellent. In the rare case of an interpersonal difficulty, Marco manages it discreetly and professionally. We have been running this departure format since 2022 and have not had a single complaint about group dynamics.
Can I book this tour as a couple or small group?
Yes — couples and small groups are welcome on the solo tour, as the group pricing is per person and the maximum of 8 applies to the total. A couple or pair of friends travelling together will benefit from the same itinerary, guide and hotels, sharing the boat with other solo travellers.
How do I get to Puerto Princesa for Day 1?
Fly from London to Manila (approximately 13–14 hours), then take the domestic flight to Puerto Princesa (1 hour 10 minutes). We include the Puerto Princesa–El Nido and El Nido–Manila domestic flights in the tour price, but guests arrange their own Manila flights. We can book international flights as an add-on.
Is El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island suitable for solo travellers?
Perfectly. The resort has individual private rooms and cottages — you have your own space at all times. The communal areas (restaurant, beach, bar) provide natural social spaces when you want company. The group dynamic at Miniloc is an asset — meals and sunset drinks are natural gathering points without being compulsory.
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