Where? Cadlao Island
Which ones? Bukal Beach, Natnat Beach and Cadlao Lagoon
Access? El Nido Island Hopping Tour D, or a private tour.
Limestone Cliffs? Not “A” cliff. But “THE” cliff. Cadlao Island’s prominent peak.
Palm Trees / Coconut Trees? It gets pretty dense on the private beach in front of Bukal Island. But I’m not sure if you can moor your boat there.
Sand Quality? Bukal Beach: coarse white with shells. Natnat Beach: Near-powdery white. Cadlao Lagoon: the pocket beach is quite shelly.
Water? Natnat is good for snorkeling. Bukal Beach is beautifully turquoise, but there’s debris. Don’t panic - it’s organic. Cadlao Lagoon? Definitely not as crowded as Big and Small Lagoon. But it’s not as impressive either. For completionists only.
Sunset? That’s a “no” for Bukal Beach, Natnat Beach and Cadlao Lagoon.
Best time for photography? An hour before sunset. Read: tall, towering limestone cliffs blocking the western sky. For Bukal Beach in particular, the noontime sun brings out water’s best color. If you’re doing underwater photography, as with any other location, shoot from 11:00AM to 2:00PM.
Crowded? Natnat is the crowd drawer here. But compared to the mainstream Trip Advisor-ish spots in El Nido (the Lagoons, Pinagbuyutan Island, Seven Commandos and Helicopter Island), there’s a bigger chance that you’ll have quality chill time in Cadlao Island.
Author’s Note? I shoot here often because there’s significantly fewer people. Cadlao Island’s geographic features are very picturesque.
Adventure engagement + travel couple + elopement wedding photos at Cadlao Island in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. Destination wedding photography in Southeast Asia x redsheep. Color remastered using redsheep Chromavictrix 160MC+, March 2022.